Creative Writing Major (HBA)
Admissions Category: Social Sciences & Humanities
Program Overview
Does your love of literature go beyond scholarship? Are you an aspiring author who wants to add a practical, hands-on component to your education? Then you鈥檝e come to the right place: UTSC is the only U of T campus where you can earn a . Our dedicated faculty take a workshop-based, experiential approach to the study and practice of the literary arts. They also emphasize diversity in both texts and methods. This means that while you learn how classic and contemporary authors pursue their craft, you also take the exciting first steps towards building your own writing practice.
Our Major program places a particular emphasis on professionalization and how to make your way as a writer in the real world. You will also benefit from working with a new Writer-in-Residence each year, and connecting with our close-knit and active creative writing alumni network.
Complementary Programs:
You can combine the Major with a huge range of programs in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Sciences.
Check out future career opportunities and skills acquired from completing this program:
Competencies & Skills
- Produce your own original pieces with confidence
- Gain tools of critique and constructive feedback
- Adjust style, syntax, grammar and vocabulary to rhetorical context
- Identify, examine, and debate strategies and techniques of excellent writers
- Understand and experiment with genre, form, and hybrid modes
- Develop critical thinking
- Engage in creative problem solving
Careers for Graduates
- Author/Writer/Artist in Creative Industries
- Journalist/Editor/Drama Critic/Film Critic
- Account Manager in Advertising Companies
- Social Media Manager
- Foreign Service Officer in Government
- Public Relations Specialist
- Planner in Think-Tanks
- Technical Writer in Software Developers
- Communications Assistant in School Systems
Further Education
- Creative Writing and other Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Programs
- English
- Journalism
- Education
- Library and Information Science
- Publishing
- Law School
- Public Relations
- Marketing
Program Pathway
Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4
Year 1
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career
Year 2
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career
Year 3
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career
Year 4
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career
Choose Your Courses Wisely
- Take .
- You may also be interested in , and/or as an introduction to the study of English Literature.
- Explore different courses; this will help with fulfilling breadth requirements.
- Use to plan your courses and program.
- Submit your portfolio at the end of your first year.
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
- Attend readings by the Writer-in-Residence and other departmental writing events.
- Schedule an appointment with your for in-depth research assistance with your assignments.
- Get writing support through the .
Apply Theory to Practice
- Attend the UTSC Faculty Mix & Mingle Fair and SELF鈥檚 Mix & Mingle events to connect with professors and learn more about their specialties
- Start building your Co-Curricular Record (CCR) and search for Experiential Learning opportunities.
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
- Attend the regular meetings of , our creative writing club.
- Join the Students of English Literature and Film (SELF).
- Explore other relevant student clubs and activities on campus.
- Volunteer in DSL鈥檚 Alternative Reading Week program to gain experience and knowledge about social change and community development.
Plan for Your Future Career
- Watch for the English Department鈥檚 Career Paths Panel, to hear from alumni and faculty about their experiences.
- Volunteer with organizations to expand your interests 鈥 you can check listings on (Jobs & Recruitment).
- Attend the in September and register with to explore opportunities.
Year 2
Choose Your Courses Wisely
- Take , , and .
- Use to plan your courses and program.
- Meet with your Program Advisor or Supervisor to strategize for your degree.
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
- Participate in .
- Further develop your general academic skills by attending workshops offered by the (AA&CC) and Centre for Teaching & Learning (CTL).
Apply Theory to Practice
- Participate in SELF by volunteering in their events or running for an executive position.
- Get involved in relevant opportunities on and/or off campus (e.g., apply to Work Study, or other part-time and summer jobs on [Jobs & Recruitment]).
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
- Make sure you don鈥檛 miss out on the incredible creative writing community and events hosted outside of class!
- Check (Jobs & Recruitment) to search for Work Study or volunteer positions on campus to gain experience and to get involved.
Plan for Your Future Career
- Gain experience by applying for a summer, part-time or Work Study position via (Jobs & Recruitment).
- Considering grad school? Speak to professors and advisors early so you are on track.
- Explore careers through the AA&CC鈥檚 and programs.
Year 3
Choose Your Courses Wisely
- Take or or .
- Work on your further 2.0 credits from: , , , , , , , , , , .
- Remember your 4.5 credits from anywhere in English.
- Use to ensure you are on track with your degree.
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
- Consider submitting your writing to our department鈥檚 Annual English Undergraduate Conference, which showcases creative and critical work.
Apply Theory to Practice
- Meet one-on-one with the Writer-in-Residence to workshop your writing.
- Check the English department website for writing, publishing, and awards opportunities.
- Build on your skills and knowledge through relevant events offered through our department, , the DSL, and the .
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
- Join the Annual English Undergraduate Conference by submitting a paper on this year鈥檚 decided theme.
- Look into volunteering or working overseas to expand your network through International Student Centre鈥檚 (ISC) Global Learning programs.
Plan for Your Future Career
- Plan a career path with a staff member at the .
- Check (Jobs & Recruitment) for networking events and employer information sessions to attend.
- Attend the in September.
Year 4
Choose Your Courses Wisely
- Take .
- Ensure you have fulfilled your breadth requirements.
- Use to ensure you are on track to graduate.
- Register your 鈥淚ntent to Graduate鈥 on by the deadline.
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
- Consider submitting your work to the Sigma Tau Delta International English Conference.
- Apply for an Academic Travel Fund through DSL to research, present at a conference, or engage with the international academic community.
Apply Theory to Practice
- Attend the in January to meet with potential employers looking to hire students for relevant summer and full-time positions.
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
- Participate in the AA&CC鈥檚 program to learn and network with an alumni mentor about transitioning to work or further education.
Plan for Your Future Career
- Connect with the Writer-in-Residence and your professors about a career as a writer.
- Attend the AA&CC鈥檚 job search conference in April/May.
- Attend a orientation for a job search 鈥渃rash course鈥 and for access to full-time job listings.
Glossary
- AACC - Academic Advising and Career Centre (www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc)
- CCR - Co-Curricular Record (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/ccr/overview.htm)
- CLNx - Career Co-Curricular Learning Network (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/home.htm)
- COW - Creative Organization of Writers
- CTL - Centre for Teaching and Learning (/ctl)
- DSL - Department of Student Life (/studentlife)
- ISC - International Student Centre (/utscinternational)
- SCSU - Scarborough Campus Students Union (https://www.scsu.ca)
- SELF - Students of English Literature and Film (/engdept/self-students-english-literature-and-film)
Undergraduate Program Coordinator
Location: HW 332A
Phone: 647-601-4557
Creative Writing Librarian
Chad Crichton
E-mail: chad.crichton@utoronto.caLocation: ARC main floor
Phone: 416-287-7492
Academic Advising & Career Centre
Phone: 416-287-7561
Department of Student Life
Phone: 416-208-4760
Students of English Literature and Film
Did You Know?
The events calendar for the Creative Writing program is one of the most robust and exciting on campus.