Program Requirements

Major Program

Students in the Writing Major program are required to take:

1. WRIT 100 with a grade of B+ or better
2. FA 101
3. 6.0 units from 200-level Writing
4. 15.0 units of 300- or 400-level Writing, including 4.5 units of workshops in a single genre.

Professional Writing courses (WRIT 215, 216, 315) may not be counted as part of a Writing Major.

WRIT 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 316, 321, 330, 335, 336, 340, 410, 416 and 440 may count toward either a Major in Writing or a Professional Writing Minor in Journalism and Publishing, but not both.

Students are advised to work toward a Double Major, since enrolment in workshops is limited, and spaces are not guaranteed. Without a concentration of courses in a separate discipline, students may find themselves delayed in graduating.

If at least 9 units of electives are chosen from courses offered by other departments within the Faculty of Fine Arts, the degree awarded may be either the BFA or the BA of the Faculty of Fine Arts. If fewer than 9 units of electives from the Faculty of Fine Arts are chosen, the degree awarded will be the BA of the Faculty of Fine Arts.

Minor in Professional Writing in Journalism and Publishing

The department of Writing offers a Minor in Professional Writing emphasizing journalism, media studies and publishing. The goal of the program is to develop skills required to succeed as a professional writer in journalism, publishing, government or industry.

Please note that the Minor in Professional Writing in Journalism and Publishing is a separate program from the Minor in Professional Writing offered by the English department.

Program Requirements

To obtain a Professional Writing Minor in Journalism and Publishing, students are required to take:

1. WRIT 102, with a grade of B+ or better
2. WRIT 215, 216, with an average grade of B+ or better
3. WRIT 315, 340
4. Six units from the 300- and 400-level PW courses in Writing (listed under Major Program on this page) or approved electives from outside the department. Entry to 300- and 400-level courses will depend upon successful completion of the 100- and 200-level prerequisites listed above, and declaring the Minor with the appropriate Faculty Adviser.

While participation in the Professional Writing Co-op (see below) is not mandatory, it is highly recommended; priority for admission in certain courses will be given to those taking the Co-op option.

Courses taken for the Minor cannot be used to complete requirements for a Major or Honours Program.

Major in Writing and Minor in Professional Writing

Students who are interested in completing both a Major Program in Writing (specializing in fiction, poetry, drama and/or creative nonfiction) and a Minor Program in Professional Writing (specializing in journalism and publishing) should take WRIT 100 and WRIT 102 in their first year of study. Similarly, students who are not yet certain whether they would prefer to do a Major in Writing or a Minor in Professional Writing or both are advised to enrol in WRIT 100 and WRIT 102 in their first year to keep all three options open.

Writing/Theatre Focus

Students wishing to pursue a double major in Writing and Theatre must be accepted into both departments. Students must apply to Writing by March 31 and to Theatre by February 28 for a September start. Please visit each department’s web site to determine what is required for admission. Students should contact Fine Arts Advising to obtain assistance with planning their program.

Writing Program Co-op Option

General regulations pertaining to Co-operative Education Programs of the University of Victoria are found on this page.

The Humanities, Fine Arts and Professional Writing Co-operative Education Program offers paid employment to students who are working towards a career in journalism, publishing or communications. The Co-op is open to students who are:

• undertaking a Major in Writing, or
• undertaking the Professional Writing Minor in Journalism and Publishing, or
• undertaking an interfaculty General program where the Professional Writing Minor in Journalism and Publishing is one of the two programs which forms the General program.

Students undertaking the Professional Writing Minor must follow the guidelines specific to their program and the Professional Writing Minor in Journalism and Publishing (see this page). Professional Writing Minors must satisfactorily complete four work terms to receive a Co-op notation upon graduation.

For further information about the Humanities, Fine Arts and Professional Writing Co-operative Education program, see this page.