Program

Communications (Certificate)


APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Winter 2023: Currently accepting applications

Summer 2023: Currently accepting applications

Fall 2023: Applications open Oct. 3, 2022

Campus
Coquitlam
New Westminster
Learning Format
Full-time
Part-time
Admission Type
Open Enrolment - General Admission Requirements
Offered
Fall
Summer
Winter

Overview

Get hands-on instruction in spoken and written communications in the Certificate in Communications program. Choose from courses covering topics including intercultural communication, global media, and communication and interpersonal conflict, as well as courses from other areas that will enhance your education, such as sociology, philosophy and modern languages. Participate in discussions and presentations and engage in classroom lectures to develop your critical thinking, writing, research and presentation skills.  

The Communications Certificate gives you a solid foundation to work in entry-level positions in the fields of communications and public relations after you graduate, or to go on to further education in other fields.

Further education

Douglas offers seven first- and second-year courses that transfer directly into Simon Fraser University’s School of Communications. Plus, many Douglas College Communications courses transfer into other related programs at the University of British Columbia, Kwantlen Polytechnic University and the University of the Fraser Valley.

Not sure which courses to take? Check out the British Columbia Transfer Guide or make an appointment with Academic Advising at Douglas College.

Admissions Requirements

Cost

You can get an average cost for your program - tuition and student fees, books, uniforms, lab fees etc - on the Program Cost page. 

Only programs approved for student loan funding are listed on the Program Cost page. For all other programs, refer to the Tuition Fee page.

Program Requirements

Curriculum Framework

Graduation Requirements For Students Completing By Summer 2023:

  • Successful completion of 30 credits
  • 50% (15 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College 
  • Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: four (4) years

Graduation Requirements For Students Completing After Summer 2023:

  • Successful completion of 30 credits
  • 50% (15 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
  • Graduate in Good Academic Standing (Cumulative GPA of 1.50 - See Academic Performance Policy)
  • Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: four (4) years

Course Requirements:

Course Number Course Title Credits

Required CMNS courses:

CMNS 1104

Foundations of Intercultural Communication

3.00

CMNS 1115

Business Communication

3.00

CMNS 1125

Public Speaking

3.00

CMNS 1216

Interpersonal Skills for the Workplace

3.00

CMNS 1221

Introduction to Media and Communication Studies

3.00

Select one additional CMNS course from the following options:

CMNS 1210

Communicating and Working Effectively in Groups

3.00

CMNS 1217

Intercultural Communication in the Workplace

3.00

CMNS 1220

Communication and Social Change

3.00

CMNS 2115

Advanced Business Communication

3.00

CMNS 2125

Advanced Public Speaking

3.00

CMNS 2200

Global Media and Communication

3.00

CMNS 2223

New Media and Society

3.00

CMNS 2316

Understanding and Managing Interpersonal Conflict

3.00

CMNS 2317

Intercultural Conflict in Interpersonal Relationships

3.00

Select two courses from the following options:

PHIL 1101 Critical Thinking

3.00

PHIL 1102

Values and Contemporary Issues

3.00

PHIL 1122

Business Ethics

3.00

PHIL 2201

Logical Reasoning

3.00

POLI 1101

Introduction to Political Science

3.00

PSYC 1100

An Introduction to Psychology (I)

3.00

PSYC 1200

An Introduction to Psychology (II)

3.00

SOCI 1125

Introduction to Sociology

3.00

SOCI 1155

Social Issues

3.00

SOSC 2140

Behaviour in Organizations

3.00

Select two elective courses:

  1000 level or higher university transferable Arts or Science*

 6.00

Total Credits

 

30.00

* A University Transferable course is a course that transfers to one of the Research Universities - SFU, UBC (UBCV or UBCO), UNBC or UVIC in the BC Transfer Guide.

All 30 credits in the Communications Certificate also apply towards an Associate of Arts (AA) degree. The 18 credits of CMNS courses in the Certificate fulfill the minimum CMNS credits required for an AA degree with a specialization in CMNS. Students wanting to continue their studies to complete an AA (CMNS) will have to complete an additional 30 credits and meet other degree requirements, including taking 3 credits in ENGL and some science/math/computing/breadth requirements. For details, see the Associate of Arts (CMNS) degree

Program Guidelines

Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

Testimonials

Sport Quote

Media maven in the making

Communications student Domunique Booker will bring her game off the court with a career as a sports broadcaster.

Career Pathways

Graduates of the Communications Certificate Program work in entry-level positions in the fields of communications and public relations. Those who want to continue their studies can complete an additional year in communications and other arts courses to earn an Associate of Arts Degree with a specialization in Communications.