Agriculture Communications Certificate
Combine your passion for agriculture and storytelling with the new Agriculture Communications certificate.
The first of its kind offered in Canada, this one year program prepares you for a meaningful career supporting the agriculture and agri-food industry in communications and marketing.
Delivered asynchronously online, you'll have the flexibility of completing the program around your schedule, allowing you to develop new skills while maintaining your current job or running your own business.
Completed over the course of ten months, you will learn the foundations of professional writing, marketing, and multi-media production, including entry-level videography, photography and audio production. You will also learn how to develop public relations and crisis communications campaigns and strategies that will help them to influence positive change using effective communications and dynamic storytelling.
After completing the online courses, you'll be required to put your new skills and knowledge to the test with a 14-week paid field placement within the industry or with your current employer.
This program is eligible for the Canada Alberta Job Grant. If you are an employer, find out if you are eligible.
Work-Integrated Learning: You will complete a 14-week paid internship within the agriculture and agri-food industry where you will gain practical experience, while developing your skills in effective communication and marketing across multiple mediums.
Program Intake: Fall Intake (September program start)
Applications Open: First Wednesday (9 a.m.) of October
Length of Program: One Year
Method of Delivery: Online (Asynchronous)
Credentials: Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will receive a Certificate in Agriculture Communications.
About the Program
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For course descriptions and requisites, view the Academic Calendar.
Term 1 - View Course Descriptions-
Completed the following:
- COM1040 - Composition and Writing Skills - Business, Journalism, Marketing
- COM1150 - Social Media Management & Marketing
- MDL1020 - Media Literacy and Critical Analysis
- AGF1330 - Foundations of Agriculture and Agri-Food
- MDL1030 - Developing Your Professional Voice in Media and Business
Term 2 - View Course Descriptions-
- MDL1040 - Media Production - Video, Audio, Imagery
- MDL1050 - Storytelling in MultiMedia
- COM1520 - Public Relations and Crisis Communications
- AGL1010 - Leadership and Advocacy in Agriculture
- WIL1500 - Preparation for Experiential Learning in the Workplace
Term 3-
- WIL 2500 - Industry Field Placement
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Olds College of Agriculture & Technology has a solid reputation working with employers in the industry! This directly translates into jobs for our graduates. Opportunities include, but are not limited to:
- Communications Consultant
- Communications Strategist
- Public Relations & Communications Officer
- Communications Manager
- Marketing Advisor
- Operations Communication Advisor
- Digital Communications Advisor
- Customer Service Representative
- Stakeholder Relations Advisor
Visit ALIS to find Occupational Profiles with current wages, industry trends and more!
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Program Dates
Find out when your term start and end dates are, so that you know when you are expected to be in attendance. For more information, please review the Program Dates & Fee Schedule.
Class Registration
You will be registered into your classes automatically. This will happen approximately 1 month prior to the start-date for your program. You will be notified once you have been timetabled into your courses. You will be able to see your class schedule in your My Olds College account. If you need to make any changes to your class registration, please contact the Office of the Registrar.
Technology Recommendation
It is required that you come to Olds College of Agriculture & Technology with the following technology:
- A laptop with Windows10 or higher with at least 2 GB of GPU and 8 GB of RAM capable of running Adobe Creative Suite is mandatory for this program, as students will be using these programs extensively in lectures and classes.
- A Smartphone with HD camera (minimum 1080p quality) with a minimum of 15 GB free space for recording audio, video, and photo.
As part of your student accounts, all students have access to Office 365 for the duration of their time with Olds College. To access this you just need to follow these steps:
- Go to portal.office.com
- Enter your Olds College email address and password
- Once logged in there is a button on the right that says "Install Office Apps"
This will give you access to the full Office suite on your computer, for both Windows and Mac based platforms.
Materials & Supplies
The following items are required:
- Apple Lightning to 3.5 mm adapter or USB-C to 3.5 mm adapter (depending on smartphone make).
- Audio Splitter
- A 1 TB external drive
- Lavalier microphone and portable audio recorder.
- Headphones/earbuds
Textbooks
- Canadian Press Stylebook 19th edition
- Canadian Press Caps and Spelling 23rd Edition
Information on any further supplies will be provided as you attend each class. All books and supplies will be available during the first few weeks of classes in the College Campus Store.
Other Important Information:
- Time Requirements: This program involves a lot of group work and projects, which will require extra time outside of regular class hours to complete
