The Bachelor of Communications Studies is designed to develop a broad critical understanding of the cultural role of communication and to give students an opportunity to acquire professional skills that can lead to a variety of career paths.

The University of Calgary section of the program provides a broad understanding of intellectual history, cultural perspectives, rhetorical and media theory, and social aspects of media. The SAIT portion of the program complements this background with technical skills suited to students considering careers in journalism, broadcasting, new media, or in related areas such as corporate communications, public relations or administration.

At SAIT, you can take a variety of Communications Arts diplomas too. You can also transfer into the program with a related diploma from another institution. For more transfer information, click here.

Note: Students interested in a broader exposure to academic study or wishing to take a minor should consider the four-year BA in Communications Studies.

  

Admission Requirements:

Because Communications is a quota program, the GPA required for admission varies from year to year but a level of at least 72% for applicants from high school or 2.3 or higher for transfer students in often required. Note: Math 30 or Applied or Pure Math 30 or equivalent is required for admission to all Faculty of Communication and Culture major programs. If you have not taken Math 30 in high school, you should take a transferable upgrading course as soon as possible. Some upgrading courses at SAIT and MRC are not transferable.

Note: Admission to the University of Calgary portion of the degree does not guarantee admission to the SAIT diploma program. You must apply separately to SAIT for this portion of the program by at the latest February 28 of the previous year. Applications in January are appreciated.

  

Courses and Suggested Sequence

(if you are starting your program at the University of Calgary, click here for more)

Before April 1 of the year you intend to begin your program: Apply to the University of Calgary, Faculty of Communication and Culture. Indicate the Bachelor of Communications Studies as your intended major.

First Year

COMS 201: Intro to Communications Studies

GNST201: First Year Seminar

3 half-course equivalents in Social Sciences, Humanities, Science or Fine Arts (breadth option; two must be from the same faculty) 

2 half-course equivalents from the Intercultural Requirement (see below)

3 half-course equivalents Open Options

Before April 1 of your first year in the program: If you have not already done so, transfer to the BCS.

  

Second Year

General Studies 300: Heritage I

General Studies 313: Interdisciplinary Research Methodologies

COMS 369: Rhetorical Communication

COMS 371: Critical Media Studies

COMS 381: Communications History

1 half-course Communications option (400 level or above)

3 half course equivalents Open Options (or Breadth/Intercultural options if you have not already fulfilled these) 

February 28: Final deadline to apply to SAIT. Apply much earlier if possible

 

Third Year

General Studies 500: Heritage II

First year of SAIT diploma Program

 

Fourth Year

COMS 580: Advanced Communications Project

Second Year of SAIT diploma program

Overview of Requirements 

Core Courses:  GNST 300, 313, 500, COMS 201, 369, 371, 381, 580 and one COMS option at the 400 level or above

Intercultural Requirement: Two half-course equivalents of any non-English language, a recognized credit travel study program, or two half-course equivalents from a list of courses which familiarize students with various aspects of cultures outside the Western tradition. See the University of Calgary Calendar under Communication and Culture or click here  for a full list. You should normally try to meet this requirement in your first year, but may wish to use your Second Year Open Options toward this requirement.  

Breadth Requirement:  Three half-course equivalents from Science, Social Sciences, Humanities or Fine Arts.  At least two of these must be from the same faculty.

Placement at SAIT: Acceptance into the BCS degree at the University of Calgary does not automatically guarantee acceptance at SAIT.  You must apply directly to SAIT no later than February 28 of the year before you wish to begin as SAIT.  Applications in January are appreciated. 

Co-operative Education Option.  You may take the BCS as a Co-op program in which you will add three or more paid work terms of four months each to your program.  This will normally add an extra year to the program.  See http://www.ucalgary.ca/careerservices/coopinternship for more details.

Post-Diploma Option  You may transfer to the BCS if you meet all other requirements and hold one of the following diplomas (or equivalent):

• SAIT: Journalism; New Media and Design; Radio, Television and Broadcast News; Film and Video Production; Digital Graphics Communication
• NAIT: Radio and Television Arts
• Lethbridge College: Journalism/Broadcasting, Advertising/PR, Community Television, Multimedia
• Grant MacEwan Community College: Journalism, Audiovisual Communications, Digital Arts and Media

 

The diploma will be credited toward eight of the required twenty full course equivalents toward the BCS degree.  The remaining twelve full-course equivalents must include all University of Calgary requirements for the BCS.  If you want  to complete the post-diploma BCS in two years, you will have to complete two full-course equivalents in Spring or Summer sessions; otherwise you may need to take an additional year.

For additional information, please contact:

Undergraduate Programs Office
(403) 220-5881, upo@ucalgary.ca
(For all technical questions regarding requirements)

Dr. Maria Bakardjieva
Head, Communication Division
University of Calgary
(403) 220-7300, bakardji@ucalgary.ca  

Mr. Steve Olson
Intake Co-ordinator
Cinema, Television, Stage and Radio
SAIT
(403) 284-7230,  steve.olson@sait.ab.ca