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Online Master’s Degree in Creative Writing

Creative Writing Major: Are you looking for a graduate level Master’s Degree in Creative Writing you can take online? Read about three of my Canadian favourites!


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1) Athabasca University – MAIS – Writing and New Media

AU’s Creative Writing Major: Athabasca University introduced the Master of Arts Integrated Studies Program (MAIS) in Writing and New Media a few years ago. It offers a mix of creative, theoretical and professional writing courses, depending on how you structure your degree. There are also some really cool professors teaching this program. Angie Abdou, author of The Bone Cage and Between, teaches creative writing. Reinekke Lengelle, who runs the “Writing the Self” website, has published many papers on therapeutic and career writing. She teaches writing for wellness.

This is where I got my Master’s degree. In my case, I completed two areas of focus, combining Writing and New Media with Literary Studies. It felt like I got the best of both worlds: a creative focus, similar to an MFA in Creative Writing, and a critical focus like with an MA!

This program consists of 11 graduate level courses: two required courses in theory and research; four courses in your area of focus; four electives (or take a second area of focus); and a final project or capstone course. You can complete this flexible online program in two years, or take up to six years.

I learned a ton at Athabasca! I strongly recommend it.


2) University of British Columbia – Optional Residency MFA in Creative Writing

UBC’s Creative Writing Major: This MFA in Creative Writing program is dedicated to original writing. It does not include a critical component. If your main focus is on the art and practice of writing, then this is a great choice.

You can complete this MFA entirely online, or take advantage of a 10 day optional summer residency.

This is one of Canada’s most prestigious graduate writing programs. They have a 25% acceptance rate.

This online MFA in Creative Writing offers nine genres of study. These include fiction, poetry, non-fiction, children’s literature, graphic novel, songwriting, translation, screenwriting, and playwriting.

Checkout this FAQ section for answers to more of your questions, including the cost of tuition.


UKC logo3) University of King’s College – Limited Residency MFA in Creative Non-Fiction

King College Creative Writing Major: This is a cool program and one I would consider taking if I wasn’t about to start a PhD. This MFA, focused on creative non-fiction, is the only program of its kind in Canada. This degree is considered one of the best non-fiction writing programs in North America.

If you’re interested in writing a narrative non-fiction book (basically a memoir with a plot), a collection of personal essays, a memoir or a biography, then this program is for you.

The program is 2 years long and involves three short residencies. There are two summer residencies, each two weeks long, where you work on your writing craft. The one winter residency is one week long and is all about the business of writing. During that week, students meet publishers, editors and literary agents!

When you’re not completing a residency, you’ll work long distance with mentors. Your mentors will work with you on your manuscript, helping to get it ready for potential publication.

The University of King’s College has a long history in Canada. It was originally in Windsor, founded in 1789. It burned down in 1920 and was rebuilt in Halifax with a grant from the Carnegie Corporation. The University of King’s College is now closely connect to Dalhousie University.

For more information, check out this video:


Are you interested in taking a PhD in Creative Writing? Consider these Canadian options

*This article about Canadian Creative Writing Major’s at the Master’s level was published on December 29, 2017 and last updated on April 10, 2019.