English – Creative Writing (MA)
Program overview
Fast-track your skills in the company of other writers. Pursue your thesis with a professor whose expertise complements your area of interest. Take literature seminars that broaden your understanding of others’ work and your own. The literary culture you encounter will enhance every aspect of your development as a writer.
You’ll have the freedom to explore your creative vision and find your voice as a writer and scholar in the artistically vibrant city of Montreal. Our program’s flexibility allows you to propose a thesis project in traditional or innovative genres and media, including digital.
By pursuing training as a writer in the context of a literature program, you’ll experience a learning environment informed by a multiplicity of insights. Your classmates will include people pursuing scholarly interests as well as those with their sights set on writing careers, publishing and editing, gaming, and teaching.
You’ll also have the opportunity to forge professional and artistic relationships that will last throughout your career. Concordia is home to the Centre for Expanded Poetics, the Mordecai Richler Reading Room, numerous publications, and the Writers Read series, which attracts renowned and emerging writers alike.
Program Details
English Literature MA with Thesis (Option A)
| 21 | credits of 600-level Courses with a minimum of 6 credits of courses designated by the Graduate Committee as fulfilling the "Period" requirement and a minimum of 3 credits of courses designated as fulfilling the "Theory" requirement. |
| 24 | credits:
|
English Literature MA with Thesis (Option B) (45 credits)
Note: Admission to this option has been suspended | |
| 21 | credits, with a minimum of 6 credits of courses designated by the Graduate Committee as fulfilling the "Period" requirement and a minimum of 3 credits of courses designated as fulfilling the "Theory" requirement. |
| 24 | credits:
|
Creative Writing with Thesis (Option C)
| 12 | credits of 600-level Courses chosen from the regular academic course offerings |
| 12 | credits of Creative Writing Courses:
Note: ENGL 670 and ENGL 671 are Creative Writing courses. Only six credits of creative writing workshops (from ENGL 672 , ENGL 673 , ENGL 674 ) may be elected in any year. |
| 21 | credits:
|
Degree Requirements
Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 45 credits.
Please see the English Courses page for course descriptions.
English MA (45 credits)
English Literature MA with Thesis (Option A)
| 21 | credits of 600-level Courses with a minimum of 6 credits of courses designated by the Graduate Committee as fulfilling the "Period" requirement and a minimum of 3 credits of courses designated as fulfilling the "Theory" requirement. |
| 24 | credits:
|
English Literature MA with Thesis (Option B) (45 credits)
Note: Admission to this option has been suspended | |
| 21 | credits, with a minimum of 6 credits of courses designated by the Graduate Committee as fulfilling the "Period" requirement and a minimum of 3 credits of courses designated as fulfilling the "Theory" requirement. |
| 24 | credits:
|
Creative Writing with Thesis (Option C)
| 12 | credits of 600-level Courses chosen from the regular academic course offerings |
| 12 | credits of Creative Writing Courses:
Note: ENGL 670 and ENGL 671 are Creative Writing courses. Only six credits of creative writing workshops (from ENGL 672 , ENGL 673 , ENGL 674 ) may be elected in any year. |
| 21 | credits:
|
Degree options
You may choose one of three options.
English Literature MA with Thesis (Option A)
English Literature MA with Thesis (Option B)
Creative Writing with Thesis (Option C)
Your completed application will include:
- Application form and Fee
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Three Letters of Reference and assessment form
- Statement of Purpose (2 pages maximum) outlining your academic and creative writing background and areas of interest, potential thesis area, and objectives in pursuing graduate studies
- Creative Writing portfolio
- For international students, a sample of your written work, such as a course paper (15 pages maximum).
- Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (if applicable)
- Applicants whose primary language is not English, are required to submit official language test scores, unless exempted.
Please apply online. Read the how-to guide for application procedures.
| DEGREE |
FALL (September) |
WINTER (January) |
SUMMER (May/June) |
| English | MA | Jan. 15 | n/a | n/a |
How to submit your portfolio
Upload a PDF version of your portfolio on or before the application deadline.
If you are experiencing issues with uploading your portfolio, please send it to the Graduate Program Assistant grad.english@concordia.ca.
Your portfolio MUST include the portfolio cover page and a copy of your statement of purpose.
The subject line should read: Last name, first name - graduate portfolio submission
About the portfolio
It is not necessary to submit all three genres; though you may wish to reflect your strengths in various genres, the focus should be on that in which you propose to complete your thesis. If you write prose, submit 35 to (a maximum of) 45 pages (double-spaced); if poetry, 20 to (a maximum of) 25 pages (single-spaced). If you are applying in drama, you must submit one complete play. In the case of a combined-genre portfolio, the total should not exceed 35 pages (unless drama is included). Submit your strongest work that which you feel accurately represents your abilities and interests. Where possible, complete works are preferable to excerpts.
Students not accepted into the Creative Writing program may enter the Literature Option if they have met admission requirements and have indicated that they are interested in the other option on the portfolio cover page form.
We’re committed to providing students the support they need to focus on their studies. Top students benefit from scholarships and teaching assistantships, and all students are eligible for conference awards and other funding.
Please also consult the English Department’s funding page and Financial Aid and Awards.
Our faculty members are accomplished scholars across many fields of literature. Learn about the diverse research interests through our research initiatives and recent publications.
Graduate students hold writing sessions and workshops, host literary and scholarly events, and publish a journal. Learn more about Concordia Write Nights, Headlight, and visit SAGE to get involved.
An MA in English prepares you for careers that require strength in research, writing, and communication.
You’ll also be qualified to teach in Quebec’s CEGEP system.
Our graduates are well-placed to take on advanced study in a PhD program, in either English or Creative Writing. Others have become icons of the Canadian literary scene. Still others work in such fields as editing (literary, copy), publishing (as employees or as small press publishers themselves), writing for online and print magazines (e.g. Maisonneuve, The Walrus), developing video games, teaching CEGEP, teaching ESL, translating, and technical writing.