Creative Writing – Associate of Arts Degree

Program Details

Length: 2 years

Total Credits: 60

Intake Terms: Fall, Winter, Spring

Delivery Method: In-person

Campus: Castlegar

Credential: Associate Degree

Cost:

Approximate Program Cost

Student Loans:

This program is eligible for student loans

Credential Received

Associate of Arts Degree Creative Writing

Overview

Program Summary

In Selkirk College’s creative writing program, you’ll experience small class sizes, personalized one-on-one support, and a nurturing environment designed to cultivate creativity and build confidence in your writing. Our program offers dynamic, engaging opportunities for hands-on learning, tailored feedback, and the opportunity to be mentored by award-winning writers who are deeply invested in your success. Nestled in the natural beauty of the West Kootenay, our program provides opportunities for place-based learning and quiet reflection in nature. Writers complete the program with a strong understanding of the current literary landscape—and their place within it—while also gaining tangible industry experience by serving as editors for Black Bear Review, the West Kootenay’s only literary magazine. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to pursue a career in writing or publishing, this program will provide the inspiration and support you need to discover your voice and expand your creative abilities.

The Associate of Arts - Creative Writing is a pathway to a Bachelor of Arts or Fine Arts, and to careers in the arts, research and publishing, technical writing, library science, and education.

The Associate Degree is a formally established credential recognized province-wide. Graduation from this program requires the completion of sixty (60) credits of university-level study in selected areas with an overall GPA of 2.0. For details, see the B.C. Council of Admissions and Transfers at www.bctransferguide.ca

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of an Associate of Arts 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 8611: Admissions, applicants to Associate of Arts must meet the following requirements to be considered fully qualified:

a) 60% in English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12 or ENGL 60.¹

¹Students whose first language is not English must fulfill the College’s English Language Proficiency requirement. See Policy 8611: Admissions Appendix A.

Additional Requirements

None.

Graduation and Promotion

Selkirk College awards an Associate of Arts – Creative Writing to a student who completes at least sixty (60) credits of courses in University Arts and Sciences and other areas, achieves a minimum GPA of 2.00, and whose course selection meets the following criteria¹

a) Two three-credit courses in 100-level English.

b) Six three-credit courses in 100-level or higher arts other than English. Two courses must be in social sciences and two courses must be in humanities.

i. Including: CWRT 100 and CWRT 101

c) Three three-credit courses in science. One course must be in math, statistics, or computer science, and one course must be a lab science^2.

d) Six three-credit courses in 200-level or higher arts in two or more subject areas.

i. Including: CWRT 200 and CWRT 201; and one of the following pairs: ENGL 200 and ENGL 201, or ENGL 202 and ENGL 203, or ENGL 204 and ENGL 209.

e) Three three-credit courses in arts, sciences or other areas³.

¹Students are advised to ensure that their course selections will meet the degree requirements of the university where they intend to transfer.

²Commonly selected lab sciences include BIOL 101, GEOG 130, GEOG 232, and GEOL 132 and GEOL 142.

³Courses must transfer for three or more credits to at least one of SFU, UBC (Vancouver or Okanagan), UNBC or UVIC. See the BC Transfer Guide at www.bc.transferguide.ca

Students are advised to check the prerequisites for the courses they select.

All prerequisite courses in University Arts and Sciences disciplines require a minimum grade of 60% unless otherwise noted.

Program Courses

The following is a suggested schedule to complete the required courses for an Associate of Arts Degree – Creative Writing in two years. It is recommended that students meet with a Selkirk College advisor to discuss course options.

Term 1

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Courses

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

Elective Courses

Suggested electives:

one 100-level or higher arts (social science) elective

one 100-level or higher arts elective

one lab science elective

See the UAS Courses by discipline page for course selections.

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Term 2

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Courses

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

Elective Courses

Suggested electives:

one 100-level or higher arts (social science) elective

one 100-level or higher arts elective (not English)

one math, statistics, or computer science elective

See the UAS Courses by discipline page for course selections.

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Term 3

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
CWRT200	Manuscript Development I	3.00	60

ENGL200	A Survey of English Literature I	3.00	45
	Or
ENGL202	Canadian Literature I: Indigenous Voices	3.00	45
	Or
ENGL204	Children's Literature I: From Rags to Riches and Worlds of Magic	3.00	45

ELECTIVE	Course	3.00	45
ELECTIVE	Course	3.00	45
ELECTIVE	Course	3.00	45

Elective Courses

Suggested Electives:

one 200-level or higher arts (social science) elective

one elective in arts, sciences or other areas

one science elective

See the UAS Courses by discipline page for course selections.

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Term 4

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
CWRT201	Manuscript Development II	3.00	60

ENGL201	A Survey of English Literature II	3.00	45
	Or
ENGL203	Canadian Literature II: Contemporary Voices	3.00	45
	Or
ENGL209	Introduction to Comics and Graphic Novels	3.00	45

ELECTIVE	Course	3.00	45
ELECTIVE	Course	3.00	45
ELECTIVE	Course	3.00	45

Elective Courses

Suggested Electives:

one 200-level or higher arts (social science) elective

one elective in arts, sciences or other area

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:

Transfer credit for 100- and 200-level University Arts and Sciences (UAS) courses will be given for equivalent courses successfully completed during the past ten years from accredited post-secondary institutions. Students who have completed courses more than ten years earlier require permission from the school chair to receive transfer credit at Selkirk College.
All prerequisite courses in UAS disciplines require a minimum grade of 60% unless otherwise noted.

Assessment:

Courses with a lab/seminar and lecture may require passing both lecture and lab/seminar to pass the course. If this requirement applies to a course, the requirement will be noted in the course outline.
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.
All instructors will outline their policies with respect to missed or late assignments in their current course outlines.
Credit will be granted for a course with a minimum grade of 50%, however, students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 to graduate.
All prerequisite courses in UAS disciplines require a minimum grade of 60% unless otherwise noted.

Grading Table: Standard Academic and Career Programs

Types of Assessments:

See individual course outlines.

Attendance:

Attendance at scheduled lectures, laboratories, field trips, seminars, tutorials, and examinations is expected. Students absent from class for any reason are responsible for the work they have missed. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor when an absence is required.
All instructors will outline their policies with respect to attendance in their current course outlines.

Other regulations:

Students in the School of University Arts and Sciences are subject to the overall policies affecting all students at Selkirk College. College policies may be viewed on the college website.