Media Studies & Professional Communication, Diploma

Program Information
Credential: 
Diploma
Duration: 

2 years

Delivery: 
Main campus

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Dr. Jane MacNeil
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean
Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca

Department Information

For more information on the Media Studies and Professional Communication program, visit the department webpage.

Related Careers

A diploma in Media Studies and Professional Communication provides the skills and knowledge required to begin a career in the multi-faceted Communications field. Students can expect to be performing roles including, but not restricted to, the following:

  • Communication Specialist
  • Writer/Editor
  • Technical Writer
  • Digital and Social Media Specialist
  • Communications Marketing Generalist
  • Digital Marketing Assistant
  • Public Relations/Website Support Administrator
  • Community Relations Specialist
  • Public Affairs Assistant
  • Community Relations/Sponsorship Specialist
     
The Program

If you’re fascinated by the words and images that we see every day in traditional mass media and social media, and you’re looking for an opportunity to work in a fast-paced career that requires maturity and excellent writing skills, consider the Media Studies and Professional Communication diploma at RDC.
 
In this program, you’ll study how mass media such as television, advertising and even video games influence and are influenced by society, and you’ll also gain valuable knowledge to help you succeed in a variety of careers that require top-notch strategic communication skills. This combination of media studies and professional communication will allow you to adapt to the ever-changing job market by giving you strong critical thinking skills and the tools to create effective messages for your employer.

Completing this diploma program will open doors to employment in corporate, government, and not-for-profit organizations, as well as transfer to universities to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Communications Studies or another discipline.

Our program offers:

  • Small class sizes with dynamic learning activities
  • A blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills
  • An interdisciplinary approach that equips you to evolve in your career
  • Dedicated instructors who will help you succeed
  • A practicum placement that will give you experience in the communications field

Program Outcomes:

  • Demonstrate the oral and written skills necessary to communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively while adapting to different audiences and purposes.
  • Employ current qualitative and quantitative research methods in addressing both complex theoretical questions and concrete professional challenges.
  • Explain the history and application of communication theories related to topics such as mass media production, new media literacy, intercultural and interpersonal relations.
  • Identify historical and contemporary trends and implications of various forms of mass media and technology.
  • Apply critical media theory to oral, written and audiovisual communications in order to appraise sociocultural messaging, power dynamics, and bias.
     
Transfer Features

Students who have completed Red Deer College's Media Studies and Professional Communication two year diploma will be eligible for 60 credits towards Athabasca University's Bachelor of Professional Arts - Communication Studies.

Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

Minimum 50% in ELA 30-1 and 50% in one 30-level course from Group A or C.
OR
One year of full-time post-secondary study (minimum 24 credits) with a minimum GPA of 2.0

Note 1: Students admitted to the program based on successful completion of one year of full-time academic study at the post-secondary level, but without ELA 30-1 or equivalent, will need to complete English upgrading during their first year of admission. As a result, it may take longer than four terms of full-time study to complete the MSPC diploma.

Note 2: Students intending to transfer to a university program are advised to ensure they have met the entrance requirements for that program (e.g. ELA 30-1, Social Studies 30, etc.) before taking the university transfer courses that are part of the MSPC program. Students may choose to take the 30-level requirements while completing the requirements of the MSPC diploma program, though as a result, it may take longer than four terms of full-time study to complete the diploma.

Note 3: In addition to the program admission requirements, applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. Refer to the Admission section of the Academic Calendar for further information.

Other Requirements: 

Note: Government requires people who work directly with young children to have a current immunization record and a Police Information Check. While not an admission requirement for the program, some practicum agencies and field placements may require Police Information Checks of students working in their organizations. Information about obtaining Police Information Checks will be provided to students after they have been admitted to the program. Some programs may require medical examinations, as well.

Note: Students with Study Permits that are admitted to a program that has a practicum or clinical placement in childcare, primary/secondary school teaching or health service field occupations must complete their Medical Authorization as required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada one month prior to the start of classes.

Continuation Requirements: 

Successful completion of three terms of coursework or permission of Associate Dean prior to practicum placement.

Graduation Requirements: 

Students must pass all courses and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

Program Content

Year 1

  • COMM 271 Introduction to Communication Studies
  • COMM 383 Introduction to Public Relations
  • ENGL 219 Essay Composition and Critical Reading
  • MSPC 105 Interpersonal and Group Communication
  • MSPC 110 Visual Design Principles
  • MSPC 115 Basic Photography
  • COMM 371 Critical Media Studies
  • COMM 369 Classical Persuasion
  • COMM 313 Research Methods
  • COMM 363 Professional and Technical Communication
  • MSPC 120 Online Communication and Social Media

Year 2

  • COMM 381 History of Communication
  • COMM 375 Mass Communication in Canada
  • MSPC 205 Document Design and Editing
  • MSPC 210 Marketing and Branding
  • COMM 341 New Media, Technology, and Society
  • MSPC 215 Introduction to Project Management
  • MSPC 220 Issues in Communications Studies: Politics, Economics, Culture and Organizations
  • MSPC 225 Entrepreneurship and Professionalism
  • MSPC 230 Practicum Experience
  • MSPC Options (6 credits):
    - Any 3 credit college or university-transfer course
    - Any 3 credit college or university transfer course
Year 1 Course Descriptions

COMM 271

Overview of the development and key theoretical areas within the field of Communication Studies; with focus on how communication can serve as an agent of social and cultural change. Major topics to be studied include language; rhetoric; mass media; cultural studies; interpersonal and oral communication; and organizational communication. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or equivalent; or enrollment in MSPC program.

COMM 313

Introduction to academic and practical communication research methods. Critically examine and practice basic application of qualitative and quantitative methods. Examine how research methods relate to theoretical approaches of communication and knowledge production. Ethical implications of research methods will be considered.

COMM 363

Introduction to principles of practice of professional and technical communication; using various written media. Examine how organizational culture and audience expectations shape communication in workplace contexts and plan; prepare and deliver professional and technical information in support of an organization's communications goals.

COMM 369

Understand how the ideas of Aristotle and other theorists apply to your work and the media by learning effective persuasion; audience and situational analysis; rhetorical theory; and ethics. Discuss current events; apply classic techniques to improve written and oral arguments; and; critically evaluate texts like news articles; videos; and essays. Prerequisite: Comm 271

COMM 371

Analyze everyday media like advertising; television; film; videogames; and magazines. Use interpretative tools such as psychoanalysis; Marxism; gender and queer theory to learn how media change our lives; what makes a book or TV show a success; what forces affect the images surrounding us; and what makes Canadian media unique. Prerequisite: COMM 271

COMM 383

Introduction to the theory and practice of Public Relations; with focus on the Canadian context. Consider the history and development of public relations; various professional roles and occupations in public relations; and key theories. Prepare public relations tools such as press releases; backgrounders; press kits; PR plans and speeches. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or equivalent; or enrollment in MSPC program.

ENGL 219

The focus is on formal preparation for university level essay writing and the skills related to critical reading; interpretation; and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or English 095 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

MSPC 105

Theory and practice of communicating with other people in interpersonal and group situations; with an emphasis on professional settings. Topics include perception; listening; language; nonverbal communication; and group dynamics.

MSPC 110

Introduction to the basic principles of visual design; including elements such as balance; proportion; colour; and positioning of images and text. Evaluate visual designs for their impact on audiences and receive basic instruction in the construction of images and deisgns using industry standard software.

MSPC 115

Introduction to digital photography to support an organization's communications goals. Students will learn the basic composition elements of photographs and will practice selecting; producing and editing photographs for use in organizational communication; such as social media; websites; and print materials.

MSPC 120

Theoretical and practical introduction to online communication and social media in the context of organizational communication. Examine the features of current online and social media tools; as well as the integration of social media campaigns in organizations' communications plans.

Year 2 Course Descriptions

COMM 341

Study the implications of information technology for political; social and economic organization; individual psychology; and concepts of knowledge. Historical; ethical and legal implications will be discussed. Note: This course assumes only very basic familiarity with computers at the 'user' level. Familiarization with more advanced applications will be provided as required. Pre-requisite: ELA 30-1 or equivalent; or enrollment in MSPC program.

COMM 381

Overview of the development of major communication systems throughout history; together with the historical and social contexts in which they occurred and changed. Focus on technological advancements and theoretical understanding of how advancements have shaped and reflected society and individuals. Consider theoretical perspectives on the role of communication in history. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or equivalent; or enrollment in MSPC program.

COMM 375

Examine the role of mass media in Canadian society including television; newspapers; magazines; film; books; and new technologies. Focus on the historical development; policies; financial issues; and audience reception of media in Canada. Consider the role of mass media in a global context and in relation to the United States. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or equivalent; or enrollment in MSPC program.

MSPC 205

Theory and practice of the creation of effective documents in workplace settings. Examine the principles of effective document design and the techniques of editing written communication as well as the impact of document design on audience perception of messages and organizations.

MSPC 210

Introduction to basic marketing communications and branding principles. Examine the integration of marketing practices in organizations and the strategies used to develop; maintain and change an organization's brand identity.

MSPC 215

Overview of the process of project management. Topics will include the various factors involved in managing projects; including personnel; technology; and finances; as well as the communications strategies needed to support these projects. An introduction to event planning will also be included.

MSPC 220

An in-depth examination of the impact of politics; economics; culture; and organizational structure on communications messages including the preparation of a communication plan for an organization that integrates all of these issues.

MSPC 225

Overview of key strategies enabling students to find meaningful work in the field and creating entrepreneurial opportunities. Examine the importance of professionalism in organizational communication and practice presenting in person and in writing; for employment or securing other professional opportunities. Focus will be identifying opportunities and resources for contract work.

MSPC 230

Experience in assisting with an organization's communications activities; developing skills and knowledge that apply and expand on the concepts learned throughout the Media Studies and Professional Communication diploma program. Pre-requisite: Successful completion of minimum of three terms of course work in MSPC program or permission of Associate Dean.