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Royal Roads University

Colwood, Canada , British Columbia ,Canada

Master of Arts in Professional Communication

The MA in Professional Communication program consists of two years of study with an annual on-campus residency at the beginning of each year. Faculty who have expert, real-world experience provide a solid foundation of advanced professional and technical skills that underpin effective leadership in an increasingly communication-driven world.

The MA in Professional Communication program provides a broad understanding of communication as a human activity. You will thrive in environments that require effective team-work, written and verbal communications, adaptability, strategic planning, intercultural mediation, and a sophisticated understanding of interpersonal discourse. Additionally, you will compete in an exciting Live Case Challenge, presenting a communications plan and thoughtful analysis to organizational representatives.

Outcomes
Graduates of the MA in Professional Communication are professionals with a broad understanding of communication as a human activity. They are leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators in the workplace. They are able to function in environments that require effective team-work, adaptability, strategic planning, intercultural mediation, and a sophisticated understanding of interpersonal discourse. Finally, they excel in communication that requires the integration of superior written and spoken skills with digital technologies.

Graduates of the program will be familiar with government, social, and business organizations and will have an understanding of how information exchange is fundamental to their operation.

Graduates will have:

  • Knowledge of both the fundamental and advanced concepts related to human communication and interaction and an ability to communicate successfully (written and oral discourse).
  • The ability to use computer-mediated technology to manage the processes required for information retrieval and dispersal.
  • Knowledge of the mass media and the information society, including information technology, telecommunications, public policy, publishing, and the cultural industries.
  • Knowledge of government, social, and business organizations and an understanding of how information exchange is fundamental to the operation of these.
  • An understanding of the management of communication industries and of internal and external corporate communications (public relations, advertising, marketing).
  • An understanding of culture, international and intercultural communication, negotiation and conflict management. An ability to communicate effectively in diverse and difficult circumstances.

Campus Information

Hatley Park National Historic Site

located in Colwood, British Columbia

Intakes

  • May
  • Sep

Application Processing Time in Days: 25

Application Process

More Information Required
10 Days
Possible Interview Call From Institution
10 Days
Provisional/Unconditional Offer
5 Days
Visa Process
30 Days

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

If you are wondering what to do with your career, how to excel in an interview or you are looking for resume development advice, the Career Services office supports students with non-academic, career-related questions.

Contact us to schedule an appointment with a Career Services Advisor. 

Self-access Tools

  • CareerRoadsis RRU’s online employer database and job board.  All students are encouraged to develop their profile and begin searching future employers, volunteer opportunities and job postings. 
  • RRU Student Business Card Template (PDF) provides students with professional business cards that can be easily printed on a personal printer or professionally printed at any office supply store.
  • Personal Assets Inventory is a self-reflective workbook that explores personal skills, experiences and preferences.  The outcomes provide users with a starting point in their career planning and provide a platform to better understand personal skills and work place preferences.
  • The annual Career Development Conference is hosted every February, and welcomes students to learn from employers at the many panels, sessions and key note speaker sessions

PSW Opportunity

How long is a post-graduation work permit valid?

How long your PGWP is valid for depends on the length of your study program.

If your program was less than 8 months

You aren’t eligible for a PGWP.

If your program was more than 8 months but less than 2 years

We may give you a PGWP that’s valid for up to the same length as your study program.

For example, if you completed a 9-month program, we may give you a work permit for up to 9 months.

If your program was 2 years or more

We may give you a PGWP that’s valid for 3 years.

If you completed more than 1 program

You may be able to get a PGWP that combines the length of each program.

Each of the programs you completed must be

  • PGWP-eligible and
  • at least 8 months in length

Psw same as course duration For all courses above 8 months (Lets say course duration is 2 year psw is 2yrs so total 4 yrs of visa)

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

Master of Arts in Professional Communication

Standard Admission
Completion of a four-year (or comparable) undergraduate degree in a relevant field, from a recognized post-secondary institution.
Evidence of having sufficient knowledge, skills and abilities to complete a demanding academic course of study at a master's level
Normally, at least two years of work or volunteer experience, preferably in a leadership capacity.
Flexible Admission
Applicants who do not meet the Standard Admission requirements will be considered for Flexible Admission and assessed as follows:

Applicants without an undergraduate degree, but more than three years (90 credits) of relevant post-secondary education, should have at least three years of relevant work experience, preferably in a leadership capacity.
Applicants with 2-3 years (60-90 credits) of relevant post-secondary education should have at least five years of relevant work experience in a leadership capacity.
Applicants with less than two years of relevant post-secondary education should have at least ten years of high-level, professional communication experience in a leadership capacity.

English is the primary language of instruction and communication at Royal Roads University. As part of the application process, all applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in English speaking, listening, reading and writing by one of the following means:

Submission of official English language proficiency scores
Graduation from college or university at which English was the primary language of instruction in an English-speaking country
Completion of a pathway program through the Global Learning and Language Centre (GLLC) at Royal Roads
Additional information on these options is included below.

Option 1 - Submission of an official English language proficiency score report which meets one of the following minimum standards:
Official results should be sent directly from the testing organization & should be less than 2 years old. RRU may consider other language proficiency tests on a case-by-case basis.

COVID-19 RESPONSE (UPDATED APRIL 24, 2020)
Due to the recent temporary suspension of in-person testing conducted at various IELTS and TOEFL centres, Royal Roads University will accept the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and Duolingo English Test (DET) as evidence of language proficiency until further notice. We can also accept the IELTS Indicator test to assess your application; however, conditionally admitted students will be required to submit an official English Language test score (as listed below) to fulfill their condition before the start of their program. The IELTS Indicator test is available in most countries until test centres are able to resume in-person testing.

We strongly recommend that you submit an official IELTS, TOEFL or PTE-A test if you reside outside of any affected areas. We will be monitoring activities for IELTS, TOEFL and PTE-A centres and adjusting our requirements as necessary. For more information, visit RRU's COVID-19 page.

FOR ALL YEAR 3 (DEGREE COMPLETION) AND MOST* GRADUATE LEVEL ENTRY:
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic 6.5 overall with a minimum 6.5 in writing and speaking and 6.0 in listening and reading
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT 88 overall with a minimum 24 in writing and 20 in listening, reading and speaking
Pearson Test of English – Academic (PTE-A): 60 overall with a minimum 60 in writing and speaking and 58 minimum in listening and reading
Duolingo English Test (DET) Score of 115
*FOR THE MASTER OF ARTS IN PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION, DOCTOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE, AND DOCTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMS:
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic 7.0 overall with a minimum 6.5 in writing, speaking, listening and reading
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT 100 overall with a minimum 26 in writing and 23 in listening, reading and speaking
Pearson Test of English – Academic (PTE-A): 68 overall with a minimum 60 in writing, speaking, listening and reading