Professional Development, Education, and Workshops

— Last checked August 2025 by Doris Fiedrich.

Professional Development/Education

• Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP): Expert trainers offering current knowledge and practical insights. Small group sessions for hands-on learning and networking. Customized content based on pre-course questionnaires. Updated curriculum reflecting industry trends. Comprehensive course materials and additional reading materials provided. Visit Site
• Alberta Magazine Publishers Association – Professional Development: AMPA offers professional development webinars and seminars throughout the year, as well as a resource library. Visit Site
• BCIT – BC Institute of Technology, School of Business + Media: The Broadcast and Online Journalism diploma program gives students the opportunity to work as a hands-on journalist in news, sports and current affairs. Students will be mentored by experienced faculty and connect with professionals in the field. The emphasis is on multi-platform production putting this program on the cutting edge of journalism schools across the country. Visit Site
• Langara College, Department of Journalism: The Langara Journalism programs give students in-depth and hands-on experience in writing, copy-editing, research, news gathering, interviewing, and storytelling for a variety of multimedia platforms and subjects. 2-year diploma. Visit Site 1-year certificate. Visit Site
• Langara College, Department of Journalism: Microcredentials and Microcourses – stand-alone, short duration, for credit learning experiences. Visit Site
• Linkedin Learning: Access to a variety of resources taught by real-world professionals. Learn at your own pace with the interactive learning such as exercise files and quizzes. If you live in Canada or the US, chances are you have completely free and unrestricted access through your local library. Visit Site
  
• Okanagan College, Diploma in Writing and Publishing: This two-year diploma blends study in English, creative writing, editing, and communications theory with applied technical skills in graphic design, typography, coding, and book publishing. Visit Site
• Toronto Metropolitan University, The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education:  A range of magazine, web publishing and journalism courses are offered and designed for individuals who are planning a career in the web publishing or magazine industry, or already working at a magazine or website and looking to sharpen the skills they use in their work. Visit Site
  
• SFU – Simon Fraser University, Publishing: The Masters of Publishing (MPub) program helps graduate candidates develop the practical and conceptual tools they need to launch their career in the fast-changing publishing industry and contribute to the creative sector in Canada and beyond. SFU also offers an Undergraduate Minor in Print and Digital Publishing program, comprising a broad range of courses in publishing. Visit Site
• SMEI Diploma Program in Sales & Marketing Management: This Vancouver chapter of the New York-based nonprofit association of Sales & Marketing Executives International provides a Diploma Program in Marketing & Sales Management at the Sauder School of Business at UBC. Other online certifications are offered through the SMEI site. Visit Site
• UBC Extended Learning: UBC writing programs and courses provide flexible career courses to the community.  These courses are to support all writers for various types of writing purposes: writing content for blog posts, magazine and newspaper articles, digital media, editing and storytelling skills, and more. Visit Site
• UBC – University of British Columbia, School of Journalism, Writing, and Media (JWAM): JWAM at UBC is a new unit for innovative research, teaching, and practice in journalism and media, writing and communication, and knowledge production and mobilization. It brings together the graduate Master of Journalism program and the undergraduate Writing Studies program. Visit Site
• VIU – University of Vancouver Island, Department of Creative Writing and Journalism: The department offers introductory, intermediate and advanced-level courses in book publishing, dramatic writing (including writing for the stage and scriptwriting for radio, television and film), fiction, journalism, and poetry, leading to a B.A. with a Major or Minor in Creative Writing and a B.A. with a Minor in Journalism. Visit Site

Selected Workshops

• Asian Canadian Writers’ Workshop: The workshop is organized to promote the cultural activities of Asian Canadian literary arts. The workshops and events are conducted in English. There is a small discount for members and membership is free. Visit Site
• The Burnaby Photographic Society: The association arranges weekly meetings from September to May to discuss photography, talk about new products and innovations, offer critique sessions as well guest speakers and workshops. The topics are related to various aspects of photography for both professional and non-professional photographers. Visit Site
• Editors BC, Professional Development Seminars and Events: Full and half-day seminars on topics related to editing, freelancing and managing your business. Visit Site
  
• Federation of BC Writers: FBCW offers programs, workshops and events to support all writers, both emerging writers and seasoned professionals. Visit Site
• The Los Angeles Review of Books Publishing Workshop: The LARB Publishing Workshop is an intensive  summer training program for aspiring publishing professionals with an emphasis on diverse and innovative publishing opportunities. Visit Site
• Marketing Workshops: Offered by Lonsdale Avenue Magazine, North Vancouver, BC. Visit Site
• SFU Publishing Workshops: An annual series of courses and short programs for professional writers and publishers, including a symposium and lecture series. At SFU Harbour Centre in Vancouver. Check back for current offerings. Visit Site
• Vancouver Women’s Writing Courses: They offer several different writing workshops, including one-on-one sessions and writing retreats, as well as the Women’s Online Writing as Healing Workshop – the series is designed to inspire writing, creativity and self-connection – and more for women and the corporate sector. Visit Site