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Associate of Arts Degree - Creative Writing

Credential
Associate Degree

Duration
2 year(s)

If you'd love to immerse yourself in contemporary literature and creative writing, start in the Associate of Arts degree in Creative Writing at CapU.

Hone your writing under the guidance of practicing writers, who specialize in poetry and poetics (including digital poetics), the novel, micro-fiction, creative non-fiction, writing for children, ficto-criticism, radio and short film scripts.

You'll start your first year by studying multiple genres and branch out in second year to explore poetry, fiction, non-fiction, playwriting and writing for children.

Find out more about this associate of arts program below or contact humanities@capilanou.ca to learn more. 

CapU student working at a laptop.

Become a well-rounded writer

You can choose electives to help you improve your writing skills, with options in Indigenous literature, advanced studies in fiction, literature into film, English literature and more.

Career paths

  • Copywriter
  • Editor
  • Journalist
  • Marketer
  • Writer

Level up your education into a degree

Upon graduation, you'll finish with an Associate Degree plus first- and second-year English and creative writing credits, which can be laddered into one of the 15 bachelor's degrees at CapU.

Learn from experienced writers

Your instructors are published writers with decades of experience in the field and are eager to share their expertise with you.

Related links

Request more info

Find out about your program of interest and learn about upcoming events, workshops and campus tours.

Request Information

Contact us

Contact us for more information about applying to and studying in the Creative Writing Associate of Arts diploma program.

Get in Touch

Information sessions

Make sure you plan ahead by bookmarking this calendar of program information sessions and open houses.

Upcoming info sessions

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Are you ready to bring it?

Apply Now to CapU

Intakes

Important dates

Applications open

Jun 6, 2023 – May 7, 2024

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Mar 4, 2024

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Apr 22, 2024

Important dates

Applications open

Oct 3, 2023 – Sep 3, 2024

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jul 2, 2024

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 19, 2024

Important dates

Applications open

Feb 6, 2024 – Jan 7, 2025

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Nov 12, 2024

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Dec 16, 2024

NOTE: Important dates may change.

How to Apply

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

  • When you submit your application, you will need to pay an application fee of $50, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs. 
  • You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
  • If you are currently in Grade 12, you must request that the Ministry of Education submit your transcript directly to Capilano University.
  • Documents must be in the original language of issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.
Apply on EPBC

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

  • This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
  • Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
  • All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
  • If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

For students who have previously attended post-secondary, even though you submitted a digital copy of your transcripts on EducationPlannerBC, you must submit official university or college transcripts for transfer credit.

Please send all official documents to:

Registrar's Office
Birch Building, Room BR230
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, BC
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and the signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing university or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Once you've been accepted into a program, you'll need to start planning your courses.

  • You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
  • View our page for admitted students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
  • If you wish to receive transfer credits, please submit official university/college/International Baccalaureate (IB)/Advanced Placements (AP) transcripts either electronically or by mail:

     

    Registrar's Office
    Birch Building, Room BR230
    2055 Purcell Way
    North Vancouver, BC
    V7J 3H5

New Students

Most CapU programs need proof that you:

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

  • When you submit your application, you will need to pay a non-refundable application fee of C$135, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs.
  • You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
  • If your original transcripts and supporting documents are not written in English, please submit a translated copy.
Apply on EPBC

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

  • This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
  • Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
  • All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
  • If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.
Funding for International Students

You've already sent digital copies of your transcripts to EducationPlannerBC as part of your CapU application, but we also need physical copies of your official high school, college or university transcripts.

If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

Please send your official documents to:

Capilano University
Centre for International Experience, Room LB127
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, B.C.
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

Students must submit official high school and university or college transcripts for admission.

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing high school, university, or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

If you are accepted into a program, you will receive a letter of offer in your myCapU email inbox.

  • You will need to confirm your acceptance into the program by paying a tuition deposit outlined in your letter of offer.
  • This deposit will go towards your first-semester tuition once you are registered for courses at CapU.

After paying your tuition deposit, you will receive a letter of acceptance in your myCapU inbox. This may be used to apply for, or renew, a study permit.

  • Depending on your citizenship, you may also need to apply for an entry visa.
Permits & Visas

Once you've been accepted into a program and have applied for your study permit, you'll need to start planning your courses.

  • You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
  • View our page for admitted international students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
Info for Admitted International Students

Apply Now

Are you ready to rise to the challenge?

Apply now to CapU

Transfer Students

Find out how you can transfer your credits from another post-secondary institution to CapU.

Applying as a Transfer Student

Returning Students

If you're returning to CapU to complete your program or to apply into a new program, please contact the Registrar's Office.

Contact Registrar's Office

Switching Programs

If you want to change your program of study, you need to submit a new application to CapU.

Re-apply to CapU

Tuition and Fees

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $4,315 $1,746 $6,061
Year 2 $4,315 $1,746 $6,061
Total $8,630 $3,492 $12,122
Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $19,320 $1,746 $21,066
Year 2 $19,320 $1,746 $21,066
Total $38,640 $3,492 $42,132

Tuition & Fees Estimator

Get a detailed breakdown of the tuition and fees for your program.

Calculate my fees

Entrance Awards

All new CapU students can fund their education with entrance awards.

See if I qualify

Term Awards

Continuing your studies at CapU? You may be eligible for awards, too.

Take me to the awards

Required Courses

English Requirement

Total credits: 6.00

Required:
ENGL 100University Writing Strategies3.00 credits
ENGL 103Introduction to Literature3.00 credits

 

Arts Courses 100-Level Electives - six credits maximum in one subject area (excludes English)

Total credits: 18.00

Choose 18.00 credits of electives:
Humanities Electives6.00 credits
Humanities or Social Science Electives6.00 credits
Social Science Electives6.00 credits

 

Arts Courses 200-Level Electives - credits must be in at least two subject areas

Total credits: 18.00

Required:
ENGL 207Literary Theory and Criticism3.00 credits
Choose 6.00 credits from the following list:
ENGL 290Creative Writing: Letter and Line3.00 credits
ENGL 291Creative Writing: Narrative Fictions3.00 credits
ENGL 292Creative Writing: Children's Literature3.00 credits
ENGL 293Creative Writing: Creative Nonfiction3.00 credits
ENGL 295Special Topics in Creative Writing3.00 credits
ENGL 296Creative Writing: Writing for the Stage3.00 credits
Choose 3.00 credits from the following list:
Humanities or Social Science Elective (excludes English)3.00 credits
Choose 6.00 credits from the following list:

Recommended for English Majors: English 200, 201, 203 or 205

Humanities or Social Science Elective6.00 credits

 

Science Courses

Total credits: 9.00

Choose 3.00 credits of electives:
Mathematics or Computer Science or Statistics Elective 100-Level or higher (PSYC 213 may be used)3.00 credits
Choose 3.00 credits of electives:
Laboratory Science (requires minimum 2 hour per week lab and excludes any courses in Applied Science or Computing Science)3.00 credits
Choose 3.00 credits of electives:
Science Elective3.00 credits

 

University Transferable Elective

Total credits: 9.00

Required:
ENGL 190Introduction to Creative Writing3.00 credits
ENGL 191Creative Writing: Contemporary Practices3.00 credits
Choose 3.00 credits from the following list:

Recommended for English Majors: English 200, 201, 203 or 205

ENGL 107Introduction to Indigenous Literatures and Film3.00 credits
ENGL 109Literature and Contemporary Culture3.00 credits
ENGL 200Beginnings: The Story of English Literature Before 17003.00 credits
ENGL 201Disruptions: The Story of English Literature After 17003.00 credits
ENGL 203Introduction to Canadian Literature3.00 credits
ENGL 205Introduction to American Literature3.00 credits
ENGL 208Studies in Fiction3.00 credits
ENGL 213World Literature in English3.00 credits
ENGL 217Literature on the Edge3.00 credits
ENGL 218The Art of Children's Literature3.00 credits
ENGL 219Reel Lit: Literature into Film3.00 credits
ENGL 260Writing Communities3.00 credits
ENGL 290Creative Writing: Letter and Line3.00 credits
ENGL 291Creative Writing: Narrative Fictions3.00 credits
ENGL 292Creative Writing: Children's Literature3.00 credits
ENGL 293Creative Writing: Creative Nonfiction3.00 credits
ENGL 295Special Topics in Creative Writing3.00 credits
ENGL 296Creative Writing: Writing for the Stage3.00 credits

Total program credits: 60.00

Additional information

Please see Classification of Subjects for Associate Degrees in the University Calendar for clarification of Arts, Humanities, Social Science and Science electives.

See Associate Degree Courses

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a breadth and depth of knowledge of appropriate to a student entering upper-division courses.
  • Demonstrate research skills, critical thinking, and creative implementation of sound solutions to problems.
  • Communicate ideas through oral and written formats.
  • Work both independently and cooperatively.
  • Analyze and synthesize course material to produce original work.
  • Use technology creatively and efficiently.
  • Demonstrate quantitative and qualitative reasoning and research methods.
  • Draw upon knowledge, judgment, and imagination in work and life.
  • Produce a portfolio of original work.

How to Declare

For the official publication of programs, course descriptions and admission requirements please view the Capilano University Calendar.

Have a question?

Get in touch with us!

About this program

School of Humanities-English
604 986 1911 , ext. 2291
humanities@capilanou.ca

General inquiries

Student Information Services
Library Building, room LB152

604-984-4900
604-984-1798 (fax)
registration@capilanou.ca