Communication Program Offers Solid Foundation for Further Education

There is no need to be discouraged if you have not been accepted into the communications program of your choice. That’s because at Centennial College you’re able to attend a media education foundation, known as Communications and Media Foundations, which will serve as a pathway into more specialized options. Once students have completed this one-year media education foundation offering, they receive an automatic acceptance into the media or communications program of choice. These programs include: three-year Advertising, three-year Broadcasting and Film and three-year Journalism.

While the offerings for which they are being prepared in this communication program vary, all students benefit from tightening their skills of basic communications, media knowledge, terminology and English language development. More specifically, students learn about: creating and maintaining a forum in social media networks using rich media applications; applying theoretical principles to produce practical, focused written communications and media solutions; using appropriate vocabulary, terminology, basic numeracy and communicative strategies necessary in the communications and media environment; applying developed English language skills to a presentation portfolio; writing and presenting in basic narrative formats for a variety of media platforms; examining one’s roles and responsibilities as a global citizen in personal and professional life; examining beliefs, values and behaviours that form individual and community identities and the basis for respectful relationships; and applying knowledge of communications and media workplaces, environments and practices to develop one’s job search strategies and early career success strategies. In addition, students who attend the communication program also examine issues of communicating in their role as global citizens.

In the span of one year, students attend 13 media education foundation courses (seven in the first semester, six in the second semester).

Among specific communication program courses included in this offering are: Media Theory Workplace and Issues (introduces students to ideas and research that will help them understand the structure of Canada’s broadcasting industry and the issues and trends facing it); College Communications Skills (introduces the standards of college-level English. It enables the student to develop skills in grammar, sentence variety, paragraph development, vocabulary, and reading comprehension); Tools and Processes for Communicators (introduces students to the School of Communications environment, and teaches the use of many tools available to them in a systematic and intelligent way. They are made aware of the appropriate communications etiquette or code of conduct that is expected within the industry and beyond); as well as Introduction to Media, Success Skills, Developing Communications Portfolio Skills, and Exploring Digital Culture. Experienced faculty members, who provide one-on-one attention and can offer personal anecdotes to increase students’ time in the program, lead these courses.

Centennial College expects students applying for this media education foundation offering to have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature applicant status (19 years or older). In addition, it should be noted that students must complete the Centennial College English skills assessment before registering for this program. A minimum score of 130 or 131 is required to begin.