Diploma in Digital Communication

Image of graffiti

Boost your professional or academic career by mastering the communication tools of the digital age, while learning about the social media environment.

The Diploma in Digital Communication (DDC) helps students understand the best practices of social media, virtual worlds and emerging forms of online communication. Based on practical explorations of media theory, this program is ideal for students who want to pursue a career in digital communications. It's also geared towards students who want to augment their professional or academic pursuits with a powerful set of tools and competencies that include:

  • principles and production of social media, digital media and virtual worlds
  • online information and organization
  • creating and overseeing digital content
  • theoretical and practical application of virtual worlds and simulated spaces
  • producing and managing online communities
  • gaming, social networking, social movements, search engines, graphic design, digital imaging and website design
The Diploma in Digital Communication is a program of study that may be completed full-time in one year or part-time over a number of years.

Process

Admission Requirements

Students must have completed an undergraduate degree. The program does not require prior background in media studies or communications. Diploma students are, however, expected to have writing skills sufficiently strong to write essays at the university level. Admission is not guaranteed. If demand exceeds the capacity of the program, admission will be competitive. Course offerings vary by year and enrolment is not guaranteed.  

Access to a laptop may be required for specific courses offered as part of the Diploma program. Students should check with the Faculty of Information and Media Studies (FIMS) regarding minimum specifications and performance requirements at the time of application.

Program Requirements

To complete the Diploma in Digital Communication, students must achieve an overall average of 70% in these 5.0 courses:

0.5 course:

  • Digital Communication 2001A/B - Social Media

4.5 courses from:

  • Digital Communication 2002A/B - Virtual Worlds
  • Digital Communication 2200F/G - Social Networking: Theory and Practice
  • Digital Communication 2203A/B - Introduction to Web Design & Digital Imaging
  • Digital Communication 2204A/B - Introduction to Graphic Design
  • Digital Communication 2309A/B - Fundamentals of Digital Marketing
  • Digital Communication 2310A/B - Social Media, Virtual Gaming and Networked Life
  • Digital Communication 2311F/G - Writing Across Digital Media Platforms
  • Digital Communication 3203F/G - Search and Discovery
  • Digital Communication 3204F/G - Search Engines and Web Data Mining
  • Digital Communication 3205F/G - Net-Work: Labour and Profit in Web 2.0
  • Digital Communication 3206F/G - From Arcades to eSports: Video Game Culture, Technology, and Industry
  • Digital Communication 3207A/B - Design of Digital Cognitive Games
  • Digital Communication 3209F/G - Social Media & Organizations
  • Digital Communication 3210F/G - Virtual Worlds: Theory, Practice and Communications
  • Digital Communication 3304F/G - Special Topics in Digital Communication
  • Digital Communication 3307A/B - Special Topics in Digital Communication

NOTE:
Students should review antirequisites before making course selection decisions and planning the completion of their requirements.

How to Apply

Western Graduates
To apply, most students who have graduated from Western will complete an application form for the Diploma in Digital Communication (Special Student Status) available from the Faculty of Information & Media Studies (FIMS). Current Graduate Students interested in applying for the Diploma program should contact the FIMS for admissions and application procedures.

Students who have been awarded a first degree equivalent to at least a 15-course degree at Western with a minimum overall average of C (60% in the context of Western's grading system) are eligible to apply for admission to take courses for credit as Special Students.

Non-Western Graduates
Students who are graduates of another university must apply to Western as a Special Student by submitting a 105F application form to the Ontario Universities' Application Centre in Guelph. All students will be admitted to the Diploma in Digital Communication according to the policies and guidelines for admission to the University.

Once admitted to Western as a Special Student, students must apply to be accepted in the Diploma in Digital Communication program by submitting an application to the Faculty of Information and Media Studies.

Questions about the Certificate in Digital Communication should be directed to Undergraduate Student Services, via: fims@uwo.ca