Diploma in Applied Communications (optional Co-Op)

Introduction

Applied Communications equips students with the practical communication skills they need to succeed in the business world.  Through a range of business-related topics such as customer and public relations as well as corporate and interpersonal communications, we teach relevant and applicable skills in a business focused environment.

In today’s interconnected world, effective communication has become one of the most necessary and desirable skills in successful businesses and we aim to build our students’ confidence and competence in this area. To this end, students will look at company communication structures like top-down, bottom-up and horizontal communication models as well as the different modes and platforms commonly used to communicate including reports, websites, presentations, social media, web conferencing etc.

Our students will gain the communicative proficiency required to be successful while also developing their business knowledge and leadership skills, setting them up to communicate effectively in business, education and in life.

This course will also equip them with the skills they need to succeed should they choose to continue their professional development and study at one of our pathway schools.

• Marketing Essentials
• Applied Leadership in the Workplace
• Practical Sales Techniques
• Practical Business Calculations
• Principles of Managing Customer Relationships
• Introduction to Canadian Business Management

Term 1: 6 Months

Communications 100 (8 weeks)

This course is designed as a foundation for students who want to improve their communication skills in a professional or academic setting. Students will work on clear interpersonal communication and will be equipped with effective strategies and language to communicate thoughts and ideas clearly and avoid misunderstanding.

Communications 200 (8 weeks)

This course builds on Communications 100 and further develops the interpersonal communication skills, with emphasis on communicating more complex ideas with clarity. Students will learn how to clearly structure and present ideas to avoid miscommunication and how to critically think about their own work and ideas as well as the work of others.

Communications 300 (8 weeks)

This course focuses on intercultural communication. Already equipped with high-level communication skills, students will focus on strategies for understanding more complex ideas and analyzing them with a critical eye. Through debates and discussions students will learn how to objectively and persuasively deliver ideas to be successful in an academic or professional environment.

Term 2: 6 Months

Once the suit of Communication courses is complete, during the second half of their studies, students must take a further three compulsory courses and three courses of their choosing.

The compulsory courses are:

• Applied Leadership in the Workplace
• Business Communication Essentials
• Business Presentations and Practices

Students have the choice of choosing three of the following courses to complete their diploma:

• Communication for Customer Satisfaction and Excellence
• Introduction to Canadian Business Management
• Practical Business Calculations
• Marketing Essentials
• Practical Sales Techniques
• Principles of Managing Customer Relationships

It is important to note that it is possible that scheduling conflicts may occur and students may not get all their choices of non-compulsory classes. To avoid this, please consult a VGC advisor at the start of the program.

Co-op Work Experience (optional): 1 Year

The paid Co-Op Work Experience portion is an important part of the practical side of this program. This is where the student applies the theoretical lessons learned in the academic class to the real world. It is designed to give the student experience in a Canadian work setting that supports the learning objectives of their class.

Over the course of the academic program, Co-Op students will take a four-week Job Search course. This course will run in the afternoon and prepare them for the Co-Op section. It will help students with researching employment opportunities, understanding their own strengths and weaknesses and building a professional image.

Throughout the academic and Co-Op portions of this program you will receive the support from our Co-Op Coordinator who will work with you to help find a suitable work opportunity and assist you to successfully complete the Co-Op portion of the business diploma program. Each student must complete a two-week Capstone project to achieve a Diploma. The Capstone comes at the end of their Co-op.