Overview

Royal Roads University's innovative MA in Professional Communication program delivers a solid theoretical foundation, as well as the advanced professional and technical skills needed to provide leadership in an increasingly communication-driven world. The MA in Professional Communication program is a two-year program offered through a combination of online courses and an annual three-week residency. The program is designed to meet the specific requirements of students who are presently working or plan to work in the rapidly expanding field of communication.

The on-campus residencies at the beginning of each study year allow students to become acquainted with the Royal Roads University culture; faculty and fellow students. Students
will also:

• begin the study of core elements of the program;
• attend interactive workshops in professional communication;
• listen to lectures and seminars by external experts in the field;
• develop team and leadership skills essential for future distance-delivered semesters;
• consolidate learning acquired during the program; and
• benefit from small-group mentoring and personal consultation.

Distance courses expand upon the practical introductions offered during the residencies, allowing participants to practice skills and expand their knowledge base. New and separate distance courses deliver much of the theoretical and information-based material in the program. This material will be applied to case-study exercises undertaken by teams of students within each course. During the second year, students are given the opportunity to specialize in some practical areas of professional communication or write a major research project.

The distance learning portions of the MA in Professional Communication program take place over the Internet. Prior to commencing each course, students are provided with a package of materials and readings. At their own convenience, students work through the requirements of the course (although there are ‘real time’ deadlines for assignments, exams, etc.).

We use a number of different delivery methods including textbooks, articles, case studies, videotapes, and interactive Internet learning using discussion groups (bulletin boards) for correspondence with classmates. Having already met their classmates during the first residency period, students continue to work in teams during the distance courses. This diverse and comprehensive approach to learning has proven extremely helpful to our students.