Program Overview

Introduction to the Rhetoric, Media, and Professional Communication Program

The Rhetoric, Media, and Professional Communication (RMPC) program is a versatile and flexible degree that allows students to study and create a broad range of texts for the workplace, on the web, and in the media. In addition to providing a solid grounding in literature and criticism, the program offers students the opportunity to explore various core fields, each of which reinforces the others.

Degree Options

Students can pursue their RMPC major via a four-year honours degree, a four-year general degree, or a three-year general degree. The program page provides more information on the degrees and their requirements.

Elements of the Degree

The RMPC degree consists of several core fields, including:

• Rhetoric: examines how people's ideas, feelings, and actions are influenced by texts or images
• Media: explores all aspects of digital communication, including the cultural, social, and political significance of digital media
• Professional Communication: examines how to communicate effectively in a variety of professional and workplace contexts, using a range of media

Rhetoric

Rhetoric gives students the tools to influence others and to better understand how others are influencing them. This field of study includes the examination of speeches, articles, websites, and advertisements, and how they try to catch attention and persuade individuals to think or act in particular ways.

Media

The media element of the RMPC program allows students to develop skills that will enable them to write for social media and design websites and online documents. This field of study also explores the cultural, social, and political significance of digital media.

Professional Communication

Professional communication is a crucial aspect of the RMPC program, as it examines how to communicate effectively in a variety of professional and workplace contexts. This field of study includes the following areas:

• Business writing
• Grant writing
• Technical communication
• Journalism
• Creative writing
• Science writing
• Public relations

Co-op

The RMPC program offers students the opportunity to enrich their degree through co-op experiences. The University of Waterloo has the world's largest co-op program, which provides students with the chance to pursue their interests and develop their skills in study terms, and gain employment experience in co-op terms.

Career Opportunities

At the conclusion of their degree, RMPC graduates will be prepared for graduate studies in several fields, including literature, language, communications, and composition studies. They will also be well-equipped for a career in business, industry, government, teaching, or communications, as the program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in any field that values analytical, critical, and creative thinking, writing, and speaking.