An Associate Degree is equivalent to the first two years of a four-year university degree. Universities in British Columbia will guarantee 60 transfer credits to holders of an Associate Degree.
Students must meet the grade point average (GPA) established by each university for admission. Upon completion, students qualify to apply for a post-graduate work permit in Canada.
Program Overview
- The Associate of Arts Degree in Communication allows students to learn about the various critical approaches to media and technology in historical and cultural contexts. It also prepares students to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Communication or a related field.
- Students will explore and analyze the various dimensions of communication.
- Graduates will gain literacy in media and information technologies.
- Students will be able to explore various areas in Communication such as advertising, cultural industries, informational technology, history of media, digital media, political economy, and television.
Skills Gained
- Strong understanding of the relationship between media and society.
- Professional verbal and written communication that can be transferred to a business setting.
- Awareness of social, organizational, and global issues.
- Critical thinking skills to evaluate and solve problems.
- Ability to share information using various information and communication technologies.
Accelerated Associate Degree: Tri-mester system
- Students benefit from the tri-mester system with intakes in January, May, and September. This means students can take more courses over a 12-month period and can complete an Associate Degree in 16 months or two years.
- Students take a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 courses per semester.
- Students who do not wish to accelerate can complete an Associate Degree in 2 years.
Program Curriculum Framework
Must include: All requirements of an Associate of Arts Degree
20 courses (minimum 60 credits) of 1st & 2nd year courses, to include at least 6 courses (minimum 18 credits) in Arts at the 2nd year level, taken in two or more subject areas.
1st Year Courses
| CMNS 110 Introduction to Communication Theory |
| CMNS 130 Explorations in Communications |
Choose 3 Courses
| CMNS 205 Introduction to Intercultural Communication |
| CMNS 210 Social History of the Media |
| CMNS 220 Understanding Television |
| CMNS 223 Advertising as Social Communication |
| CMNS 230 Cultural Industries to Canada |
| CMNS 253 Introduction to Information Technology: The New Media |
| CMNS 262 Research Methods in Communication |
Career Possibilities
Approximately 748,500 job openings in British Columbia within the next 10 years will require some forms of post-secondary education
(British Columbia Labour Market Report Outlook: 2023 Edition, p. 4)
#1 in Canada, B.C. has the highest salary increase for 2023 for all industries compared to all over provinces.
(www.hrreporter.com)
Who Should Apply?
Students Who:
- Have an interest in developing an understanding of environmental, economic, technological, and political issues in our society.
- Wish to gain a better understanding of the world around them as well as learn about human interaction.