Communication is always evolving, and Laurier’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies keeps pace with these changes. In our dynamic courses on media, culture, and theory, you'll discover how communication shapes and influences the organization of communities, institutions, and governance both locally and globally. You'll develop essential skills and insights that will open doors to exciting careers in public relations, politics, the non-profit sector, and industry.
If you're passionate about understanding how communication drives our world and want to be at the forefront of its future, this program is for you.
Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete and designed to open doors in your career. Here are a few things you can count on:
Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning in the real world throughout their degree (check out the Experience Guide for even more!):
Take our two foundational courses:
Explore your interest in eight additional first-year courses in topics including Political Science, Film Studies, Digital Humanities, Sociology, Global Studies, and much more.
Communication Studies examines the forms and practices of communication through six areas of emphasis. Choose up to two concentrations to focus on:
Add an option or a minor to your program of study. Popular choices include:
Check out other options to enhance your degree.
Enhance your degree with a Management Option or get a head-start on graduate studies by applying to the BA + Master of Business Administration with co-op. Apply directly to either on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre.
The BA+MA pathway allows to graduate in 5 years with a BA and Masters of Arts at Laurier. Apply for the BA+MA and receive an offer of admission to the Honours BA and a conditional offer to graduate studies, where you’ll earn a MA.
Note: Apply on OUAC by selecting 'Honours Arts' with the options/co-op as desired and then select Communication Studies as your subject of major interest
Students applying to this program from a Canadian province outside of Ontario are encouraged to review our course equivalents by province chart. This chart will show you what courses from your province are equivalent to the admission requirements listed under the Ontario High School Admission Requirements section.
Students applying to this program from an international curriculum must present the following:
Students applying to this program from an international curriculum are encouraged to review our curriculum-specific requirements. You will find which courses from your country's curriculum are equivalent to the admission requirements listed above. If your country or curriculum is not listed, please reach out to international@wlu.ca.
Laurier's language of instruction is English, and so we may require you to provide evidence of your English proficiency to help make sure you are successful in your academic courses.
Your three most recent years of full-time education must be in English without taking any ESL (English as a Second Language) courses. If you do not meet this requirement, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency.
We reserve the right to request an English-language test from any applicant.
If you do not meet Laurier's English proficiency requirement but are academically qualified for your program, you may be eligible for a conditional offer of admission.
The Academic Transition Pathway (ATP) program is offered through our affiliated institution, Wilfrid Laurier International College, and provides an option for meeting our English-proficiency requirement. If you have received an offer to Laurier with a condition to meet our English-proficiency requirement, you can meet that condition by successfully completing the ATP program.
Students applying to this program from another post-secondary institution are encouraged to review our transfer-specific requirements. This page will show you the admission requirements for your unique transfer situation and provide more details about transferring to Laurier.
College graduates applying to Laurier’s Communication Studies program may be eligible for admission with one of our block transfer agreements.
Note: Students who have completed or will be completing 2.5 or more attempted credits at other postsecondary institutions will not be considered for admission to the direct entry co-op program.
Learn more about our college pathway opportunities.
Visit our admission requirements section to find specific requirements for transfer students, indigenous applicants, mature learners, homeschooled applicants, senior citizens, refugees, and more.
It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.
Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?
Note: Additional training and education may be required.
Co-op is a way to integrate what you are learning in the classroom with practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, earn money, develop your network, and graduate future-ready.
Future Laurier Arts students have two options to engage in co-op. You can apply in first-year to our co-op program and complete three-work terms of four months’ duration and gain valuable experience during their studies.
You can also get a head-start and apply for direct admission to our brand-new co-op program straight from high school in select Arts programs. In both pathways, you will gain 12 months of career experience.
Interested? Learn more about co-op in the Faculty of Arts.
98%employment rate for co‑op students – 2023 / 2024
Getting a university education is an investment in your future.
At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.
Want to know what it’s really like to be in this program? U Community is our Discord server where future Golden Hawks like you can connect with current students to get their first-hand stories and tips on living and learning at Laurier.
Questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.
Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?
