Creative Writing
Ontario Graduate Certificate
Program Code: 12231
Campus: Online
Length: 2 semesters starting in September
Humber’s Creative Writing – Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Poetry 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 short stories, poems, memoir, or novel-in-progress, learning how to develop plot, character, dialogue, style and more through feedback on your own manuscript. The program is intended for those working on book-length projects, and you'll have the satisfaction of completing a large body of work which may include all or part of a novel or memoir, a volume of short stories, or a book of poetry. We've recently added a playwright to our list of available mentors so students have the opportunity to work through a full-length play with a playwriting mentor.
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.
This is a project-based program in which you meet the learning outcomes by working through your own manuscript.
Courses
Semester 1 |
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| WRIT 5100: Manuscript Development 1 |
Semester 2 |
|---|
| WRIT 5200: Manuscript Development 2 |
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet all the requirements below in order to meet minimum program eligibility. Meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee an offer of admission. Admission decisions will be available via MyHumber, or by email and mail. Admission decisions will not be released by phone.
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 or advanced diploma
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.
- .
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
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
The 2022/2023 fee for two semesters was:
- domestic: $3,670.14
- international: $17,618.00
Fees are subject to change.
Domestic Fees by Semester
| Semester 1 | 2021-22 Fees |
| Tuition | $1,306.54 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $340.39 |
| Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 |
| IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $104.23 |
| Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $20.00 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
| Total | $1,835.16 |
| Semester 2 | 2021-22 Fees |
| Tuition | $1,306.54 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $340.39 |
| Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 |
| IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $104.23 |
| Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $20.00 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
| Total | $1,835.16 |
International Fees by Semester
| Semester 1 | 2021-22 Fees |
| Tuition | $8,280.38 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $340.39 |
| Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 |
| IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $104.23 |
| Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $20.00 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
| Total | $8,809.00 |
| Semester 2 | 2021-22 Fees |
| Tuition | $8,280.38 |
| Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $340.39 |
| Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 |
| IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $104.23 |
| Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $20.00 |
| Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 |
| Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
| Total | $8,809.00 |
*Plus Mandatory Health Insurance fee once per academic year: Fall start - $420 Winter start - $280 Summer start - $140
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
416.675.6622 ext. 3451/34
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.
On October 21, 2019, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced the renaming of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). Both names may appear on this website.
Select information only is included in this printable PDF. For complete program details, refer to humber.ca/programs.
Print/Download Date: March 30, 2023