Communications — major

FEATURES:

• Practicum provides work experience and industry contacts
• Co-op semester(s) provide paid work experience in your field of study
• Intercultural communication course develops skills in relating to diverse peoples
• Courses include a focus on Indigenous communication methods and ways of knowing
• Program eligible for financial aid

Across disciplines and industries, employers in B.C. and Canada list communications skills as a must-have.

Indeed, to succeed in today’s high-tech, info-crazed world, the ability to weave words and images together is essential. Whether it’s an email message, oral presentation, résumé, magazine article, how-to-manual, travel brochure, novel, bus billboard, web page, or even a cereal box, communications material has to be written and presented in a clear and compelling style to appeal to its intended audience.

UFV's communications major is designed to give you a strong foundation in essential communication theory and practical skills. Every student pursues either a practicum, co-op placement, or project management course that develops job-ready skills. You'll also have room to specialize in courses that line up with your interests and lead to a career you're passionate about. You'll graduate ready for a range of career possibilities:  social media manager, advertising copywriter, public relations manager, publicity agent, technical writer, technical editor, speechwriter, grant writer, or fundraising consultant.

View program outline

Declaration of Major

You may formally declare a Communications major only after you have completed at least thirty credits in your program with a minimum of a 2.00 CGPA on all credits attempted, provided that you have also met the declaration requirements of the subject discipline. Make an appointment with an Arts advisor to declare your major.

How to apply

For information on how to add a Communications major to your degree, please make an appointment with an Arts advisor. When you are ready to apply, visit the Office of the Registrar. You can submit your application, along with the required documents and application fee, to the Office of the Registrar at any campus or centre.

When to apply

If you plan to start your studies in the fall, your application should be received by January 31. Applications received after this deadline will be considered if space is available in the program.

Some communications courses that are listed as electives for UFV programs are required by professional associations and societies, or for transfer to university programs. Contact the Communications department for information on these courses or see an advisor or refer to the B.C. Transfer Guide before registering.

What do communications professionals do?

Make and move messages within or between individuals, organizations, companies, NGOs, charities, societies, cultures, and media. They deliver ideas to public or private audiences.

What industries/fields need communications professionals?

Any organization that communicates with the public, clients, or businesses, such as corporate management, governmental management, policy producers, political and charitable interests all connect with, influence, or inform publics, clients, and strategic partners, often through the media.

Most large industries or corporate entities communicate internally, between departments, offices, or branches. Corporate communications and Organizational communications professionals shape and move this kind of messaging.

What does a communications career involve?

You shape the public or private/interior voice and identity of an organization, in writing, webpage design, A/V, social media, and public/media engagement.

If you’ve ever interacted with a company, a charity, a government, or an NGO, a professional communicator created the pathways, the messages, and the materials, and the themes for that communication.

See the list of career possibilities for comms grads

Composition Placement Test (CPT)

The CPT is an English placement test designed to assess writing and grammar skills. The CPT may be used in place of English 12 as a prerequisite for many UFV courses. For more information about the Composition Placement Test please visit Assessment Services.

View the Communications Major entrance requirements in the UFV Academic Calendar.

This program is open for international students

• How to apply

1. Demonstrate proficiency in creating professional communication materials that draw on a wide spectrum of media to achieve specific purposes and meet the needs of particular audiences.
2. Apply effective and professional communication skills to interpersonal, team, organizational, and culturally diverse contexts.
3. Engage in, interpret, and report on research.
4. Employ industry-standard document design techniques to various workplace contexts.
5. Apply rhetorical principles to the creation of oral, print, visual, and digital communication.
6. Work effectively with peers and mentors in community settings through work-integrated learning.
7. Apply principles of visual communication to produce targeted visual content using a variety of technological tools.
8. Adapt and respond strategically to the rapidly changing and dynamic communication situations of industry, business, and community sectors.
9. Apply ethical principles of accuracy, credibility, fairness, transparency, accountability, and personal integrity to all communication activities and practices.
10. Build relationships with communities and businesses in the region through experiential learning.

Email: cmns@ufv.ca
or ask online