Bachelor of Communication Studies Degree
The Bachelor of Communication Studies (BCS) combines the critical analysis of communication, media and culture with applied communication skills. It directs these towards both scholarly investigation of and practical experience in specific areas of professional communication, including:
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Public and media relations
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Communication ethics, policy and law
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Critical media and communication studies
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Professional writing, editing and publishing
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Negotiation, mediation and crisis communication
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Intercultural, organizational and interpersonal communication
The general aim of the BCS is to supply its students with the professional competencies and critical thinking perspectives necessary for diverse careers or graduate-level study in communication fields.
In years 1 and 2, students are introduced to key theoretical frameworks and critical traditions as well as to foundational communication skills (writing, editing and public speaking). In year 3, students take advanced seminars that explore areas of strategic communication practice. In year 4, students enroll in project-based courses that bridge the classroom and the real world and through which they can build experience in communication as a professional practice. Students also complete either a capstone internship or graduating project.
All courses in the BCS are delivered on the North Vancouver campus of Capilano University. Students enrolled in full-time study (5 courses per semester) can expect to complete the program within 4 calendar years. Students may elect to enroll part-time, with the expectation that it may take longer to complete the program, depending on the course load students are willing to accept.
Students should expect to spend about 1 hour of preparation (not including assignments) for every hour of class time (approximately 8 hours per week per course). Courses often include both individual and group assignments, and it is expected that students exercise a degree of professionalism in completing such assignments, including showing initiative in the co-ordination and management of course work.
The Bachelor of Communication Studies prepares students for careers in:
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Public relations
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Media relations
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Publishing, writing, & editing
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Communication research and policy analysis
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Journalism
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Communication co-ordination & management
It also supplies a rigorous academic foundation for students interested in pursuing graduate level study in communication or cognate areas such as sociology, cultural studies, political studies, journalism or literary studies.
Students are able to enter the BCS at three points - at first, second, or third year. Students transferring into the BCS at a stage later than direct first year admission must meet the general admissions requirements noted above, and (if they completed post-secondary studies at an institution other than Capilano) initiate the credit transfer process described below. Such students should consult with a program advisor to determine their stage in the degree curriculum and to plan course selection to ensure timely completion of degree requirements.
Students wishing to transfer credits from other post-secondary institutions must ensure that the courses they seek equivalency for correspond in substance to program requirements in the BCS. The transfer process is initiated by the student through the Registrar's Office. For courses taken at other British Columbia post-secondary institutions, please refer to the BC Transfer Guide (www.bctransferguide.ca) to check transferability.
The Communications Division at Capilano University recognises that there are occasions on which applicants may have met program objectives or outcomes in ways other than through recent prior post-secondary study. In such cases, prior learning assessments may be conducted to grant credit for prior learning as appropriate.
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BC Secondary School Graduation (Grade 12) or equivalent or Mature Student status
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English 12 or English 12 First Peoples or equivalent with a grade of "B"
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Admission to years 1, 2 or 3 based on Prior Learning Assessment (course transfer, substitution, equivalency)
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English Language Requirement, TOEFL/ELA/IELTS/CAEL/PTE for students whose primary language is not English: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): paper=560, computer=220, internet=83, or English Language Assessment (ELA)=145, or International English Language Testing System (IELTS)=6.5 overall, and no one score less than 6, or Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)=70, or Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic)=56 or Capilano University ESLF 080 with a minimum B+ grade.
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Interview for mature students
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EDT with result allowing entry to ENGL 100
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Letter of intent, resume.
The Bachelor of Communication Studies runs over eight semesters, with core courses and communication electives generally being offered in the Fall and Spring semesters. A limited number of communication courses are offered in the Summer, so students wishing to continue their studies in the Summer semester are encouraged to take elective credits.
Admissions to the BCS are for Fall semester (starting in September) and Spring semester (starting in January). Applications are open year round. Applications are reviewed individually by the program faculty and admissions are granted on a first-come, first-served basis to a maximum of 70 students in the Fall semester and 35 in the Spring semester. Students who meet the BCS admissions requirements will be notified by letter.
Students who meet the BCS admissions criteria but apply after the program intake has been reached will be admitted to the program, however cannot be guaranteed seats in required courses until the second semester. Such students are advised to use the first semester in making up elective requirements in Arts & Sciences.
Information meetings are generally held in March, April, May and October. Students should consult the Communications Division web pages for details: www.capilanou.ca/cmns.
The BCS is designed for those interested in a range of communication professions, and will enable and support their interest by establishing, broadening, and diversifying their academic knowledge and professional skills. The program is of interest to those embarking on careers in communication fields, or those with work experience seeking professional advancement or a change in careers.
The Bachelor of Communication Studies accepts students for both Fall (September start) and Spring (January start) semesters.
Apply for Admission/Readmission online or by downloading and completing an application form. Completed applications must be accompanied by the appropriate application fee, official transcripts and other pertinent documents, and should be submitted to:
Registrar's Office Capilano University, Birch building, room 230 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver, B.C. V7J 3H5 Phone: 604.984.4900 Fax: 604.984.1798
Please see the Fees and Fee Payment section of the Capilano website. Financial aid is available to eligible students for eligible programs. For more information, please see Financial Aid and Awards.
| Intakes: | Campus | Terms | Full/Part Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Vancouver | Fall | Both | |
| North Vancouver | Spring | Both |
| First Term | Course Credits | Required Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credits | 15.00 | ||
| Required: | 3.00 | ||
| ENGL 100 | Academic Writing Strategies | 3.00 | |
| Choose 3.00 credits from the following list: | 3.00 | ||
| CMNS 112 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 132 | Explorations in Mass Media | 3.00 | |
| Choose 3.00 credits from the following list: | 3.00 | ||
| CMNS 185 | Presentation Skills for Public Speaking | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 190 | Magazine Article Writing | 3.00 | |
| Choose 6.00 credits of electives: | 6.00 | ||
| See Elective list below | 6.00 | ||
| Second Term | Course Credits | Required Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credits | 15.00 | ||
| Choose 3.00 credits from the following list: | 3.00 | ||
| CMNS 112 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 132 | Explorations in Mass Media | 3.00 | |
| Choose 3.00 credits from the following list: | 3.00 | ||
| CMNS 185 | Presentation Skills for Public Speaking | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 190 | Magazine Article Writing | 3.00 | |
| Choose 9.00 credits of electives: | 9.00 | ||
| See Elective list below | 9.00 | ||
| Third Term | Course Credits | Required Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credits | 15.00 | ||
| Required: | 3.00 | ||
| CMNS 220 | Advanced Business Writing and Editing | 3.00 | |
| Choose 6.00 credits from the following list: | 6.00 | ||
| CMNS 209 | History of Media | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 222 | Decoding Media Strategies | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 231 | Cultural Industries in Canada | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 235 | Understanding News | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 236 | Understanding Television | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 253 | Society and New Media | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 255 | Interpersonal Communications | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 270 | Visual Communication | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 295 | The Culture of Advertising | 3.00 | |
| Choose 6.00 credits of electives: | 6.00 | ||
| See Elective list below | 6.00 | ||
| Fourth Term | Course Credits | Required Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credits | 15.00 | ||
| Required: | 3.00 | ||
| CMNS 285 | Advanced Presentation Skills | 3.00 | |
| Choose 3.00 credits from the following list: | 3.00 | ||
| CMNS 260 | Applied Communication Research Methods | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 261 | Interpreting Communication Documents | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 262 | Qualitative Research Methods in Communication Studies | 3.00 | |
| Choose 6.00 credits from the following list: | 6.00 | ||
| CMNS 209 | History of Media | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 222 | Decoding Media Strategies | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 231 | Cultural Industries in Canada | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 235 | Understanding News | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 236 | Understanding Television | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 253 | Society and New Media | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 255 | Interpersonal Communications | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 270 | Visual Communication | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 295 | The Culture of Advertising | 3.00 | |
| Choose 3.00 credits of electives: | 3.00 | ||
| See Elective list below | 3.00 | ||
| Fifth Term | Course Credits | Required Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credits | 15.00 | ||
| Required: | 3.00 | ||
| BADM 318 | Project Management | 3.00 | |
| Choose 3.00 credits from the following list: | 3.00 | ||
| CMNS 260 | Applied Communication Research Methods | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 261 | Interpreting Communication Documents | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 262 | Qualitative Research Methods in Communication Studies | 3.00 | |
| Choose 6.00 credits from the following list: | 6.00 | ||
| CMNS 330 | Communication Ethics | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 331 | Communication Policy and Law | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 333 | Negotiation & Mediation | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 352 | Organizational Communication | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 353 | Communication Technology in the Workplace and Everyday Life | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 355 | Intercultural Communication | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 370 | Photography as Communication: Fact and Fiction | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 380 | Applied Cultural Criticism | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 390 | Publishing for the 21st Century | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 395 | Public and Media Relations | 3.00 | |
| Choose 3.00 credits of electives: | 3.00 | ||
| See Elective list below | 3.00 | ||
| Sixth Term | Course Credits | Required Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credits | 15.00 | ||
| Required: | 3.00 | ||
| CMNS 360 | Strategic Communication | 3.00 | |
| Choose 3.00 credits from the following list: | 3.00 | ||
| CMNS 330 | Communication Ethics | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 331 | Communication Policy and Law | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 333 | Negotiation & Mediation | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 352 | Organizational Communication | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 353 | Communication Technology in the Workplace and Everyday Life | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 355 | Intercultural Communication | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 370 | Photography as Communication: Fact and Fiction | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 380 | Applied Cultural Criticism | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 390 | Publishing for the 21st Century | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 395 | Public and Media Relations | 3.00 | |
| Choose 3.00 credits from the following list: | 3.00 | ||
| CMNS 412 | Special Topics in Communication Studies | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 431 | Project Group Communication Policy and Law | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 433 | Project Group in Risk and Crisis Communication | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 453 | Project Group in Communication and New Media | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 490 | Project Group in Publishing | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 495 | Project Group in Media Campaigns | 3.00 | |
| Choose 6.00 credits of electives: | 6.00 | ||
| See Elective list below | 6.00 | ||
| Seventh Term | Course Credits | Required Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credits | 15.00 | ||
| Choose 3.00 credits from the following list: | 3.00 | ||
| CMNS 330 | Communication Ethics | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 331 | Communication Policy and Law | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 333 | Negotiation & Mediation | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 352 | Organizational Communication | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 353 | Communication Technology in the Workplace and Everyday Life | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 355 | Intercultural Communication | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 370 | Photography as Communication: Fact and Fiction | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 380 | Applied Cultural Criticism | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 390 | Publishing for the 21st Century | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 395 | Public and Media Relations | 3.00 | |
| Choose 3.00 credits from the following list: | 3.00 | ||
| Note: CMNS 462 is the prerequisite for CMNS 499. | |||
| CMNS 412 | Special Topics in Communication Studies | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 431 | Project Group Communication Policy and Law | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 433 | Project Group in Risk and Crisis Communication | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 453 | Project Group in Communication and New Media | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 462 | Design Practice in Communication Research | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 490 | Project Group in Publishing | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 495 | Project Group in Media Campaigns | 3.00 | |
| Choose 9.00 credits of electives: | 9.00 | ||
| See Elective list below | 9.00 | ||
| Eighth Term | Course Credits | Required Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credits | 15.00 | ||
| Choose 3.00 credits from the following list: | 3.00 | ||
| CMNS 412 | Special Topics in Communication Studies | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 431 | Project Group Communication Policy and Law | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 433 | Project Group in Risk and Crisis Communication | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 453 | Project Group in Communication and New Media | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 490 | Project Group in Publishing | 3.00 | |
| CMNS 495 | Project Group in Media Campaigns | 3.00 | |
| Choose 6.00 credits from the following list: | 6.00 | ||
| 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 498 | Communication Internship | 6.00 | |
| CMNS 499 | Undergraduate Thesis | 3.00 | |
| Choose 6.00 credits of electives: | 6.00 | ||
| See Elective list below | 6.00 | ||
| Electives | Course Credits | Required Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credits | 0.00 | ||
| Total Program Credits | 120.00 | ||
| Choose from the following list: | 0.00 | ||
| 12 credits from Business, 6 of which must be from upper division courses | 12.00 | ||
| 12 credits from Humanities, 6 of which must be from upper division courses | 12.00 | ||
| 12 credits from Social Sciences, 6 of which must be from upper division courses | 12.00 | ||
| 6 credits from Science/Applied Science | 6.00 | ||
| 6 credits of a foreign language | 6.00 | ||