​​Program Description

Conestoga's Bachelor of Communications Management (Honours) degree is the first of its kind in Canada, blending the best of a Business degree with the best of a Communications degree. It is built on the solid foundation of its predecessor program, the Bachelor of Public Relations. This robust business degree, housed in Conestoga’s School of Interdisciplinary Studies, meets strong marketplace demand for professional communicators with business acumen. Communications management is the systematic planning, implementation and oversight of communications channels and efforts in support of the reputation and relationships between an organization and its stakeholders. Communication specialists work in social media management, employee communications, media relations, investor relations, marketing communications, digital marketing, fundraising and other specialized communications functions. This profession demands strong written, verbal and digital communications skills, strategic thinking and the ability to understand and respond to the complex issues facing an organization. In this program, you will complete two paid four-month co-op terms to apply your academic learning to the workplace. You will also engage in numerous experiential courses and assignments throughout your degree including planning a fundraising event, participating in a real-client student agency and completing an applied capstone project for a real client. You will be encouraged to join one of several professional organizations during the degree program and engage in community volunteerism and program-supported corporate social responsibility initiatives to build your portfolio and enrich your learning.

Program Learning Outcomes​

Successful completion of this program will enable the graduate to:

1. Develop professional communication strategies aligned with organizational objectives through research and stakeholder analysis to achieve measurable communication outcomes
2. Select effective tactics, tools and resources to execute strategic communications
3. Write and edit clear, creative content tailored to diverse communication contexts to reflect standards of professional writing
4. Present impactful messages through visual design and digital technologies to engage targeted stakeholders
5. Examine historical evolution, theories, current trends, emerging issues and global best practices in communications to maintain professional currency
6. Integrate professional business acumen and business management skills such as finance, project management, entrepreneurship and analytical reasoning to ensure the strategic delivery of communication strategies within organizational objectives
7. Consider relevant professional codes of conduct, ethical standards, and regulatory frameworks to protect and enhance an organization's reputation and relationships
8. Conduct academic and applied research to provide evidence required to guide strategic decision making and measure outcomes
9. Determine the role diversity plays in how people communicate and work in various settings to ensure that organizations demonstrate inclusiveness toward diverse stakeholders
10. Develop the interpersonal attributes and skills required of a professional communicator, including relationship-building, problem-solving and creative thinking
11. Integrate principles of reputation management to address public relations issues and crises, and to enhance corporate social responsibility
    

​​Program Expectations

Business meets creativity in this dynamic four-year degree. Graduates of this program will represent their organizations as strategists, writers and spokespeople. They must demonstrate excellent judgment, produce quality communication materials and make decisions based upon sound business acumen.

Years 1-2: Mastering the PR foundations

Students spend the first two years mastering the essentials: PR writing, planning, digital media, research, presentation skills and numerous electives designed with breadth and depth in mind.

Highlights in years 1 and 2 include:

• Professional writing courses with an emphasis on writing for the media and social media
• Development of a PR campaign for a real client
• Planning and execution of a fundraising project for a local not-for-profit organization
• Hands-on experience with social media management, digital analytics and graphic design

Years 3-4: Advancing to a PR career

Upon successful completion of year 2, students enter the upper years of the program. During years 3 and 4, students are expected to engage deeply in their course material, think strategically, and participate in research and innovation.

Highlights in years 3 and 4 include:

• Two co-op work terms (with an optional third co-op)
• A PR agency experience where students work as consultants to real clients
• Higher-level courses in strategy, research, project management and business
• Specialized courses in areas such as law, international PR, corporate social responsibility and crisis management

The program culminates with an integrated capstone project, where faculty and external clients give graduates their stamp of approval before they enter the field.

Graduates of this program have been accepted to and completed the following graduate programs:

Master of Arts, Communication & New Media, McMaster University

Master of Public Relations, Mount Saint Vincent University

BPR has two approved pathways: one from Conestoga's PR Diploma and one from Conestoga's Advertising and Marketing Communications Diploma. Students receive advanced standing to year two of BPR and complete both the degree and diploma in five years. We are looking for strong graduates, with a GPA of 3.0 (overall weighted average of 75%), who are interested in taking their studies to the next level. Issues related to academic integrity and code of conduct will be considered. Prospective students may be interviewed by Program Coordinators as part of the application process. 

Co-operative Education Information

The academic requirements to be eligible for a co-op work term in a degree program are as follows:

• Minimum 65% session weighted average in the eligibility term two academic semesters prior to any co-op work term.
• Maximum two failures or withdrawals during the academic semester that occurs in the eligibility term two academic semesters prior to any co-op work term.
• Must have successfully completed all but two core courses, according to the program design, by the eligibility term prior to any given work term (regardless of the level the student was placed in advanced standing).
• Students (even those on special timetables) will not be permitted to complete a co-op work term until conditions above are met and all but two core course deficiencies, according to the program design, are cleared.
• Co-op work terms may need to be re-sequenced to allow academic deficiencies to be cleared or in the event a student changes cohorts (i.e. graduation is delayed by one year or more). Students may not repeat a passed work term.
• Should a student's academic performance decline considerably (including cumulative missed courses) during the term just prior to any work term, the college reserves the right to withdraw the student from the upcoming work term.
• In the case of back to back work terms eligibility to participate in consecutive work terms will be granted upon approval to participate in the initial work term.
• Where two or more work terms occur back to back, should a student fail to achieve academic eligibility for the first work term, their eligibility for the second work term will be based on the term that occurs two terms prior to the second work term.

• Students in degree programs may only fail/defer each work term in their program design once. 
  

To participate in a co-op work term, students must:

• Successfully complete the Co-op and Career Preparation modules (CEPR/CDEV71050).  Students who fail Co-op and Career Preparation will not be permitted to search for co-op employment nor will they be able to participate in a co-op work term.  Students who fail Co-op and Career Preparation more than twice will not be permitted to continue in their co-op program (exceptions may be granted for degrees).
• Be enrolled full-time (full-time = 70% of the hours, or 66 2/3 % of the courses in the current session/level of the Program Design.)  Exceptions will apply to those students who have been granted special timetabling based on formal identification of barriers or challenges for which accommodation is required. Academic eligibility requirements must still be met prior to being granted access to seek a co-op work term.
• Must have successfully completed all but two core courses, according to the program design, by the eligibility term prior to any given work term (regardless of the level the student was placed in advanced standing).
• Students (even those on special timetables) will not be permitted to complete a co-op work term until conditions above are met and all but two core course deficiencies, according to the program design, are cleared.
• Co-op work terms may need to be re-sequenced to allow academic deficiencies to be cleared or in the event a student changes cohorts (i.e. graduation is delayed by one year or more). Students may not repeat a passed work term.
• Should a student's academic performance decline considerably (including cumulative missed courses) during the term just prior to any work term, the college reserves the right to withdraw the student from the upcoming work term.
• Meet program specific co-op work term eligibility requirements.

For additional information please refer to the Co-operative Education Regulations & Guidelines: Student Regulations, Procedures and Supports found by:

• Login to MyCareer
• Select Co-op
• Select Co-op Resources
• Select Co-op Policies
• Select Co-operative Education Regulations, Procedures and Supports for Students

Please Note:

• Co-op programs add value to your education. Earn money while you apply what you've learned in a real workplace environment.  Visit Co-operative Education for more information. 
• The College cannot guarantee co-op employment.  All co-op students are required to conduct an independent co-op job search in addition to the supports and services provided by the Department of Co-op Education.
• Students are responsible for their own transportation and associated costs in order to complete work term requirements. Work locations may not always be readily accessible by public transportation.
  
• In order to participate in a WIL experience/Co-op work term, students must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
  
• Students who are not eligible for co-op or​ do not secure the first work term by the start of the work term semester will be offered the option to enrol in the 15 credit Career Management in Canada GCM70000 co-op alternative.  This co-op alternative involves guided activities involving approximately 2 hours of coaching and advertising time per week and additional project work.
• If GCM70000 is selected, students cannot transfer back into the co-op stream and cannot complete a co-op term for their first work term.
• GCM70000 is delivered online with virtual group coaching/advising session of 2 hours per week.
• GCM70000 is only an alternative for the first co-op work term of the program, students will still complete at least one mandatory co-op work term if they choose GCM70000.
  

Reasons for Absence 

Illness

If a student is suffering from any condition that would impair their ability to perform their academic work or the nature of the health issue would also place other students/employees at risk, it is generally recommended that the student take a day or several days off until the illness is resolved.

Compassionate Leave 

Request for leaves of absence to attend to family illness, death or family problems are usually granted. These requests will be submitted to faculty who will consult with the Program Coordinator/Chair if necessary. 

Jury Duty 

Any student who receives a summons for jury duty must submit the document to their respective faculty as soon as possible. The faculty will consult with the Chair to determine what arrangements can be made to have the student excused from submission of assignments, if such duty interferes with the progress in the program. Students may also be required to engage in activities in the evening or weekends using eConestoga. 

Religious Holidays

Students are permitted by Conestoga policy to be absent from class to observe a recognized religious holiday. The student must seek accommodation for religious observances in writing within the first three weeks of the semester and prior to the date of assessment that falls on the religious holiday. Exceptions based on extenuating circumstances must be approved by the Chair.

Other Absence(s) 

Student absence(s) must be supported by formal, original documentation.​

Late Assignments 

Students are expected to submit assignments by the deadlines indicated on the Instructional Plan (unless an extension has been approved). For assignments submitted after the deadline, marks will be deducted by 10% each day to a maximum of 30% or three days. After three days, assignments will not be marked. Note that this policy does not apply to performance-based assessments such as a scheduled in-class presentation. 

​Academic Standing Decision and Promotion

A student's academic achievement is based on the promotion guidelines established by the program. An academic standing decision is assigned by the Program Coordinator to the student record. The students record will indicate:

1. Eligible to Continue
2. Special Timetable - Same Level
3. Academic Probation
   
4. Decision Pending
   
5. Discontinuation 
   
6. Graduate
   

7. Required to Withdraw
   

These decisions are made at the end of each academic semester, until the program is completed. The Program Coordinator and/or Student Success Advisors are available to discuss academic standing, progress planning, and eligibility to graduate. 

It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all program requirements for the credential completion are fulfilled. A student must pass every course in the program design in order to receive their credential, including program options,  field placements, coops and electives, where applicable. 

When a student fails or drops any course in the program, this action may:

• impede the students ability to continue on in the program
  
• increase the number of semesters required to complete and graduate from the program 
  
• limit the students ability to take higher level courses where the student is missing the pre-requisite course requirements

Core courses are designed to be completed in a specific order and not all courses are offered every semester. Please consult the progress report on the student portal for course requirements.

A student who has previously withdrawn from the program (de-registered), upon re-application to the program will be placed in the appropriate level for the current program design. This can result in additional courses required for completion in the current program design. Students who complete the last semester of their program as a part-time student outside of the program must complete and submit an application to graduate to notify the college of program completion.

Clearance of Failed Courses

A student can work towards correcting failed course(s) by retaking those courses as soon as possible. Students may be able to sign up and take one or more failed courses at an additional fee. Please consult with the Program Coordinator and/or a Student Success Advisor for an academic plan to clear failed courses. 

Notes: 
A failed Gen Ed elective may be cleared by passing another Gen Ed elective. 
A failed Program Option (in years 3 and 4) may be cleared by passing another Program Option.
A failed non Gen Ed course that is no longer part of the program design can be cleared by passing another pre-approved business-related course. 

Consequences of being discontinued:

• The student will be discontinued from the program immediately and all full-time course enrolment will cease.
  
• The student is permitted to take a maximum of three courses per term on a part-time basis. These courses can only be failed courses, dropped courses or Gen Ed electives.
  
• The student can re-apply to the program only after clearing all the failed/dropped courses. The student will be required to pay an application fee and will be moved to the current program design.
  
• The academic record for the student will indicate that the student has been discontinued from the program
  
• A student who has been discontinued twice will not be able to return to the program.
  

Re-admission to a Program

A student who has been discontinued for academic reasons from the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, will only be considered for re-admission into their program if:

• The student has cleared all but two of the outstanding failures, or
• The student has sat out for one academic year
  
• Once the student has met a minimum of one of the above criteria, then the student must re-apply to the program. If the student is re-applying to year one, level one, they must apply through Ontario Colleges. If the student is re-applying to level 2 or beyond, they must submit a completed Conestoga College  program application form to the registrar's office and pay the application fee.  Re-admission to a program is not automatic. In all cases, re-admission to programs in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies will be at the discretion of the School. 
  

​Created Spring 2023