The Professional Writing program at Algonquin College is designed for writers who have completed high school, have an aptitude and passion for writing, and a willingness to practise their craft in a variety of media. Students will learn exemplary writing skills for both electronic and print media.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): As a student in this on-campus program, you will require a mobile computing device that meets the specifications outlined by your program at https://algonquincollege.com/byod(Please note this was previously referred to as a Mobile Learning Program)
Learn highly marketable skills in writing for a career in digital and print media.
With a focus on both professional 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 digital 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 writers lead workshops and may mentor you in the field. You participate in a work environment for a 180-hour 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
marketing copywriter
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, Technical Writing, Journalism, Broadcasting - Television and Streaming Video or Broadcasting - Radio and Podcasting 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.
Your Career
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:
Recognize the fundamental concepts of storytelling.
Write for media in Canada with an awareness of historical and cultural contexts.
Demonstrate understanding of the production process of print, live events, broadcast, the Internet and film.
Employ computers and writing software proficiently.
Work in independent, collaborative, and organizational settings.
Write in a broad range of styles appropriate to a variety of media.
Write scripts for presentations, live events and speeches.
Create plots, characters and themes that engage audiences.
Effectively edit their own and others` writing.
Demonstrate superior time management skills.
Manage their writing career on sound small-business principles.
Market their writing skills in their chosen field.
Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.
Courses
Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of
instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab,
entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom
sessions with online learning activities. Upon registration, each
full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is
used to communicate important information about program or course
events.
Tuition and related ancillary fees for this program can be viewed by using the Tuition and Fees Estimator tool at www.algonquincollege.com/fee-estimator.
Further information on fees can be found by visiting the Registrar`s Office website at www.algonquincollege.com/ro.
Fees are subject to change.
Additional program-related expenses include:
Books and supplies cost approximately $900 in the first year and $600 in the second year.
Students must purchase their own PC laptop computer and software.
Computers and supplies can be purchased directly from Algonquin`s Connections Store at educational discounted rates.
2024/2025 Academic Year
Tuition and related ancillary fees for this program can be viewed by using the Tuition and Fees Estimator tool at www.algonquincollege.com/fee-estimator.
Further information on fees can be found by visiting the Registrar`s Office website at www.algonquincollege.com/ro.
Fees are subject to change.
Additional program-related expenses include:
Books and supplies cost approximately $900 in the first year and $600 in the second year.
Students must purchase their own PC laptop computer and software. Computers and supplies can be purchased directly from Algonquin`s Connections Store at educational discounted rates.
Admission Requirements
2024/2025 Academic Year
College Eligibility
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent. Applicants with an OSSD showing senior English and/or Mathematics courses at the Basic Level, or with Workplace or Open courses, will be tested to determine their eligibility for admission; OR
Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate; OR
General Educational Development (GED) certificate; OR
Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program). Eligibility may be determined by academic achievement testing for which a fee of $50 (subject to change) will be charged.
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. During the Fall semester, direct-entry students receive three hours of coaching per week to review material from Level 01 and Level 02. 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; OR Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 120, minimum of 120 in Literacy and no score below 105.
Should the number of qualified applicants exceed the number of available places, applicants will be selected on the basis of their proficiency in English.
2023/2024 Academic Year
College Eligibility
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent. Applicants with an OSSD showing senior English and/or Mathematics courses at the Basic Level, or with Workplace or Open courses, will be tested to determine their eligibility for admission; OR
Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate; OR
General Educational Development (GED) certificate; OR
Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program). Eligibility may be determined by academic achievement testing for which a fee of $50 (subject to change) will be charged.
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.
Application Information
PROFESSIONAL WRITING Program Code 3001X01FWO
Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:
Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should notify their Guidance Office prior to their online application at www.ontariocolleges.ca.
Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.
Students complete their studies with either special projects or a field placement. Students completing their training within the College environment are provided with small group projects and brief seminars to enhance their writing, research, editing and web-related skills. Students with a minimum B+ average have the option of completing their diploma with a field placement. Finding and securing an approved fieldwork opportunity is a shared responsibility. Your faculty and field work supervisor/coordinator has contacts in industry and where feasible will assist you in finding an approved field placement. During an external placement, students apply the knowledge and skills they have gained in the classroom to professional practice within an organization.
Every attempt is made to ensure the accuracy
of the information in this publication. The College reserves the
right to modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable, or
campus location at any time
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): As a student in this on-campus program, you will require a mobile computing device that meets the specifications outlined by your program at https://algonquincollege.com/byod (Please note this was previously referred to as a Mobile Learning Program)