In 1978, King’s created Atlantic Canada’s only degree program in journalism. In the four decades since, the School of Journalism has played a leading role in strengthening journalism in Atlantic Canada and beyond.
Today, the University of King’s College announces a major development in the school’s growth with the creation of the School of Journalism, Writing & Publishing. The new school builds on a foundation of innovation in journalism and publishing education and cements King’s role as an essential media and publishing sector partner regionally and nationally.
The new school will house the King’s journalism undergraduate, advanced and graduate programs, as well as the writing and publishing MFA programs in creative nonfiction—and now a new MFA in Fiction—creating a hub for journalism, writing and publishing education unique in the region and the country.
“The expansion of the School of Journalism into the School of Journalism, Writing & Publishing is an exciting next step for King’s, as we develop new and innovative ways to teach both journalistic and creative writing,” says King’s President William Lahey. “The School of Journalism’s more than four decades of excellence provides a formidable foundation on which to build.
“King’s prides itself on having been a longstanding leader and partner in the media sector through the School of Journalism. The MFA program has allowed King’s to become a partner to the book publishing sector as well. The expansion of our offerings within the newly named School of Journalism, Writing &
Publishing positions King’s to continue its contributions to the media, arts and cultural life of Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada and beyond.”
New name reflects the school’s growing role across sectors
In 2011, in collaboration with Dalhousie, King’s launched the Master of Journalism program. Attracting students from around the world, the program was extensively updated in 2020 while remaining focused on enterprising, deeply researched journalism built around a robust professional project completed over nine months.
“For more than 40 years, the School of Journalism has been a leader in educating generations of journalists—journalists who have gone on to leadership roles regionally, nationally and internationally,” says Fred Vallance-Jones, the new director of journalism. “King’s has played a particularly important role in fostering journalistic excellence in Atlantic Canada, with graduates going on to launch new journalistic endeavors, lead existing newsrooms, investigate and uncover major news stories and develop innovative ways to tell those stories.”
New MFA in Fiction
King’s was the first university in Canada to launch a limited-residency MFA in Creative Nonfiction, a program that is still the only one of its kind in Canada. With over 40 books to its graduates’ credit, the program has had national impact and has become an integral part of the regional publishing ecosystem.
In 2023, King’s will launch a second limited-residency MFA, this one in fiction, cementing the university’s longstanding role as a leader in journalism, writing and publishing. This new program will also be unique in Canada, offering students—including those with an interest in writing mystery, science fiction, fantasy and other genre fiction—the opportunity to work one-to-one with mentors in a limited-residency program that allows them to continue to live and work in their home communities.
“The limited-residency MFA in Creative Nonfiction has proven to be an incredibly successful model for teaching aspiring authors about the craft and business of nonfiction publishing,” says Kim Pittaway, executive director of the MFA in Creative Nonfiction. “By adding a fiction stream, we’ll be helping more students tell more stories, reaching more readers with work that is innovative, creative and just plain great storytelling.
“Publishers, agents and editors already view the King’s MFA in Creative Nonfiction program as a talent pool. They’ve told us they’re eager to see the works of fiction that emerge from our new MFA in Fiction program and are already lining up to take part in the networking opportunities we provide to our students.”
King’s three Masters degrees are offered in partnership with Dalhousie University.
