Professional Writing at Algonquin College

Learn highly marketable skills in writing for a career in digital and print media.

With a focus on organizational and creative writing, the two-year Professional Writing Ontario College Diploma program teaches you the skills and flexibility to work as a writer in a variety of fields. You learn writing skills for electronic and print media from nationally recognized writers, authors and communications experts.

Acquire the necessary skills to write independently and collaboratively in freelance and organizational settings. With attention to detail, learn to research, write, edit and proofread.

Many writers balance freelancing with other employment, so the program focuses on the development of creative skills along with knowledge of the existing market for fiction and creative non-fiction in Canada. You gain highly marketable communications, writing, and editing skills that are useful in many industries in both for-profit and non-profit sectors.

During the program, local freelancers lead workshops and may mentor you in the field. You participate in a work environment for a seven-week field placement where you have the opportunity to apply your writing skills while building connections with potential clients and employers.

Graduates from this program have a wide range of exemplary writing skills and comprehensive knowledge of contemporary social and political issues needed to begin careers as professional writers.

Graduates may find employment at a junior level as a:

• communications officer
• copy editor
• researcher
• proofreader
• web content writer

Graduates also have the skills to be hired on contract or as a freelancer to write magazine-style articles, booklets, brochures, training materials and manuals.

You may also consider continuing your education and training through Algonquin`s Advertising, Public Relations, Scriptwriting, Journalism, Broadcasting - Television or Broadcasting - Radio programs.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Have a solid foundation in the basic rules of English grammar.
• Have strong written and oral communications skills.
• Are inquisitive, well-organized and have an analytical nature.
• Can work independently.
• Enjoy researching topics and gathering information.

Careers

Graduates may be employed at a junior level as communications officers, copy editors, researchers, proofreaders and web content writers. They also have the skills to be hired on contract or as a freelancer to write magazine-type articles, booklets, brochures, training materials and manuals.

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Recognize the fundamental concepts of storytelling.
2. Write for media in Canada with an awareness of historical and cultural contexts.
3. Demonstrate understanding of the production process of print, live events, broadcast, the Internet and film.
4. Employ computers and writing software proficiently.
5. Work in independent, collaborative, and organizational settings.
6. Write in a broad range of styles appropriate to a variety of media.
7. Write scripts for presentations, live events and speeches.
8. Create plots, characters and themes that engage audiences.
9. Effectively edit their own and others` writing.
10. Demonstrate superior time management skills.
11. Manage their writing career on sound small-business principles.
12. Market their writing skills in their chosen field.
13. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Program Eligibility

• English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent)with a grade of 70% or higher.
• Direct entry into second year:
  Applicants with a degree in a field that demands a high level of writing (e.g. English literature, Creative Writing, History, Journalism, Political Science), may enter directly to the second year of the program. Holders of other degree types may be asked to complete an eligibility test. During the Fall semester, direct-entry students receive three hours of coaching per week to review material from Level One and Level Two. Applicants should contact the coordinator directly for more information.
• Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
• IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 88, with a minimum of 22 in each component: Reading 22; Listening 22; Speaking 22; Writing 22.

Should the number of qualified applicants exceed the number of available places, applicants will be selected on the basis of their proficiency in English.