Professional Communication

O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses including Grade 12 U English.
 
Notes:

1. ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English.
2. A grade of 70 percent or higher will be required in Grade 12 U English. 
   
3. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.

Ryerson’s BA in Professional Communication (ProCom) provides students with solid grounding in research, analysis and practice so that they can pursue careers as savvy improvisers and reflective communication practitioners. Students in the ProCom BA develop critical and analytical skills for understanding the role of communication on personal, interpersonal and global levels. Through instruction on theory, methods of inquiry and critical thinking, students are exposed to a variety of topics, including communication technologies, social identities, professional practices and intercultural communication. Additionally, to prepare students to communicate creatively and thoughtfully in the digital and global age, experiential learning is a fundamental aspect of the ProCom BA.

The School of Professional Communication has connections to local organizations and industries, and these connections are integrated into classroom learning. Combining those experiences with theories and applications related to language, image, sound and media, students graduate prepared to assume responsibility for communication in areas such as public relations, internal communications and digital media development.

In the first year students receive a foundation in communication theory and practice, which will act as an underpinning for the entire program. The second and third years focus on further integration of theory and practice in oral, written and digital modes. Students also learn how to apply their learning to areas such as governance, health care, new media, and profit and nonprofit organizations. The fourth year provides a capstone experience with students researching and conducting their own projects within organizations.

Courses cover a range of topics, with students having the flexibility to focus their studies in the following streams:

• Organizational/corporate/nonprofit charitable stream
• New media/technical communication stream
• Governance/public policy/international communication stream
• Science/health communication stream
   

Graduates of the BA in Professional Communication will be able to enter a number of professions such as public relations, corporate communications, governance, public policy, project management, research, event planning, and website creation and maintenance. A BA in Professional Communication can also lead to post-graduate degrees in fields such as law, education and professional communication.

Students must take three lower level liberal studies courses and three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

Revised 2017-2018.

Last offered 2017-2018 for students admitted Fall 2016.

REQUIRED:

PROFESSIONAL: One course from Table I.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: One course from Table II.

OPEN ELECTIVES: One course from Open Elective Table.

LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

Revised curriculum begins 2018-2019 for students admitted Fall 2017 and after.

REQUIRED:

PROFESSIONAL: Two courses from Table I.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: One course from Table II.

OPEN ELECTIVES: One course from Open Elective Table.

LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

REQUIRED:

PROFESSIONAL: Two courses from Table I.

OPEN ELECTIVES: Two courses from Open Elective Table.

LIBERAL STUDIES:
Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

REQUIRED:

PROFESSIONAL: Three courses from Table I.

OPEN ELECTIVES: Three courses from Open Elective Table.

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see  (PDF file) Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

Kelly Aizicowitz
Director
Communications & Partnerships

Linda Andross
President
APEX Public Relations

Sandra Cruickshanks
Partner
IL Consulting

Jeannette Hanna
Vice President
Trajectory
Founder of Ikonica Brands

Mary Jane Martin
MJ Martin and Company

Laurel Ostfield
Director of Communications
Capital One

Brian Zeiler-Kligman
Director, Sustainability
Canada’s National Brewers