Humber’s Creative Writing graduate certificate program helps you improve your writing from the comfort of home. You’ll work one-on-one with a professional writer-mentor to improve your draft book-length project, learning how to develop plot, character, dialogue, style and more through feedback on your own manuscript.

Humber is noted for its exceptional creative writing mentors including authors of world stature. Past mentors include Martin Amis, Peter Carey, Miriam Toews, David Mitchell, Esi Edugyan, Nino Ricci, Margaret Atwood, Lawrence Hill, Anne Michaels, Edward Albee, Ha Jin and Alistair MacLeod. Recent international authors have included Jenny Offill, Nell Freudenberger and Samantha Harvey. 

We've recently added a playwright, a screenwriter and two children's writers to our list of available mentors – giving you the opportunity to complete a large body of work which may be all or parts of a full-length novel, memoir, feature-length screenplay or full-length play; or a collection of poetry, short fiction or creative nonfiction essays; or a portfolio of picture books, early readers and/or middle grade readers.

This is a project-based program in which you meet the learning outcomes by working through your own manuscript. As well, you will attend weekly online classes synchronously or asynchronously to discuss craft, readings and the writing process to support your development. 

This program is not available to international applicants.

Courses

Admission Requirements

Admission selection is based on the following 5 requirements:

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  Academic

  To be eligible for admission, you must possess the following:

  • A bachelor’s degree, diploma, advanced diploma or equivalent

  Mature Applicants

  Diplomas and Certificates

  An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or other postsecondary school, and will be 19 or older as of the first day of classes. Humber will invite you for testing to demonstrate that you meet all listed course requirements.

  Degrees

  An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or attended postsecondary studies, and will be 21 or older as of the first day of classes. Mature applicants for degree programs will be required to meet course requirements at the U/M level or equivalent.

  College Transfer Applicants

  Diplomas and Certificates

  An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

  Degrees

  An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants must have an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 65 per cent in the program. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

  University Transfer Applicants

  Diplomas and Certificates

  An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

  Degrees

  An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

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  English Language Proficiency

  All applicants whose first language is not English must meet Humber’s English Language Proficiency Policy.

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  International Credit Evaluation

  Canadian citizens or permanent residents with international education are required to provide a credential evaluation. Note, for international High school education course by course evaluations, ICAS must be used. For international post-secondary education, a WES evaluation must be provided. In situations where you expect to apply for transfer credit, it is recommended that a course by course WES evaluation is completed.

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  Cover Letter

  Please submit a cover letter describing the single book-length project you intend to work on in the program, your writing experience, and any relevant life experience. The letter should be no more than two pages, double-spaced in 12-point font. Please include your name and email address, and submit as MS Word or PDF.

   

   
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  Writing Sample

  Please submit a sample of your writing that is no more than 15 pages in length. Ideally, the writing sample should be taken from the project you intend to work on in the program. If this is not possible, please submit a sample in the same form/genre (e.g., fiction if you intend to work on a novel). The manuscript must be prepared according to professional standards: double-spaced, 12-point font, with name, title and page number on each page. Please submit as MS Word or PDF.

  Submission Instructions

  https://humber.ca/admissions/office-of-the-registrar/registration/submission-instructions.html

How to Apply

Applications are made through ontariocolleges.ca. See program page for details.

International Academic Equivalency

Admission equivalencies for Humber depend on your country of study. Please see admission requirements on the program page to enter your location.

Fees

Pathways

Humber offers a number of transfer options and pathway opportunities. Visit humber.ca/transferoptions or refer to the program page.

Contact Information

Alissa York, program co-ordinator
Faculty of Media, Creative Arts, and Design
416.675.6622 ext. 3448
alissa.york@humber.ca

Admissions Questions

Domestic Students

416-675-5000
enquiry@humber.ca

International Students

Contact the International Centre

international.humber.ca/contact

1-416-675-5067

Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.

Select information only is included in this printable PDF. For complete program details, refer to humber.ca/programs.