Bachelor of Communication Studies - Professional Communication Major

at MacEwan University Canada

Consistent with the philosophy of Dr. J.W. Grant MacEwan, MacEwan University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program holds the values of respect, compassion, leadership, scholarship and accountability. The BScN program is designed to prepare graduates who are committed to excellence in professional practice and who contribute to the health and well-being of individuals, families, communities and society. Throughout the program students acquire knowledge, skills and attributes to ready themselves for safe, compassionate, evidence-informed, competent and ethical nursing practice.

MacEwan University’s BScN program is a rigorous, four-year program designed to introduce, expand and sequentially integrate knowledge, concepts and theories. Our approach to learning promotes the retention and application of in-depth knowledge and diverse skills. The program is delivered through contextual and experiential learning in classroom, laboratory and practice settings. Theoretical knowledge is attained from the disciplines of nursing, arts, sciences and humanities. Knowledge and competencies for nursing research, education and leadership roles are encompassed within the program. BScN graduates are eligible to write the NCLEX – RN.

Early childhood educators care for our youngest citizens and foster their growing sense of identity and well-being through play-based learning. They are essential.
As a Bachelor of Early Childhood Curriculum student, you learn about the unique curriculum needs for early childhood learning, with a focus on equity, social justice and advocacy. You work closely with children in early childcare settings at MacEwan and in the community. Through field placements and a fourth-year internship, you connect theory to professional practice.

The first two years of the degree meet the certification requirements for Child Development Supervisor (Level 3) Certification through Alberta Children’s Services. You have the option to exit the program with a diploma after you complete the first two years of course work.

Criminals are getting more sophisticated, the world is changing rapidly and technology is constantly evolving. All of this creates a strong demand for educated professionals in investigations and public/private security.

This two-year diploma program equips you with the knowledge and skills to investigate, analyze and act using a combination of intuition, expertise and communication skills. Field placements provide insight into professional security and investigative environments, and a crime lab allows you to practice the investigative techniques as you learn them.

The major in Journalism provides students with a strong set of writing, research, reporting, and digital media production skills. Option courses let students specialize based on their interests: online digital storytelling, television production, arts and culture reporting, feature writing, current affairs reporting, or investigative reporting.

Bachelor of Communication Studies
In our fast-paced world of evolving and conventional media, communication is key to interpersonal, organizational, and career success. The Bachelor of Communication Studies program provides students with a solid foundation in the fundamental skills of critical thinking, writing, editing, and research. Common coursework for professional communication and journalism majors builds a foundation in language, composition, visual communication, communication theory, communication law and research methods, supported by a liberal arts framework. The courses in the majors offer depth, specialization, and choice. The minors provide additional scope and depth to your studies. The program offers many opportunities to integrate what you have learned in the classroom with real-life projects that engage the community and provide students with an enhanced learning experience. The field is forward-looking, and so is this program of studies.

Years 1 and 2 include common coursework for both professional communication and journalism majors that builds a foundation in language, composition, visual communication, communication theory, communication law, and research methods. Years 3 and 4 provide specialization in editing, strategic communication, technical communication or film studies (in the professional communication major), or in news gathering, digital media production, or film studies (in the journalism major).

MacEwan University’s innovative and dynamic two-year 60-credit diploma in Arts and Cultural Management will prepare you for a career in arts management. Whether you are a practicing artist looking for the skill set to manage your own career or someone who loves supporting the creation and development of arts and culture in your community, this diploma will prepare you to take on administrative and management roles in the creative and cultural sectors. Building on the success of almost 40 years of arts management training at MacEwan University, you will leave the program with the skills you need to begin an exciting career in arts and cultural management.

Through the program, you develop close ties to the arts and cultural community, and emerge from your studies ready to assist organizations in the areas of fund/resource and audience development, publicity and media relations, human resource management, special event planning, project management, and much more.

After completing the academic portion of the program, you will practice what you have learned in an exciting two-month field placement with an organization of your choice. This practical experience comprises six credits in the credential and is a key factor for your successful transition into paid employment in the sector.

A variety of international educational opportunities are available to students throughout their course of study, including cultural study tours and international exchange opportunities.

If you have other post-secondary education and want to start working sooner, you may choose to exit the program with a certificate after one year of study.

Many children, youth and their families experience trauma, often through abuse, neglect, or a significant loss. They may also have stressors such as mental health, education, poverty, communication or family conflict. Child and youth care practitioners work relationally with individuals and families to help them gain new insights, supports and strategies to navigate the complexities of their lives and an ever-changing world.

The child and youth care program provides students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to work effectively with children, youth and families in a wide range of practice settings. Specialized child and youth care courses and courses in disciplines such as the humanities and social sciences prepare students to become well-rounded child and youth care professionals.

In years one and two, foundational courses with a personal-growth focus prepare students to form helping relationships with youth and families through effective communication and an understanding of adolescent and lifespan development, family dynamics and activity programming. Child and youth care methods, communication and counselling, and family support and intervention courses prepare students for entry-level positions in the field. Field placements provide the opportunity to apply coursework to practice settings. Students may choose the diploma exit option at the end of year two.

Years three and four prepare students for advanced practice in intensive programs with children, youth and families with multiple, complex challenges through courses on abuse and neglect, substance abuse, law and social services, and advanced methodology in individual, group and family practice. Research, statistics, advanced field placement and arts and science courses complete degree level education and prepare students for more complex positions and graduate programs in child and youth care.

The Public Relations diploma offers a unique opportunity for people with previous post-secondary education to ready themselves for an exciting new career in communications in less than a year.

Public relations is a vibrant, dynamic field in the business environment, simply because organizations are being challenged by their publics – clients, shareholders, communities, employees – to do a better job of communicating.

This program has an excellent, nationwide reputation in the business community. It focuses on training students to be functional, entry-level practitioners the minute they leave the program. While theory receives the necessary attention to develop the students’ understanding of the “big picture” and the potential for growth, the primary goal of the program is to give students the practical tools and skills to make an immediate, positive contribution.

Critical-thinking skills, problem-solving ability, creativity and the ability to rise to a challenge are all valuable assets in this fast-paced program. Group work is extensive and students must work effectively in a team setting. Students should have excellent language skills and be prepared to excel in writing.

Success in today’s business world depends on sound decisions based on timely, accurate and well-directed financial information. Successful accounting students have good analytical skills, are able to work in a team environment and are self-motivated. In addition, they need effective oral and written communication skills for success.

The Accounting and Strategic Measurement diploma provides a comprehensive overview of accounting procedures and principles. Students in the program learn about management, cost and financial accounting, finance, taxation, computer applications and management skills, providing them with intermediate level accounting knowledge.

To respond to society’s increasing concern for security, the demand for educated personnel in both the public and private sectors of protective services continues to grow at a phenomenal rate. To meet the emerging challenges and responsibilities of this growing profession, the two-year diploma emphasizes the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct investigations and develop and implement comprehensive security programs.

Evidence of the growth in this profession is often visible. However, there also exists a less visible side of private investigations and security that includes a diverse group of specialists who engage in investigative work for banks, retail outlets, corporations and government. As the roles continue to expand and become increasingly complex, individuals must be well-grounded in the law and investigative techniques and develop a broad understanding of the field.

The diploma consists of 61 credits and can be completed through full-time day or part-time evening studies. The full-time day program is completed over a two-year period, with one intake in the Fall term. Part-time evening studies can be completed over a three-year period or longer, with one intake in the Fall term.

Admission to the program is competitive and is subject to a quota. The competitive admission average may be considerably higher than the posted minimum.

The legal major of the Office Assistant program provides the skills you need to work as a legal assistant in today’s competitive market.

You train on a variety of software packages to prepare for a challenging career in the legal field. As a graduate of the program, you become adept with technology, understand procedures in a law office, have a basic knowledge of law, and are able to work in time-sensitive situations.

The program of study for the legal major consists solely of core courses; you do not take electives or options. The core courses must be completed in the order presented in the program of study; that is, term one courses are taken only in the first term, and so on.

The legal major provides core office skills and legal-specific courses for entry-level legal assistants that include legal transcription, basic legal theory and legal office procedures. The legal assistant in today’s competitive market must be adept with technology, understand procedures in a law office, have a basic knowledge of law and be able to work within time limits.