Master's in Fine Arts - Creative Nonfiction

At King's College, students engage in the Foundation Year Program, a comprehensive and thought-provoking curriculum that explores the great books and ideas shaping Western thought. This program lays a robust intellectual foundation, fostering critical thinking and analytical skills. With a focus on small class sizes and interactive seminars, King's College offers an intimate learning environment where students collaborate with esteemed faculty members. Beyond academics, the university encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities, creating a well-rounded educational experience. As part of the vibrant city of Halifax, students at King's College also benefit from the cultural richness and opportunities that this historic coastal city provides.

Whether you are a mid-career writer, a journalist, or an aspiring author, King’s MFA is designed for you. Bring us your idea for a novel, a collection of short stories, a narrative nonfiction book, a collection of essays, or a biography or memoir and we can help you turn it into a manuscript that’s on the road to publication. We’ll help you learn the craft and practice of being an author as you hone your skills under the mentorship of award-winning writers and editors. With the additional help of top publishing professionals in Canada and the United States, you’ll do all this and more in just two years. The bonus, of course, is that you earn a prestigious MFA degree along the way. The MFA is a two-year limited residency program. During annual June residencies on the campus at the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, students deepen their understanding of the art and craft of nonfiction writing through lectures, seminars, panels, workshops and readings as well as work intensively on their own projects with their mentors. During two online six-day January residencies, one featuring guests primarily from New York and one featuring guests from the Canadian publishing industry (most based in Toronto), students learn about the latest trends in the publishing industry and discuss their writing projects with editors, agents and publishers based in North America’s main publishing hubs. Between residencies, students take part in occasional online webinars and readings and continue to work off-campus on their two major projects—a book proposal and their book manuscript—with the support and guidance of their mentors. This low-residency feature, and the exclusive focus on creative nonfiction, make the King’s MFA the only program of its kind in Canada.

The University of King's College is a dynamic institution in Halifax, Nova Scotia, recognized for its innovative academic approach and commitment to fostering critical thinking. The university distinguishes itself through the Foundation Year Program, an intellectually enriching curriculum delving into influential works and ideas from Western thought. King's College provides an intimate learning atmosphere, emphasizing small class sizes and interactive seminars, fostering a close-knit community where students actively engage with esteemed faculty members. Beyond academics, students are encouraged to participate in diverse extracurricular activities, ensuring a holistic and vibrant educational experience. Positioned in the heart of Halifax, the university uniquely combines tradition with a contemporary approach, offering students the best of both worlds.