Professional Communication

"Content is king." "The medium is the message." "A picture is worth a thousand words."

These adages spark your curiosity because you're fascinated by how humans send and receive information.

You know communication influences every facet of our modern lives — culture, politics, society, digital media, commerce, arts.

In the Master of Arts in Professional Communication, you'll study strategy and theory underpinning the expansive field of communications.

You'll examine all the ways people encounter messages and how these messages influence behaviours, beliefs and outcomes. You'll sharpen your skills and tactics to lead — and achieve — your organization's strategic communication goals.

Advance your career

You can continue working while you take this blended learning graduate program.

Unique to programs of this kind in Canada, Royal Roads' Master of Arts in Professional Communication allows you to apply what you're learning immediately through practical projects and your own place of work.

As a graduate of the Master of Arts in Professional Communication, you'll have the education — and credential — you need for professional advancement. You'll be well positioned to seize new career opportunities and move ahead in your organization.

What you'll learn

You'll take a set of core communication courses that cover:

• theory, strategy, processes and methods of communication
• culture, media and technology
• ways to align communication with organizational objectives

You'll also select elective courses within the program, allowing you to the flexibility to shape your studies to fit your interests. The number of electives you take depends on what program completion option you choose.

Program completion options

You'll choose one of three options to complete this program:

1. thesis
2. research paper
3. course-based

Each of these options gives you the opportunity to focus your studies on an area that will most benefit your interests and work.

Program feature

A highlight of the Master of Arts in Professional Communication is the Live Case Challenge, which takes place during one of this program's residencies.

Client organizations present a communication challenge to teams of students. The teams research and analyze the issue then devise a communications plan with recommendations. Teams will deliver a formal presentation to their peers and the client.

Graduates of the program find so much value in the Live Case Challenge that they frequently return to Royal Roads to participate as clients. Their organizations benefit from the strategy, creativity and enthusiasm of current students.

Who it's for

This blended learning program is a good fit for working professionals who wish to take a strategic approach to communications.

You might be a communications professional looking to move your career forward. You'll sharpen your skills and knowledge and have credentials behind your name to advise executives — and become one yourself.

Or, you might be in another industry like web design, film, athletics, health or technology. You've seen how communications impacts your work and has broad influence. You want to learn more about how meaning gets transmitted to open new opportunities for yourself.

Our students are fascinated by our communication-charged society and are eager to learn how communication works.

Your peers

Our students come from a variety of fields. They work in corporations, government, small businesses and non-profits. They are leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators in the workplace.

Many have been doing tactical communications work — media releases, social media, copywriting — and now want to study communications theory and strategy in depth.

You'll study in a cohort of professionals who are like you — juggling work, family and life events. You're in this together. In this collegial program, your classroom colleagues and faculty members will engage with you in interesting conversations about communication and its influence in the world today.

Personal and professional diversity enriches the learning environment. It leads to deeper conversations and analysis of how course materials apply issues in society. Your peers will become a key part of your professional network for years to come.

Standard admission

• Completion of a four-year (or comparable) undergraduate degree in a relevant field, from a recognized post-secondary institution.
• Evidence of having sufficient knowledge, skills and abilities to complete a demanding academic course of study at a master's level
• Normally, at least two years of work or volunteer experience, preferably in a leadership capacity.

Flexible admission

Applicants who do not meet the standard admission requirements will be considered for flexible admission and assessed as follows:

• Applicants without an undergraduate degree, but more than three years (90 credits) of relevant post-secondary education, should have at least three years of relevant work experience, preferably in a leadership capacity.
• Applicants with 2-3 years (60-90 credits) of relevant post-secondary education should have at least five years of relevant work experience in a leadership capacity.
• Applicants with less than two years of relevant post-secondary education should have at least ten years of high-level, professional communication experience in a leadership capacity.

English language proficiency

• If English is not your primary language, please review our English language requirements.

Additional recommendations

• Academic writing skills are required for success in this program and an English composition course, at a recognized post-secondary institution, focused on academic writing is therefore recommended. The Academic Writing and Critical Thinking course offered through Continuing Studies at Royal Roads University meets this recommendation.
• If your application is assessed under flexible admission, you may be asked to submit a digital portfolio (disk or flash drive) of your previous work, learning and accomplishments (e.g. written work, project management, consulting work, etc.) in the field of communication.

All applications to this program require submission of the following information and supporting documents before your file can be assessed for admission:

Application form

In order to apply online, you will be required to create a log-in account using your email address. You will be required to list all credit courses and/or programs you have completed or are currently enrolled in. An application fee will be required. If your application fees are being paid by a third party, review sponsored student information. Once submitted, you may check the status of your application at any time.

Official transcripts

Applicants are responsible for arranging for the submission of official transcripts from ALL post-secondary (higher education) institutions currently or previously attended, for all credit courses and/or programs. Transcripts are not required for non-credit programs or courses, though some programs may require proof of professional certifications or designations.

Transcripts are considered official only if submitted directly by the Registrar or other recognized authority of the providing institution in the institution's original, sealed envelope. If the envelope has been opened, the transcripts are no longer official and new (official) transcripts will be required to complete your application.

All international transcripts or credentials are subject to an international transcript and/or credential evaluation.

If applicable:

• Applicants declaring permanent resident or Convention Refugee status in Canada, must submit a copy of their Permanent Resident Card (PR card) along with their application.
• Transcript evaluation fee or credential evaluation report, if submitting international transcripts.
• An official English language proficiency score report or other evidence of proficiency if English is not your primary language.
• Other information or documents as may be requested to determine your eligibility.

For information on how and where to send your supporting documents, please refer to the document submission guidelines.

Additional requirements for flexible admission

For applicants who will be reviewed under the flexible admission process the following additional supporting documents will be required:

Personal statement

Your personal statement should be no less than a one-page letter indicating your motivation for seeking entrance to the program. Your statement should comment upon your personal and career goals, the expectations you have for the program in relation to the achievement of your goals, and the strengths you feel you can bring to the program. The statement must be the work of the applicant.

Letters of reference

It is ideal if one reference letter is based on your work experience and the other based on either your academic performance or community service that you have undertaken.

Typically, reference letters are very individual documents that can take any sort of format. In essence, we are looking for the reference letters to confirm that you are a suitable candidate for the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, i.e. that your referee feels you will succeed in such a program (and why), that they feel it will benefit you (and why), and whatever else the referee knows about you that makes you a good fit for the program. The context in which the referee has come to know you should also be mentioned.

Length and level of detail in the letters can vary; there is no set standard.

Detailed resume

Your resume should include the following:

• Education: List all post secondary education, degrees, diplomas, and certificates you have achieved.
• Training/professional development: List career related training and professional development programs completed within the past five years. Include the source of training, and the duration and year completed. List other training and personal development programs not already identified.
• Work experience: Please include name of organization, position, length of service and brief description of duties.
• Voluntary/unpaid work experience: List and describe any voluntary/unpaid post-secondary employment and/or community service experience. Please include the name of the organization, length of service, and a brief description of duties. List positions you have held in this service.
• Information technology training and experience: Briefly describe your level of training and experience in the use of information technology including computers, software and telecommunications networks as tools for business, education, teaching and personal use.
• Professional memberships/affiliations: List memberships and positions you hold/have held in professional associations, service clubs, community/volunteer sector.
• Other relevant information: Provide any other information which you believe is relevant to your application and will be of assistance to the review committee.

For information on how and where to send your supporting documents, please refer to the document submission guidelines.