Program Length
- 4 Years
Credential
- Bachelor Degree
Options
- Major
- Minor
Fully Available at
- Nanaimo
Partially Available at
- Cowichan
- tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
Do you want to write for a living? In VIU’s Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and Journalism program, learn the skills you need to become a master of words from professors who are published, award-winning authors, poets and journalists.
Experience small class sizes for a unique workshop format in many creative writing courses, and more one-on-one time with instructors at Vancouver Island University's journalism school.
Whether you want to work in the publishing, entertainment or journalism industries, this degree in Journalism and Creative Writing will sharpen your literary skills and introduce you to the realities of working as a professional writer.
The Creative Writing and Journalism (BA) Program
The Creative Writing and Journalism department offers introductory, intermediate and advanced-level courses in book publishing, dramatic writing (including writing for the stage and scriptwriting for radio, television and film), fiction, journalism, and poetry, leading to a B.A. with a Major or Minor in Creative Writing and a B.A. with a Minor in Journalism. Students have the opportunity to combine applied and creative writing skills with a background in all aspects of print and electronic publishing including editing, distribution, promotion, and production of print materials.
Note: some courses may not be offered every year.
Requirements for a Creative Writing Major
Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below.
Note: All senior-level courses require completion of at least one prerequisite course at the 200-level; students must attain a minimum grade of “B-” in the prerequisite course in order to progress to a senior-level course in the same genre.
| Years 1 and 2 | Credits |
|---|---|
| Minimum twelve credits (four courses) of 100 and 200-level CREW courses. | 12 |
| Select a minimum of nine credits (three courses). Choose at least one course from three of the following five genres: 1. Non-fiction CREW 100 - (Intro to Writing Journalism) CREW 200 - (Intermediate Journalism) CREW 201 - (Online Journalism) CREW 202 - (Introduction to Writing Creative Non-Fiction) CREW 203 - (Memoir Writing Workshop) 2. Poetry CREW 110 - (Intro to Writing Poetry) CREW 211 - (Intermediate Poetry Workshop) CREW 212 - (Poetic Traditions) 3. Fiction CREW 120 - (Intro to Writing Fiction) CREW 220 - (Writing Short Fiction) CREW 221 - (Genre Fiction Workshop) 4. Publishing CREW 230 - (Introduction to Publishing) 5. Drama CREW 140 - (Intro to Writing Drama) CREW 240 - (Writing Short-Form Scripts for the Stage, Screen or Television) CREW 241 - (Writing Longer-Form Scripts for the Stage, Screen or Television) | 9 |
| Total Credits | 21 |
Note: All 200-level courses have a 100-level prerequisite. Also, note that students must complete 200-level courses in at least three genres in order to have sufficient prerequisites for entry into courses in three genres at the senior level.
| Years 3 and 4 | Credits |
|---|---|
| Minimum twenty-one credits (seven courses) of 300 and 400-level CREW courses. | 21 |
| Select a minimum of nine credits (three courses). Choose at least one course from three of the following five genres*: 1. Non-fiction CREW 300 - (Creative Non-Fiction Workshop) CREW 301 - (Advanced Feature Writing) CREW 400 - (Researching for Creative Non-Fiction) CREW 401 - (Long-Form Non-Fiction) CREW 402 - (Online Magazine Production) CREW 452** - (Special Projects in Writing and Publishing) ENGL 315 - (Advanced Workshop in Composition) 2. Poetry CREW 310 - (Advanced Poetry Workshop I) CREW 311 - (Long Form Poetry Workshop) CREW 312 - (Writing Poetry in a Variety of Forms) CREW 410 - (Advanced Poetry Workshop II) 3. Fiction CREW 320 - (Advanced Short Fiction Workshop) CREW 321 - (Novel, Novella, and Story Sequence Workshop) CREW 322 - (Writing for Young Adults Workshop) CREW 420 - (Experimental and Speculative Fiction Workshop) CREW 422 - (Advanced Novel Workshop) CREW 425 - (Mystery Writing Workshop) 4. Publishing CREW 330 - (Professional Editing) CREW 331 - (Book Publishing) CREW 402 - (Online Magazine Production) CREW 430 - (Publishing Workshop I) CREW 431 - (Publishing Workshop II) CREW 452** - (Special Projects in Writing and Publishing) 5. Drama CREW 340 - (Advanced Screenwriting Workshop) CREW 341 - (Advanced Stage Play Writing Workshop) CREW 440 - (Writing for Television Workshop) CREW 441 - (Digital Storytelling) CREW 442 - (Script Development Workshop) | 9 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
* Directed Studies courses CREW 450 - (Directed Studies in Writing and Publishing I) and CREW 451 - (Directed Studies in Writing and Publishing II) may, depending on the nature of the project, be used to satisfy genre requirements for any of the five genres.
** CREW 452 - (Special Projects in Writing and Publishing) can be used to meet either Non-fiction or Publishing categories depending on the nature of the student's project.
Note: Upper-level Creative Writing (CREW) courses can be taken no more than twice for credit.
Requirements for a Creative Writing Minor
Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below.
Note: All senior-level courses require completion of at least one prerequisite course at the 200-level; students must attain a minimum grade of “B-” in the prerequisite course in order to progress to a senior-level course in the same genre.
Note: Required courses applied to the Journalism Minor may not also be applied to another Major or Minor.
| Years 1 and 2 | Credits |
|---|---|
| Select a minimum of six credits (two courses) from the following list: CREW 100 - (Intro to Writing Journalism) CREW 110 - (Intro to Writing Poetry) CREW 120 - (Intro to Writing Fiction) CREW 140 - (Intro to Writing Drama) | 6 |
| Select a minimum of six credits (two courses) from the following list: CREW 200 - (Intermediate Journalism) CREW 201 - (Online Journalism) CREW 202 - (Introduction to Writing Creative Non-Fiction) CREW 211 - (Intermediate Poetry Workshop) CREW 212 - (Poetic Traditions) CREW 220 - (Writing Short Fiction) CREW 221 - (Genre Fiction Workshop) CREW 230 - (Introduction to Publishing) CREW 240 - (Writing Short-Form Scripts for the Stage, Screen or Television) CREW 241 - (Writing Longer-Form Scripts for the Stage, Screen or Television) | 6 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
| Years 3 and 4 | Credits |
|---|---|
| Select a minimum of eighteen credits (six courses) of CREW courses 300-level and above. | 18 |
| Total Credits | 18 |
Note: Students taking CREW 300 - (Creative Non-Fiction Workshop) and/or CREW 301 - (Advanced Feature Writing) may use ENGL 315 - (Advanced Workshop in Composition) as part of their upper-level credits.
Note: Upper-level Creative Writing (CREW) courses can be taken no more than twice for credit.
Recommended Electives
Courses in English, Graphic Design, Media Studies, Music, Theatre, or Visual Arts are recommended. Students wishing to pursue careers in journalism should consider taking upper-level courses in Digital Media Studies, History, Political Studies, Economics, Media Studies, Philosophy, Sociology, or Women's Studies.
Requirements for a Journalism Minor
Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below.
Note: All senior-level courses require completion of at least one prerequisite course at the 200-level; students must attain a minimum grade of “B-” in the prerequisite course in order to progress to a senior-level course in the same genre.
| Years 1 and 2 | Credits |
|---|---|
| CREW 100 - (Intro to Writing Journalism) | 3 |
| CREW 200 - (Intermediate Journalism) | 3 |
| CREW 201 - (Online Journalism) | 3 |
| CREW 230 - (Introduction to Publishing) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
| Years 3 and 4 | Credits |
|---|---|
| CREW 301 - (Advanced Feature Writing) | 3 |
| CREW 330 - (Professional Editing) | 3 |
| MEDI 302 - (Making the News) | 3 |
| CREW 400 - (Researching for Creative Non-Fiction) | 3 |
| CREW 401 - (Long-Form Non-Fiction) | 3 |
| CREW 402 - (Online Magazine Production) | 3 |
| CREW 475 - (Internships in Writing and Publishing) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 21 |
Note: Upper-level Creative Writing (CREW) courses can be taken no more than twice for credit.
Recommended Electives
Students are advised to consider completing a Major in a complementary discipline such as Political Studies, Economics, History, Sociology, First Nations Studies, Women's Studies, Business, Criminology, or Global Studies.
Domestic Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees for One Year* | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (30 credits x $166.40 per credit) | 4,992.00 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) | 159.76 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) | 176.40 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) | 220.80 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year | 1,500.00 |
| Total | 7,333.96 |
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
International Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees for One Year* | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (30 credits x $799.77 per credit) | 23,993.10 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) | 159.76 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) | 176.40 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) | 220.80 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year | 1,500.00 |
| Total | 26,335.06 |
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
Domestic (Canadian)
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| to | Nanaimo | ||
|
Next Intake(s):
The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June.
Application Fee:
45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk Phone: 250.746.3512 Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:
Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca. |
|||
| Ongoing | tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River) - Partially Available | ||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Waitlist:
No
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erin Johnson Phone: 604.485.8033 Email: Erin.Johnson@viu.ca
Comments:
Please consult Student Services/Advising at 604.485.2878 or email PR.StudentAffairs@viu.ca for more information on program or admission requirements. |
|||
| to | Cowichan - Partially Available | ||
|
Next Intake(s):
The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June.
Application Fee:
45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk Phone: 250.746.3512 Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:
Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca. |
|||
| to | Nanaimo | ||
|
Next Intake(s):
The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June.
Application Fee:
45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk Phone: 250.746.3512 Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:
Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca. |
|||
| to | Cowichan - Partially Available | ||
|
Next Intake(s):
The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June.
Application Fee:
45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk Phone: 250.746.3512 Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:
Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca. |
|||
| to | Nanaimo | ||
|
Next Intake(s):
The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June.
Application Fee:
45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk Phone: 250.746.3512 Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:
Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca. |
|||
| to | Cowichan - Partially Available | ||
|
Next Intake(s):
The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June.
Application Fee:
45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk Phone: 250.746.3512 Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:
Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca. |
|||
| to | Nanaimo | ||
|
Next Intake(s):
The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June.
Application Fee:
45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk Phone: 250.746.3512 Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:
Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca. |
|||
| Ongoing | tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River) - Partially Available | ||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Waitlist:
No
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erin Johnson Phone: 604.485.8033 Email: Erin.Johnson@viu.ca
Comments:
Please consult Student Services/Advising at 604.485.2878 or email PR.StudentAffairs@viu.ca for more information on program or admission requirements. |
|||
| to | Cowichan - Partially Available | ||
|
Next Intake(s):
The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June.
Application Fee:
45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk Phone: 250.746.3512 Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:
Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca. |
|||
International
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| to | Nanaimo | ||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Waitlist:
No
Testing Required:
No
International Admissions Officer Contact:
Name: Elham Akhoundi Email: study@viu.ca
Comments:
For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to WorldVIU@viu.ca. |
|||
| to | Nanaimo | ||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Next Intake(s):
The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.
Application Fee:
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Waitlist:
No
Testing Required:
No
International Admissions Officer Contact:
Name: Elham Akhoundi Email: Study@viu.ca
Comments:
For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to WorldVIU@viu.ca. |
|||
| to | Nanaimo | ||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Waitlist:
No
Testing Required:
No
International Admissions Officer Contact:
Name: Elham Akhoundi Email: study@viu.ca
Comments:
For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to WorldVIU@viu.ca. |
|||
Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.
Visit the Department WebsitePrevious versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.