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Bachelor of Communication Studies Degree

Faculty of Business & Professional Studies School of Communication

Credential
Bachelor

Duration
4 year(s)

Program Highlights

The Bachelor of Communication Studies degree at CapU combines theory and practice in a project-based curriculum in various areas of strategic communication.

A background in communications is vital to getting into the job market. You can find CapU communications grads working in city halls, non-profits and major industry.

In the program, you'll learn critical approaches to media, communication and culture together with applied skills in writing, editing and public speaking.

You can focus your expertise by taking classes across the spectrum of communication.

Start building the career you want in the fast-paced field of communications. Contact us today to learn more. 

  • Identify, evaluate and apply major theoretical traditions in communication studies.
  • Assess and explain the development of communication media, practices and industries.
  • Demonstrate critical media literacy as both producers and consumers of communication.
  • Employ basic research methods for projects in communication and media studies.
  • Analyse the perspectives from which diverse stakeholders engage in communication.
  • Risk and crisis communication
  • Communication and Canadian culture
  • Communication law and policy
  • Events planning
  • Advocacy communication
  • Political communication
  • Social media

Admission Requirements

English language requirements

English is the language of instruction at CapU. All applicants are required to demonstrate competence in the English language prior to admission.

If English is not your first language or you’ve received your education in a language other than English, you must meet our English Language Requirements.

Basic requirements

  • High school graduation
  • English Studies 12 (C+) or English 12 (C+) or English First Peoples 12 (C+)
  • For students with previous post-secondary experience, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (on a scale of 4.33) or equivalent

Admission Notes

Please note that the admission requirements are minimum requirements. 

ENGL 100 is a required course in the Bachelor of Communication Studies. In order to enroll in any English course, students must submit the results of the English Diagnostic Test (EDT) or the Language Proficiency Index Test (LPI) unless they meet the EDT/LPI exemptions.

Program Requirements

First Year

Total credits: 30.00

Required:
CMNS 112Introduction to Communication Studies3.00 credits
CMNS 132Explorations in Mass Media3.00 credits
CMNS 185Presentation Skills for Public Speaking3.00 credits
CMNS 190Writing for Popular Media3.00 credits
ENGL 100University Writing Strategies3.00 credits
Choose 15.00 credits of electives:
See Elective list below15.00 credits

 

Second Year

Total credits: 30.00

Required:
CMNS 220Advanced Business Writing and Editing3.00 credits
Choose 3.00 credits from the following list:
CMNS 261Interpreting Communication Documents3.00 credits
CMNS 262Qualitative Research Methods in Communication Studies3.00 credits
Choose 15.00 credits from the following list:
CMNS 209History of Media3.00 credits
CMNS 222Communication and Ideology3.00 credits
CMNS 231Cultural Industries in Canada3.00 credits
CMNS 235Understanding News3.00 credits
CMNS 236Understanding Television3.00 credits
CMNS 241Software for Magazine Publishing3.00 credits
CMNS 253Society and Digital Media3.00 credits
CMNS 255Interpersonal Communication3.00 credits
CMNS 270Visual Communication3.00 credits
CMNS 285Advanced Presentation Skills3.00 credits
CMNS 295The Culture of Advertising3.00 credits
Choose 9.00 credits of electives:
See Elective list below9.00 credits

 

Third Year

Total credits: 30.00

Required:
BADM 318Project Management3.00 credits
CMNS 360Strategic Communication3.00 credits
Choose 3.00 credits from the following list:
CMNS 261Interpreting Communication Documents3.00 credits
CMNS 262Qualitative Research Methods in Communication Studies3.00 credits
Choose 9.00 credits from the following list:
CMNS 322Videogames: Culture, Theory and Criticism3.00 credits
CMNS 330Communication Ethics3.00 credits
CMNS 331Communication Policy and Law3.00 credits
CMNS 333Conflict and Communication3.00 credits
CMNS 351Editing for Popular Media3.00 credits
CMNS 352Organizational Communication3.00 credits
CMNS 353Technology and Everyday Life3.00 credits
CMNS 355Intercultural Communication3.00 credits
CMNS 370Photography as Communication: Fact and Fiction3.00 credits
CMNS 380Applied Cultural Criticism3.00 credits
CMNS 395Public and Media Relations3.00 credits
Choose 3.00 credits from the following list:
CMNS 412Special Topics in Communication Studies3.00 credits
CMNS 431Project Group Communication Policy and Law3.00 credits
CMNS 433Project Group in Risk and Crisis Communication3.00 credits
CMNS 453Project Group in Communication and New Media3.00 credits
CMNS 490Project Group in Publishing3.00 credits
CMNS 495Project Group in Media Campaigns3.00 credits
Choose 9.00 credits of electives:
See Elective list below9.00 credits

 

Fourth Year

Total credits: 30.00

Choose 3.00 credits from the following list:
CMNS 322Videogames: Culture, Theory and Criticism3.00 credits
CMNS 330Communication Ethics3.00 credits
CMNS 331Communication Policy and Law3.00 credits
CMNS 333Conflict and Communication3.00 credits
CMNS 351Editing for Popular Media3.00 credits
CMNS 352Organizational Communication3.00 credits
CMNS 353Technology and Everyday Life3.00 credits
CMNS 355Intercultural Communication3.00 credits
CMNS 370Photography as Communication: Fact and Fiction3.00 credits
CMNS 380Applied Cultural Criticism3.00 credits
CMNS 395Public and Media Relations3.00 credits
Choose 6.00 credits from the following list:

Note: CMNS 462 is the prerequisite for CMNS 499.

CMNS 412Special Topics in Communication Studies3.00 credits
CMNS 431Project Group Communication Policy and Law3.00 credits
CMNS 433Project Group in Risk and Crisis Communication3.00 credits
CMNS 453Project Group in Communication and New Media3.00 credits
CMNS 462Advanced Communication Research Practice3.00 credits
CMNS 490Project Group in Publishing3.00 credits
CMNS 495Project Group in Media Campaigns3.00 credits
CMNS 499Communication Research Project3.00 credits
Choose 6.00 credits from the following list:

Note: Students choosing to take CMNS 499 must have completed CMNS 462 as a prerequisite and are required to complete one additional 400-level CMNS elective course from the above list to meet the total program credit requirements.

CMNS 462Advanced Communication Research Practice3.00 credits
CMNS 498Communication Practicum6.00 credits
CMNS 499Communication Research Project3.00 credits
Choose 15.00 credits of electives:
See Elective list below15.00 credits

 

Electives

Choose from the following list:

48 elective credits (excluding CMNS courses), no more than 18 of which are to come from any single subject area and at least 12 of which must be upper level credits. Students must take a minimum of 3 credits designated as Quantitative/Analytical.

 

Total program credits: 120.00

Program Notes

Students pursuing a baccalaureate degree must meet Cap Core graduation requirements in addition to their program requirements.

Contact

Have questions about this program?

School of Communication


604 990 7939
cmns@capilanou.ca

Student Information Services


604 984 4900
604 984 1798 (fax)
Library Building, room LB152
registration@capilanou.ca