Creative Writing – Liberal Arts Diploma

Program Details

Length: 2 years

Total Credits: 60

Intake Terms: Fall

Delivery Method: In-person

Campus: Castlegar

Cost:

Approximate program cost

Student Loans:

This program is eligible for student loans

Credential Received

Diploma in Liberal Arts Creative Writing

Overview

Program Summary

Whether you are interested in taking individual courses or pursuing a creative writing diploma/degree, Selkirk College welcomes you. Join the program’s core faculty, as well as guest speakers and visiting writers who will take you on an exciting journey designed to immerse you in creative processes and help you find your voice.

What defines our creative writing program is a community of writers composed of small class sizes and intimate workshops. Gain confidence in communicating your ideas in a truly magical setting. Imagine sitting by the confluence of the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers to draft a poem or walking along the Castlegar campus trails—a significant gathering place for Indigenous Peoples—to conjure the final scene in your short story. In Nelson, classes are held at the Tenth Street Campus, also home to Selkirk’s renowned Digital Arts and Music programs.

Situated in one of the most beautiful regions on earth, Selkirk College offers a safe, peaceful and vibrant sense of place for writers to explore their imaginations in fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama. Our creative writing classes are fully transferable to universities across Canada.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of an Associate of Arts or Liberal Arts Diploma program, learners will be able to:

Explain terms, concepts and theories of the discipline(s)
Read, write and communicate effectively and creatively across academic disciplines
Ask informed questions to deepen the level of enquiry
Use quantitative and qualitative evidence to support claims
Research and analyze evidence from scholarly and professional publications
Synthesize and summarize literature and data
Demonstrate developing critical, creative thinking and problem-solving skills
Use current and emerging technology
Demonstrate collaborative skills in a multicultural environment
Conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner in an academic environment

Program Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements to Selkirk College, as outlined in Policy 8600: Pre-Admissions Basic Skills Assessment (College Readiness Tool CRT), and Policy 8611: Admissions, Applicants to the University Arts and Sciences Program must meet the following requirements to be considered fully qualified:

Academic

a) Students entering UAS courses, with the exceptions in 2- below, require at least 60% or better in English Studies 12, or equivalent. Students who do not meet this requirement must write the Language Proficiency Index (LPI) test and achieve a minimum of level 4 to attain equivalency.

b) French 102, Spanish 102, and English 51 do not require B.C. English Studies 12 or equivalent as a prerequisite. However, students enrolled in the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program wishing to take English 51 will be governed by the relevant policies and procedures of the International Education Program.

c) The English Studies 12 prerequisite may be waived for exceptional grade 12 students in the Transitions Program. Credit for transitions courses will be withheld until a grade of 60% or better in English Studies 12 is achieved.

d) Students whose first language is not English must fulfill the College’s English language proficiency requirement. See Policy 8611: Admissions.

e) Additional admission requirements may be necessary for particular certificate programs, diploma programs or associate degrees. Course prerequisites and program admission requirements are defined in the appendices at the end of this document, in the Selkirk College calendar, and on the College website www.selkirk.ca

f) Mature students must meet the English Studies 12 requirement and additional course requirements as specified in the college calendar.

Additional Requirements

Students whose first language is not English must fulfill the college’s English language proficiency requirement. See Policy 8611: Admissions.
Mature students must meet the English 12 requirement.
If you are a student who lacks the admission requirements, you may still gain entry to the program by taking a combination of Academic Upgrading and university courses in your first year. This may extend the length of your program.

Graduation and Promotion

Selkirk College awards a Liberal Arts Diploma in Creative Writing to students who complete at least sixty (60) credits of University Arts and Sciences courses with a “P” grade or better in each course, achieves a minimum GPA of 2.00, and whose course selection meets the following criteria:

· Two semester courses in first-year English.

· Creative Writing 100 and 101

· Creative Writing 200 and 201

· English 200 and English 201

· English 202 or 204; English 203 or 205

· A minimum of 10 semester courses in first- or second-year Arts and Science courses other than first-year English.

· Up to a maximum of six courses may be from other subjects, as long as they are at the 100-level or higher and are transferable as per the BC Transfer Guide.

The following is the selection of courses that may be chosen for this diploma. Students are advised to meet with an academic counsellor to discuss their course selection.

GRADUATION/CERTIFICATES

Diplomas

The School of University Arts and Science offers a number of diploma programs. Completion of the diploma program requires a student to complete at least sixty (60) credits of University Arts and Science courses in selected areas with a “P” grade or better in each course, and a minimum GPA of 2.00. The admission requirements, graduation requirements, and course of studies for each diploma program are defined in individual program pages in the Selkirk College calendar, and on the college website www.selkirk.ca

Program Courses

Term 1

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required Courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
CWRT100	Introduction to Creative Writing I	3.00	45
ENGL110	College Composition	3.00	45
ELECTIVE	ELECTIVE	3.00	45
ELECTIVE	ELECTIVE	3.00	45
ELECTIVE	ELECTIVE	3.00	45

Elective Courses

The following is a suggested selection of courses. Students are advised to meet with a Selkirk College counsellor to discuss course options.

Take three (3) general elective 100-level courses.

See the UAS Courses by discipline page for course selections.

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Term 2

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required Courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
CWRT101	Introduction to Creative Writing II	3.00	45
ENGL111	Introduction to Literature	3.00	45
ELECTIVE	ELECTIVE	3.00	45
ELECTIVE	ELECTIVE	3.00	45
ELECTIVE	ELECTIVE	3.00	45

Elective Courses

The following is a suggested selection of courses. Students are advised to meet with a Selkirk College counsellor to discuss course options.

Take three (3) general elective 100-level courses.

See the UAS Courses by discipline page for course selections.

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Term 3

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required Courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
CWRT200	Manuscript Development I	3.00	60
ENGL200	A Survey of English Literature I	3.00	45
ELECTIVE	ELECTIVE	3.00	45
ELECTIVE	ELECTIVE	3.00	45
ELECTIVE	ELECTIVE	3.00	45

Plus one (1) additional 200 level English course.

Elective Courses

The following is a suggested selection of courses. Students are advised to meet with a Selkirk College counsellor to discuss course options.

Take two (2) general elective 100- or 200-level courses.

See the UAS Courses by discipline page for course selections.

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Term 4

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required Courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
CWRT201	Manuscript Development II	3.00	60
ENGL201	A Survey of English Literature II	3.00	45
ELECTIVE	ELECTIVE	3.00	45
ELECTIVE	ELECTIVE	3.00	45
ELECTIVE	ELECTIVE	3.00	45

Plus one (1) additional 200 level English course.

Elective Courses

The following is a suggested selection of courses. Students are advised to meet with a Selkirk College counsellor to discuss course options.

Take two (2) general elective 100- or 200-level courses.

See the UAS Courses by discipline page for course selections.

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Additional Program Policies

Effective Term: Fall, Winter, Spring

Effective Year: 20240801

Advanced Standing:

A. ADVANCE CREDIT

1. Transfer credit in first and second year UAS courses will be given for equivalent courses taken in the last ten years (five years recommended for Biology) from an accredited post-secondary institution. All prerequisite courses require a minimum grade of 60%. Students who have completed such course(s) more than ten years earlier (five years recommended for Biology) require permission from the School Chair to receive transfer credit at Selkirk College.

B. PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT (PLA) Selkirk College Policy 8614 Advanced Standing: Course Challenge, and Transfer Credit.

1. Students may apply to prove their currency in an individual course by challenging the course(s) in question under the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process.

2. The School Chair in consultation with the appropriate faculty member(s) will decide whether a student may undertake a course challenge through PLA. Students should be aware that some universities may not accept credits received through the PLA process.

3. Students must apply for transfer credit or PLA in a timely manner so that they may register for the course in question if transfer credit(s) is denied or PLA is unsuccessful.

Assessment:

a) Grading will be as defined in Selkirk College Policy 8612. The grading table applicable to each course will be identified on the course outline.

a) Students need to complete all the components of a course as indicated on the course outline. Students failing to meet this criterion will receive a maximum grade of 49 percent.

b) Courses with a lab/seminar and lecture may require passing both lecture and lab/seminar in order to pass the course. If this requirement applies to a course, the requirement will be noted in the course outline.

c) For some online courses, students must pass the final exam to receive a passing grade in the course regardless of their grade to date, and students who fail the final exam will receive a maximum grade of 49%. If this requirement applies to an online course, the requirement will be noted in the course outline.

d) If an assignment is not submitted by the due date identified on the course outline, the mark for the assignment could be reduced by as much as 100%. Students seeking an extension must consult with their instructors. It is the right of individual instructors to implement this policy. All instructors will outline their policies with respect to missed or late assignments in their current course outlines.

Grading Table: Standard Academic and Career Programs

Types of Assessments:

Types of Evaluations (i.e., exams, seminar assignments, essays, reports, group projects, presentations, demonstrations, etc.)

a) Students are evaluated and graded in each subject or course topic as indicated in the respective course outline.

b) Exams, essays, projects, reports, assignments, and other evaluative activities are weighted and averaged as indicated in the respective course outline.

Program Specific Regulations:

A. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM (Policy 8618: Cheating and Plagiarism)

The School of University Arts and Sciences values true academic endeavour, and believes that evaluative events including examinations, essays, reports, and other assignments should honestly reflect student learning. All students are governed by Policy 8618: Cheating and Plagiarism. It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with content of this policy and to seek clarification from an instructor when needed.

B. ACADEMIC PROGRESS (Promotion)

Students academic progress is governed by Policy 8615:

a) Students must meet all course prerequisites.

b) Students who are found to be without the required grade in the prerequisite course or who have not received permission from the instructor and School Chair may be withdrawn.

C. PROBATION (Policy 8619: Student Probation)

Students may be placed on academic probation, behavioural probation, or both in accordance with Policy 8619: Probation is not intended to be punitive; however, the conditions of the probation must be met to be removed from probation and failure to meet the conditions will have consequences that may include withdrawal from a course or program.

D. WITHDRAWING

Students may choose to, or be required to withdraw from, the course(s), the program or the College as per Selkirk College Policy 8616: Withdrawal. This policy governs procedures, deadlines, refunds, and the consequences of withdrawing.

E. APPEAL (Policy 8400: Student Appeals)

The educational process at Selkirk College incorporates the joint efforts of students and the services provided to the students by the institution. Although in most instances students and the College faculty, administration and staff cooperate during the learning process, Selkirk College recognizes that occasional disputes between students and the College can arise. To every extent possible, disagreements should be resolved through informal discussions between the parties involved. If this discussion does not bring resolution, the procedures outlined in Policy 8400 apply.

Attendance:

1. Attendance at scheduled lectures, laboratories, field trips, seminars, tutorials, and examinations is mandatory.

2. Students absent from class for any reasons are responsible for the work they have missed. They must make up assignments as required, usually within two weeks of the missed class. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor when an absence is required.

Other regulations:

Examination Policy

a) Final examinations are held in most courses during the examination period at the end of each semester. The dates of the examination period are listed on the Selkirk College Website.

b) Students will not be permitted to write final examinations at alternate times unless there is a compelling reason. Examples of compelling reasons include: illness (documented), death in the family (documented), jury duty and traffic accident. Examples of non-compelling reasons: family vacation/reunion, previously arranged travel plans (e.g., seat sales).

c) Academic honesty is expected. Therefore, the following will not be tolerated during exams:

(i) Making use of any books, notes or materials other than those authorized by the examiners.

(ii) Communicating with other candidates.

(iii) Exposing written papers to the view of other candidates.

(iv) Leaving the examination room unescorted during an exam.

(v) Unauthorized use of cell phones or other electronic devices.

(vi) Disciplinary action would, at a minimum, result in the examination paper being given a grade of zero.

(vii) Supplemental examinations are not available for School of University Arts and Science courses.