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Programs

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor of Professional Arts: Communication Studies Major

Number of credits required from Athabasca University: 30 credits.

Maximum credit awarded in this program for prior learning through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) processes: 30 credits.

For more information about this degree-completion program, please visit the Communication Studies area of study.

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of completing this program, students should be able to

  • use principles of rhetoric to assess and respond to persuasive texts in a competent and professional manner.
  • demonstrate a high level of ethical, professional conduct and attitudes.
  • display polished, persuasive, well-organized and clear writing and presentation skills.
  • apply critical analysis to a wide range of problems and suggest a variety of solutions. use advanced capacity to make sense of complex information and to make that information accessible to a general audience.
  • possess strong independent research, analytical and evaluative skills.
  • demonstrate a clear ability to research, plan, secure resources for, initiate, complete and evaluate projects and events.
  • employ disciplinary theoretical concepts to a wide range of professional contexts.
  • be critically aware and assess implications of current affairs for professional practice.
  • negotiate, and demonstrate an understanding of the history of, issues concerning the effects of popular media and their technologies on individuals and society.
  • assess and demonstrate an understanding of political, economic and legal contexts of communication for the purposes of professional practice.
  • demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between popular media systems and society in national and international contexts.
  • demonstrate an understanding of and act in the mediating role of the professional communicator within organizations, between organizations, and between the organization and the general public.
  • demonstrate an understanding of and ameliorate issues of media relations between public and private bodies.
  • demonstrate creativity, good judgment and a broad knowledge of the field in devising solutions to communications issues and problems.
  • demonstrate a strong grasp of social and organizational values, attitudes and beliefs in decision-making and problem-solving.
  • take on a leadership role in policy- and decision-making. take responsibility for establishing collaborative and collegial work settings. conceptualize, organize and actualize teams in a creative, flexible manner.
  • serve as a model in delivering or teaching professional development activities.
  • develop a clear sense of personal, professional goals and ways of achieving them.
  • discern emerging trends and articulate future directions of communications field.

Possible Career Options

  • Lobbyist
  • Public Relations Co-ordinator
  • Legislative Press Secretary
  • Community Affairs Director
  • Special Events Promoter
  • Public Affairs Analyst
  • Media Consultant
  • Corporate Communications Manager
  • Advertising Co-ordinator
  • Customer Representative
  • Communication Trainer
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Marketing Manager
  • Marketing Researcher
  • Media Planner
  • Publicist
  • Announcer
  • News Director
  • Newscaster/Narrator
  • Producer
  • Writer (e.g., news, film, documentary)
  • Director
  • Telecommunications Manager
  • Editorial Project Manager
  • Reporter
  • Managing Editor
  • Publisher
  • Researcher
  • Copy Editor
  • Correspondent
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher

Possible Further Education Options

At Athabasca University

At Other Educational Institutions*

  • graduate studies in communication studies, public relations, journalism or other related/unrelated disciplines
  • education: bachelor/master
  • social work
  • law
  • teaching English as a second language (TESL)

* Entrance requirements vary among educational institutions. It is the students’ responsibility to research the entrance requirements of other educational institutions.

Updated March 25, 2009