Learning Model

The MA in Professional Communication is a 38 credit, two-year program delivered through online courses and an annual three-week residency held on campus in Victoria, B.C. 

Students can expect to work hard during the residency period. The normal classroom schedule is Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Team meetings, homework, and readings are done outside of these hours. In addition to the educational activities, there will be a number of planned recreational events. 

Both residency periods are mandatory. However, you do not have to stay on campus, and off-campus housing is available through an off-campus housing registry. 

The distance learning portions of the MA in Professional Communication program take place over the Internet. During the distance study periods, students typically take one distance course at a time for a period of approximately ten weeks each. Prior to commencing each course, students are provided with a package of materials and readings. Each course will require a level of effort of approximately 22 hours per week. This may vary at times throughout the course and from student to student. During the first distance courses, the amount of time required may be higher, as students familiarize themselves with our distance learning technologies. At their own convenience, students will work through the requirements of the course (although there are ‘real time’ deadlines for assignments, exams, etc.). 

Students will take two or three elective courses, depending on whether they choose to end their program with a thesis or a research paper.  (Thesis option = 2 electives, research paper option = 3 electives)

The elective courses are as follows:
PCOM 631    Professional Writing and Publishing
PCOM 632    Conflict Analysis and Management
PCOM 633    Business and Communication: Public Relations, Crisis, and Reputation Management
PCOM 634    Consulting
PCOM 635    Communication for Social Change and Development

A number of different delivery methods are used including textbooks, articles, case studies, videotapes, and interactive Internet learning including discussion groups (bulletin boards) for correspondence with classmates. Having already met their classmates during the first residency period, students will continue to work in teams during the distance courses as well. This approach to learning has proven to be extremely helpful to our students.