Program Overview

Communication Studies Degree

The Communication Studies degree is a highly interactive program that explores how everyday forms of communication create meaning and shape our perspective of the world. This program is unique within Canada for its experience-based study of verbal, non-verbal, visual, and digital communication practices.

Overview

In this program, students will hone their written and oral communication skills while developing expertise in teamwork, research, visual and digital literacy, and critical analysis. The program offers two majors: Communication Arts and Design Practice and Communication Studies.

Majors

• Communication Arts and Design Practice: This major enhances and applies knowledge of effective communication with hands-on digital design projects. It is a great fit for students interested in careers in digital media design.
• Communication Studies: This major focuses on the art of speaking and communicating to audiences and in group settings. It is broader and has more courses related to general business than the Communication Arts and Design Practice major.

First-Year Courses

As an Arts student, you will choose your major at the end of first year. You are encouraged to explore a second major in first year to discover potential new interests. You will also take an Arts First course in either the fall or winter term of your first year.

Honours Arts

• September to December:
  • One course from COMMST 100 – Interpersonal Communication or COMMST 101 – Theories of Communication
  • ARTS 160 – Inquiry and Knowledge Creation
  • Prospective major #2
  • 2 electives
• January to April:
  • One course from COMMST 100 – Interpersonal Communication, COMMST 101 – Theories of Communication, or COMMST 223 – Public Speaking
  • Prospective major #2
  • 3 electives

Honours Arts and Business

• September to December:
  • ARBUS 101 – Introduction to Business in North America
  • ECON 101 – Introduction to Microeconomics
  • Elective
  • Prospective major #2
  • One course from COMMST 101 – Theories of Communication or COMMST 100 – Interpersonal Communication
• January to April:
  • ARBUS 102 – Accounting Information for Managers
  • ARBUS 202 – Professional and Business Ethics
  • ARTS 160 – Inquiry and Knowledge Creation
  • Prospective major #2
  • One course from COMMST 101 – Theories of Communication, COMMST 100 – Interpersonal Communication, or COMMST 223 – Public Speaking

After First Year

40% of the classes you will take will be in your major. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.

Sample Upper-Year Courses

• For Communication Studies:
  • COMMST 323 – Speech Writing
  • COMMST 325 – Organizational Communication
  • COMMST 420 – Persuasion
  • COMMST 430 – Communication and Social Justice
  • COMMST 431 – Crisis Communication
• For Communication Arts and Design Practice:
  • DAC 302 – Digital Storytelling Design
  • DAC 309 – User Experience Design
  • COMMST 339 – Media, Images, and Communication
  • THPERF 374 – Sustainability in Design
  • THPREF 379 – Mixed Reality Design

Customize Your Degree

You can add additional areas of expertise by including one or more of the minors available to all Waterloo students. Popular choices include Fine Arts Studio, Digital Arts Communication, Theatre and Performance, Human Resource Management, French, and Political Science.

Co-op Program

The co-op program provides insights into possible careers and paid work experience along the way. By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore different career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.

Sample Co-op Job Titles

• Marketing communications associate
• Media and publications associate
• Research analyst
• Business analyst
• Human resources co-op
• Media relations specialist
• Logistics assistant

Co-op Work-Study Sequence

Starting in second year, you will normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.

Admissions

Apply to Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business and choose Communication Studies or Communication Arts and Design Practice as your major at the end of first year. Ontario students require six Grade 12 U and/or M courses, including any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of at least 70%). The admission average is in the low 80s (co-op and regular).

Career Opportunities

With a degree in Communication Studies, you can pursue an exciting range of careers in marketing, public relations, advertising, teaching, the media, and human resources. Graduates work in a variety of settings, including interpersonal, organizational, and public, for businesses, non-profit organizations, universities, technology companies, and financial institutions.

Recent Graduates

• Marketing Coordinator — Deloitte
• Junior Integrated Marketing Communications Manager — Microsoft Canada
• English Teacher — EF Education First
• Strategic Planning Officer — Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)
• Enterprise Account Executive — Shopify Plus
• Customer Experience Specialist — Tesla Canada

Conclusion

The Communication Studies degree at the University of Waterloo offers a unique and interactive learning experience, preparing students for a wide range of careers in communication and related fields. With its emphasis on experiential learning, co-op opportunities, and customization options, this program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in today's fast-paced and ever-changing communication landscape.