Overview
There are few careers as exciting, creative, and uniquely challenging as Advertising. We train students to deeply understand the consumer psyche and develop marketing communications messages that reach and influence target consumers. Are you a “people person”? Do you love digital media and all things online? Are you a strong communicator who likes ideas, persuasion and the creative side of business? Advertising may be for you. Read on…
This program includes amazing experiential learning opportunities and small class sizes that prepare students for an exciting career in advertising and marketing communications, where there are labour shortages in major markets. This means a wealth of job opportunities!
Our Learning Extends Past the Classroom:
- FUSE Mentorship Program
- Student-run AD agency
- Community client work
- Case competitions
- Career matching
- Greg awards
- Degree completion
- International Exchange options
- Disney internship
Your skills will be developed in an Apple-based communications center with access to the latest industry software including MAC OS applications, Final Cut Pro digital video editing software, Microsoft Office for Mac, and the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of applications.
St. Lawrence College is a member of the AACSB Business Education Alliance. Membership in AACSB, and participation in the Business Education Alliance, does not imply Accreditation.
Program Details
Program Highlights
You will be exposed to and practice the complete realm of advertising communications: creative planning and media buying, direct response and digital advertising, and content development including blogging and video production. You will prepare advertising campaigns for real clients that embrace all elements of communications. You will learn how to evaluate and recommend various marketing communications solutions to resolve business problems.
We offer a two-year program and a three-year option with the first two years being common to all Advertising students. Students in either stream can choose to graduate with a two-year diploma or continue with the third year to explore more deeply the full breadth and scope of integrated marketing communications; a field with strong job prospects across all industries.
Would you like to:
Email a grad of our program or a current student? Sit in on a class? Simply email KPatterson@sl.on.ca with your request. We are here to answer any of your questions.
Program Outline
2024-2025
COMM 34 provides instruction and practice in college and workplace communication skills with an emphasis on the development of strategies to organize and express ideas in a clear and professional manner suitable to a variety of audiences. Course work also provides opportunities for the development of writing, grammar, research, citation, analytical, reading, and listening skills.
This is the first, in a series of courses, which will provide you with the computer skills to be effective in marketing communications. You will learn the Mac OS and some of the Apple apps that help you create video, audio and other functions that help produce content. You will create persuasive presentations using MS PowerPoint, build budget sheets with MS Excel and fine tune your report writing using MS word. You will be introduced to Vector drawings through Adobe Photoshop. (Next term you will learn about bitmap images through Adobe Photoshop.) You will create your own blog through WordPress, thereby giving you a professional presence on the web. As a basis for all your communications with your faculty and fellow students, and with future employers, you will use a PIM (Personal Information Manager) to manage your contacts,send and receive email, and organize and manage your time (keeping track of test dates, assignment deadlines etc.)
This course examines the role, influence and importance of media today and the ways in which the various media can shape the thinking of the various segments of societies. Students will examine how each type of media and the elements in marketing communications blend together to produce the cultures in which we live. Assignments will require that students use critical-thinking skills to analyse and interpret the many messages of the information age.
In this course, students learn the fundamentals of marketing communications and the various components of the marketing communications mix. Learners examine the relationships between various forms of communications and how organizations might use them individually and collectively to resolve business challenges. Finally, students discuss integrated marketing communications solutions and the need for coordinated planning.
This course is designed to improve your communication skills in the field of marketing communications. You will learn how to read and write creatively. Reading and writing creatively will help prepare you to write advertising copy, news releases, reports, as well as scripts for broadcast or video productions. You will learn how to research topics through traditional means by searching the Internet. To succeed in this course you will need an open mind, positive attitude, willingness to change, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Prerequisite: COMM34
Consumer behaviour is a discipline that looks at why people and organizations buy goods and services, when and where they buy them, how they use them, the frequency with which they purchase them and the decision-making processes they follow. This component of the field of marketing derives its theory and application from disciplines such as communications, psychology, sociology, cultural anthropology, and economics to describe and understand how customers, both individuals and organizations, are likely to behave.
Upon completion of this course you will be better prepared to predict customer actions, determine the needs of target markets, and understand how not only consumers but also businesses, governments, and not-for-profits make choices in the market place. In addition, this course will cover both domestic and international markets and includes significant discussion of on-line customer behaviour and the impact of the Internet on market behaviour.
In this course, students learn the basic requirements for the development of visual communication materials in the advertising and marketing industry. Learners nurture creative thinking and visual communication skills through the use of current industry layout and design digital tools.
N/A
In this course, students learn the fundamentals of the advertising industry and the role that advertising plays in achieving marketing and business objectives. Learners examine client-agency relations, fundamentals of strategic planning, creative planning, media planning, and advertising research. Students explore core advertising concepts through industry-focused learning experiences and assessments. In this course, students learn the skills to create marketing communications copy for print, audio, video, and digital media. Learners explore the fundamentals of copywriting and the creative ideation process for print, script writing, and digital copywriting. For example, students practice the building of marketing communications themes and slogans through creative thinking and planning processes. Finally, student teams develop a series of marketing communications materials based on a creative brief and advertising plan for a client.
This practical course will introduce you to electronic publishing and the development of marketing materials for traditional and social media marketing. You will use Adobe Creative Suite software for layout (InDesign), vector drawing (Illustrator) and photo-manipulation (Photoshop) to create effective printed marketing communications pieces. You will build on the skills learned in the prerequisite course MCOM2 and apply them using the publishing tools presented. The objectives of the course is to provide a fundamental understanding of the process of developing, managing and planning marketing campaigns with clients, as well as the principles and practice of electronic publishing.
Prerequisite: MCOM2
In this course, students explore their core strengths and values and use them to refine their career vision. Learners also practice and apply verbal and written communication skills necessary for a successful career search. Students will leave the course with a career portfolio to use with prospective employers that includes evidence of proficiency in presentation skills and the development of professional career search materials.
This course will cover conventional and digital elements of direct marketing management, including list management, fulfillment, creative strategy and execution, testing, and calculating the expected profitability of the direct marketing campaign utilizing a variety of interactive strategies to entice consumer conversion.
Pre-requisites: MARK20
This course provides students with knowledge of essential research techniques applicable to communications and marketing problem solving. Both secondary and primary research techniques are studied and applied in a practical research project. Media research data from a variety of industry sources is also studied.
Prerequisite: MCOM19
Modern creative agencies require effective teamwork to manage projects and cultivate client relationships. This course emphasizes collaborative skills to prepare students for diverse agency roles. You will learn how to document client objectives and strengthen partnerships through professional practices. Utilizing project management principles and approaches, you'll understand how tools and techniques can be deployed at various stages of the project lifecycle to meet customer requirements. By the end of this course, you will prepared to develop and deliver project artifacts including client-facing plans, reports and presentations.
In this course, students examine and evaluate all forms of traditional and digital paid advertising media in consideration of client needs. More specifically, learners explore the planning, pitching, and analyzing of a blended advertising campaign. Students execute a tailored digital advertising campaign on a small budget using a combination of display, video, audio, sponsored, native, social media, search, or programmatic on various platforms. Finally, students manage advertising performance, analyze results, and recommend tactical revisions to optimize future campaign results.
Students will learn the basics of visual communication used in the production of video for a wide variety of formats and end uses. Classes will be in a laboratory and studio setting using professional video production equipment. Technical skills include camera basics, lighting, audio production, linear and non-linear editing.
Field placement provides the student the opportunity to work with practitioners in advertising and/or public relations so that they may familiarize themselves with the realities of the workplace in this field. Students will demonstrate resourcefulness and initiative in uncovering opportunities and, working with their faculty supervisor, secure a work placement suitable for their skills and abilities.
Prerequisite: 4th Semester APR student ready for graduation
This course is designed to teach students how to apply critical thinking concepts to ethical problems. Initially, students learn various aspects of critical thinking and evolve form the knowing stage of critical thinking to the evaluation stage of critical thinking. Students also have an opportunity to explore the ethical process and are exposed to the philosophical aspects of ethical reasoning and progress towards problem solving strategies in relation to controversial issues.
Requirements
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with the majority of Grade 11 and 12 courses at the C, U or M level including the following prerequisites:
- Grade 12 English at the C or U level
- Grade 11 Math at the C, U or M level
For OSSD equivalency options, see Admission Requirements.
If you are missing prerequisite courses, enroll in the Career/College Prep program - free for Ontario residents who are 19 years or older.
- Are your transcripts from outside of Canada? Please visit Applying to SLC - With Your Transcripts for more information.
Fees
2024-2025
Fees are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters.
Tuition fees are subject to change pending confirmation of provincial Ministry Funding rates for 2023-2024.
Fees are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters.
Tuition fees are subject to change pending confirmation of provincial Ministry Funding rates for 2023-2024.
Kingston
Our Kingston campus has seen significant renovation over the past few years, including a brand new Student Life and Innovation Centre that houses a new gymnasium, fitness centre, pub, and more.
Career Opportunities
The skills learned are adaptable to any industry and are in high demand. Graduates find employment in diverse areas, including advertising agencies, and on the client side with big brands, corporations, small businesses, and in the not-for-profit sector. Occupations include: Marketing Communications Coordinator, Copywriter, Social Media Community Manager, Media Sales Rep, Client Services, Digital Marketing Coordinator, Blogger, PR Coordinator, Event Planner, and more..
Companies where our graduates are working at:
- Web Communication Assistant, Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor General of Canada (OSGG).
- Social Media and Marketing Coordinator at Jani-King of Eastern Ontario
- social media coordinator for Blackdog Catering, Kingston's top fine foods brand
- Marketing Coordinator/Designer with Millbrook ReMax Realty
- Marketing Specialist role at Symphony Spa Kingston.
Testimonials
Other Information
Programs at St Lawrence College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with online learning activities. Program delivery can be run weekdays, weekends or evenings. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided a St. Lawrence email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.
Advanced Standing
Applicants with post-secondary credits may be eligible for direct entry to an upper level of the program (semester or year) depending on transfer credits. Select the applicable level when applying at ontariocolleges.ca and ensure that we receive your official post-secondary transcript for consideration. If you are unsure what level to apply for, please contact the program coordinator.
Program Contacts
Program Contact
Kathy Patterson
kpatterson@sl.on.ca
613-544-5400 ext. 6743
Admissions Information
Click here to message Recruitment.
Credit Transfer Opportunities
SLC graduates have many options to continue their studies with post-secondary institutions across Canada and around the world. Agreements between SLC and other institutions that are specific to this program are listed below. In addition, there are many credit transfer pathway agreements between colleges and universities within the province of Ontario. Please also visit www.ontransfer.ca to search for options relevant to your program area of study.
- Royal Roads University - Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication
- Athabasca University - Bachelor of Professional Arts ‐ Communication Studies
- Griffith University - Bachelor of Public Relations and Communication
- Davenport University - Bachelor of Business Administration - Management