加拿大皇家大學

The BA in Professional Communication program examines language, media, culture and technology. The program balances the best of academic education, professional experience and practical skills, and combines a comprehensive overview of communications as an academic field with a selection of courses in professional writing, public relations, journalism, public speaking, organizational communication and new media. Graduates will be able to understand the fundamental concepts, tools, processes and techniques in communication and will have developed interpersonal, teamwork and leadership skills.

This program is delivered in two formats: as a 12-month on-campus model (combines years' three and four into an intensive 12-months) and as a 24–month blended model which incorporates online learning with two short on-campus residencies. There are four terms in the 12-month program which are comparable to full-time university semesters. The terms include four to six courses over a time frame of approximately ten weeks, with an additional week at the end of the last term for final papers and exams. Students are expected to be on campus every day.

The 24–month blended model of the BA in Professional Communication program has been developed to meet the needs of students who wish to continue their employment, while completing their third and fourth years of a bachelor's degree. The blended program is delivered through online learning and on-campus residencies, a two-week on-campus residency at the beginning of each year (with the rest of the program delivered online).

Both models offer 60 credits of coursework, and are equivalent to years' three and four of the BA, enabling successful students to graduate with a four-year BA degree. Graduates of this program will become well equipped for advancement in their careers. While training in communication skills in key to all career paths, education in professional communication is especially beneficial for careers in public relations, advertising, marketing, journalism, and corporate, technical, or web-based communication.

Outcomes

Graduates of the BA in Professional Communication will be effective communicators who understand communication is a creative, intellectual, professional activity. They will appreciate the international and intercultural frameworks and ethical parameters of socially responsible communication. They will be professionals with an understanding of communication as a human activity and be ready to enter the workforce as effective practitioners, decision-makers and supporters of communication. Finally, they will be able to function in environments that require team-work, public speaking, professional writing and publishing skills, basic computer-mediated communication, and problem-solving skills.