Program Admission
Prerequisite(s): At least one English Composition course, with a grade of B+ or 75%.
Standard Admission
Prerequisite(s)
- Four year arts or science undergraduate degree
- To be considered for Flexible Admission, applicants normally require sufficient related work experience
- Prerequisite(s)
Additional Recommendations for Admission
Experience is considered an asset but is not a requirement for study in this program. However, preference will be given to applicants with work experience in the field of communication.
The specialization is primarily designed for learners who have significant experience working with diverse populations, or in multicultural settings, or abroad. Such experience has included the following: working in an embassy abroad; teaching English as a Second Language in other nations; volunteer or employed assistance to refugees, immigrants, or First Nations communities; military service abroad; providing human services in organizations that work with diverse staff or clientele, such as diversity managers in hospitals or corporations; covering international or multicultural issues as a journalist (e.g., editing an ethnic community newspaper).
While the majority of our learners are residents of British Columbia, we see an increasing number of learners from abroad or other portions of Canada. The learner cohort reflects a wide range in backgrounds and personal characteristics: many learners are multilingual; many have spent significant time (2 to 6 years) abroad; many are second- or first-generation immigrants. Some learners may be in their 20s; others in their 60s. They tend to bring different religious and cultural beliefs and practices to their program of study, and more so than in other topics of study, these often come to the forefront within this program.
Participation in such a diverse cohort therefore constitutes an integral aspect of the learning experience. The ability to succeed in teamwork in a highly diverse group of learners and a learner’s contribution to a positive intercultural climate are part of the program’s learning outcomes.
If applying through Flexible Assessment you should submit a full portfolio of your previous work, learning and accomplishments (e.g. written work, project management, consulting work, etc.) in the field of applied communication.
Application Requirements
Please follow the standard university requirements [link to Admissions] with the exception of the following program-specific requirements:
Personal Statement
Your personal statement should be at least a three-page letter indicating your motivation for seeking entrance to the program. Your statement should comment upon your personal and career goals, the expectations you have for the program in relation to the achievement of your goals, and the strengths you feel you can bring to the program. If you are seeking equivalency for some part of the required years of university/college study, please expand upon why you think your life and work experience and/or related formal education and courses merit adjudication under the Flexible Assessment process.
Letters of reference
Your application requires two letters of reference. Ideally, these letters speak to your academic potential, your professional expertise and your personal attributes.
The preferred letters of reference are academic references and professional references. Personal letters of reference are accepted but are considered less significant than academic or professional references.
Academic letters of reference should attest to your academic achievement, study skills, teamwork, leadership potential, human relations, flexibility, communication and technical skills.
Professional letters of reference assess your current or previous performance in your career. The letter can address areas such as communication skills, interpersonal and leadership skills, management potential, and work ethic.
Personal character letters of reference should indicate the length of time and context in which the writer has known you and address areas such as communication skills, interpersonal and leadership skills, management potential and work ethic.
Structured Resume
Your structured resume should include the following:
Education
List all post-secondary education, degrees, diplomas, and certificates you have achieved.
Work Experience
Training and Professional Development: List career related training and professional development programs completed with the past five years. Include the source of training, and the duration and year completed. List other training and personal development programs not already identified
Voluntary/Unpaid Work Experience
List and describe any voluntary/unpaid post-secondary employment and/or community service experience. Please include the name of the organization, length of service, and a brief description of duties. List positions you have held in these.
Information Technology Training and Experience
Briefly describe your level of training and experience in the use of information technology including computers, software and telecommunications networks as tools for business, education, teaching and personal use.
English Language skills
List English (and related) courses completed, which will also appear on your official transcript(s). Include any other experience of written or spoken English (e.g. published writing, prizes and awards, debating club membership, etc.) that may assist us in adjudicating your application for admission.
Professional Memberships/Affiliations: List memberships and positions you hold or have held in professional associations, service clubs, community and volunteer sector.
Portfolio (optional)
Your portfolio should include samples of completed work such as projects you have managed, reports, published writing, syllabus outlines of courses you have taught, etc. A portfolio is especially useful for those applicants who have career experience but lack the formal requirements for admission and wish to apply through our Flexible Admission process. Applicants who are admitted to the program will have their portfolio returned to them at the first residency. If not admitted, the applicant will be responsible for the cost of and return arrangements of their portfolio. Royal Roads University does not take responsibility for the loss or damage of any items.
