Program Overview

Advertising and Promotion Program Overview

In today’s ever-changing digital world, advertisers are in a constant battle for consumer attention. If you’re passionate about creativity and committed to crafting memorable campaigns, this program is for you. As a student of our Collaboragency, you’ll work directly with real clients, producing effective plans and program ideas. Using the latest industry tools and tech, you’ll master the art of creating memorable and effective advertising across a variety of media platforms. Stay ahead of the curve, make powerful connections, and disrupt the ad world with the innovative skills you’ll gain here!

Intakes and Availability

• September 2025: Open for domestic and international applicants

Program Highlights

• DC Experience
• Success Stories
• Resources

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
• Grade 12 English (C or U)
• Recommended: Excellent written and oral communication skills, and enjoyment of working in teams through collaborative, project-based work

Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.

• Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math
• DC also offers Academic Upgrading, with free courses designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program

Tuition

• Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
• Year one international: $15,309 (CAD)

Semester 1 Courses

• Communication Foundations (COMM 1100)
• Introduction to Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications (COMS 1107)
• Copywriting for Advertising (COMS 1108)
• Administrative Applications for Advertising (COMS 1109)
• Advertising Design Theory (DESG 1102)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• Photography, Image and Video Editing (PHOT 1100)

Career Options

• Account executive
• Production artist/junior art director
• Marketing co-ordinator
• Social media manager
• Production studio co-ordinator
• Strategic planner (junior)
• Media planner/buyer (junior)
• Media sales representative

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

• Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions
• Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:
  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – Communication and Digital Media Studies – Ontario Tech University (Ontario Tech)
  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) bridge - Communication and Digital Media Studies - Ontario Tech
  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – Educational Studies and Digital Technology - Ontario Tech
  • Bachelor of Public Relations and Communication - Griffith University
  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Event Management (Taught Route) - Robert Gordon University
  • Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication – Royal Roads University
  • Bachelor of Professional Arts – Communication Studies - Athabasca University
  • Bachelor of Professional Arts – Human Services - Athabasca University
  • Bachelor of Professional Arts - Governance, Law and Management - Athabasca University
  • Bachelor of Professional Arts – Criminal Justice - Athabasca University

Tech Requirements

• A Mac laptop is recommended
• Software requirements include:
  • Operating System (bundled with new notebook computer purchase)
  • Membership in Adobe Creative Cloud
  • Microsoft Office (available for free from Microsoft for DC students through your DC Mail account)
• Other recommended hardware includes:
  • Cat 5e or Cat 6 Ethernet cable
  • USB flash drive
  • External hard disk USB-3 or USB-C 1 TB or larger
  • Wacom Intuos 3 6×8-inch digital graphics tablet (optional)

Meet Your Faculty Experts

• Shannon Cone
• Kimron Corion
• Jessica Fraioli
• Melissa Giorgio
• Kory Gray
• Matisse Hamel-Nelis
• Omkar Kulkarni
• Michelle Lavender
• Jennifer Reid
• Dawn-Marie Salter

Field Placement

• Field placement provides the opportunity to practice the knowledge and skills acquired in the program
• You have the opportunity to choose roles/functions that match your skills, and to perform as a team member in the industry
• Placements begin at the end of the winter semester
• You must complete a minimum of six weeks in a communications capacity in order to graduate

Experiential Learning

• Collaboragency is a fully integrated onsite communications agency at Durham College
• The collaborators are a multi-disciplinary team of students from the Advertising, Graphic Design, Photography, Video Production programs and more
• Together, students tackle projects for real clients looking to improve their businesses
• From web, social media and marketing content creation to strategic planning, Collaboragency creates unique business solutions for our local entrepreneurs
• Through the production of both strategic and creative materials, students can leverage work in portfolios when applying for desired occupations
• This work also allows students to forge lasting connections with clients, who one day may be responsible for launching careers.