Communications

Professional Communication Essentials associate certificate

This three-course, nine-credit associate certificate is designed for students in programs or in workplace environments that require good communication skills. The program focuses on the communication essentials of business writing and public speaking. The writing includes direct, indirect, and persuasive messages, document/webpage design, and emails, memos, letters, and reports. Public speaking includes running meetings, giving oral presentations, and working in teams.

This associate certificate is given as a completion credential. Any student successfully completing the three courses is eligible for the associate certificate. Some students might complete the associate certificate while enrolled in their current programs, while others may be admitted to UFV for the purpose of taking the certificate.

Entrance requirements

New students should apply to Qualifying Studies. Students will be required to meet the admissions requirements for the university, as well as meet CMNS course prerequisites.

Students currently enrolled in post-secondary programs are required to meet only the course prerequisites. All Communications courses (except CMNS 115) require some proficiency with email, web-based research, and word-processing packages.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section. Other than the $25 graduation fee, there are no additional fees for the associate certificate. Students will be eligible for financial aid if they take all three courses in the summer.

Program outline

Note: CMNS 125 and CMNS 251 are offered online, as well as in classroom format.

Undergraduate continuance

Students enrolled in undergraduate courses (courses numbered 100 or higher) must maintain an undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.00 to remain enrolled in Good Academic Standing at UFV. Students in Good Academic Standing will have no registration limits placed on them. Failure to meet the minimum CGPA requirement will result in restrictions on registration and may eventually lead to academic suspension from undergraduate studies at UFV. Students on Academic Warning or Academic Probation are limited to registering in 10 credits. For further details, see the Academic standing and undergraduate continuance section of the academic calendar. Academic standing is governed by UFV's Undergraduate Continuance policy (92).

Residency

Students must complete at least two of the three courses required in the certificate at UFV.

Graduation requirements

Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.00 calculated on the three courses used for the program, with a minimum grade of C in any individual course, to be eligible for the associate certificate.

Students can apply and be eligible for the associate certificate retroactively to Fall 2005. All three courses must be completed within a 10 year time period.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.