Bachelor of Digital Communications
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Program Overview
Humber’s Bachelor of Digital Communications degree program explores the dynamic media environment and the cultural, social, economic and political implications of digital innovation. Communications studies are becoming recognized as one of the most significant social sciences in the 21st century. Increasingly, worldviews are shaped through messages received from television, film, the internet, social media and a host of media arts, with profound impacts on how the world and the self are viewed. The construction of everyday lives and identities are negotiated through digital media and social networks which influence how we live, the products we produce and consume, and how we connect.
This program is rigorous and innovative, developing digital storytellers who are skilled in writing, visual communication, web applications and social media. You will build business acumen while working in an environment where creative ideas and methods cross-pollinate. As you gain technical competency, you will collaborate and innovate with peers, faculty and visitors, building personal communication and networking skills. Intensive lectures and labs provide direction and practical experience, sharpening technical skills and stimulating critical discourse, using student work as a starting point. Access to equipment and computing spaces enables reflective and collaborative project work. Historical, legal, ethical and theoretical considerations are built into the creative process.
As part of the program, you will take courses that deepen your awareness of your roles as a citizen conscious of the social, political, environmental and cultural contexts of your work. As a senior student in this program, you will specialize in advanced communication theory and techniques. A culminating capstone project showcases your abilities and learning and serves as a platform for launching a career in social media co-ordination and management, digital content creation, media relations and many other mass communications fields. Graduates may also choose to further their studies at the master’s level.
Semester 1 |
|---|
| DCOM 1003: Introduction to Digital Media and Communications |
| MSCP 1000: Writing 1: Writing Fundamentals |
| MSCP 1003: Social Media 1 |
| MSCP 1501: Photography Fundamentals |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| DEGE : Degree Breadth Elective |
Semester 2 |
|---|
| MSCP 1001: Video and Audio Content Creation |
| MSCP 1002: Writing 2: Media Writing Fundamentals |
| MSCP 1502: Multiplatform Storytelling 1 |
| MSCP 1503: Communications Law and Ethics |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| DEGE : Degree Breadth Elective |
Semester 3 |
|---|
| DCOM 1500: Video and Audio Production 2 |
| DCOM 2004: Writing for Digital Media |
| DCOM 2005: Design Foundations |
| DCOM 2006: Introduction to Code |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| DEGE : Degree Breadth Elective |
Semester 4 |
|---|
| DCOM 1501: Advanced Photography Techniques |
| DCOM 2001: Visual Communications |
| DCOM 2504: Professional Web Building |
| DCOM 2505: UX Research and Design |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| DEGE : Degree Breadth Elective |
Semester 5 |
|---|
| DCOM 2503: Social Media 2 |
| DCOM 3000: Media History |
| DCOM 3002: Interactive Design |
| DCOM 3502: Professional Practice |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| DEGE : Degree Breadth Elective |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| MEDE : Media Elective |
Semester 6 |
|---|
| DCOM 3001: Digital Media and Society |
| DCOM 3501: Project Management for Digital Communications |
| DCOM 4502: Web and Social Media Analytics |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| DEGE : Degree Breadth Elective |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| MEDE : Media Elective |
Work Experience - SEM 6C |
|---|
| DCOM 3600: Field Experience - Digital Communications |
Semester 7 |
|---|
| DCOM 4000: Digital Communications Capstone Project 1 |
| DCOM 4001: Digital Narrative |
| DCOM 4002: Persuasive Campaigns and Consumer Culture |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| DEGE : Degree Breadth Elective |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| MEDE : Media Elective |
Semester 8 |
|---|
| DCOM 4500: Digital Communications Capstone Project 2 |
| DCOM 4501: Critical Analysis of Media and Technology |
| DCOM 4503: Content Strategy |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| DEGE : Degree Breadth Elective |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| MEDE : Media Elective |
Work-Integrated Learning
Work-Integrated Learning courses serve as the vital link between academic learning and real-world application. Within this framework, students actively participate in the Professional Practice course, equipping you with the necessary skills and confidence to secure your own field experience. Throughout this journey, a dedicated career & work-integrated learning advisor offers personalized guidance and support.
In the summer semester between Years 3 and 4, students immerse themselves in the Field Experience course, committing 420 hours of practical application within the field. Whether pursuing paid or unpaid opportunities, all experiences undergo approval by your career & work-integrated learning advisor to ensure relevance.
The Humber Advantage
Media, Creative Arts, and Design Students Vote for the Future
Students from more than eight Media, Creative Arts, and Design programs worked with Villamedia to test the company's AI-driven generative art project, Vote for Peace, and to learn how the technology may be used in the future.
In a rapidly changing digital landscape, Transmedia creates multi-dimensional storytelling experiences that provides audiences the opportunity to be engaged like never before. Immersive, collaborative and deeply engaging, Transmedia revolves around the telling of stories using a variety of platforms. The overall narrative experience is intended to be enhanced by audience engagement with each successive platform.
Use your digital media skills to succeed in the evolving field of communications. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada forecasts that communications job openings will increase over the next decade.
Expert Faculty
You'll learn from professors who have real-world experience, advanced academic credentials and connections to industry. Our professors are committed to providing you with practical, hands-on training as well as rich theoretical perspectives to help you achieve the career you want.
View CredentialsAlison Gelata
MCM - McMaster University
BA - McMaster University
GC - Humber College
Brian Hastings
MA - Ryerson University
BJ - Ryerson University
Gemma Richardson
PhD – Western University
MA – University of Windsor
BJ - Carleton University
Professor and Program Co-ordinator
Jessica Thom
PhD (Media Studies) – Western University
MA (Communication and Culture) – York University/Ryerson University
BFA – Ryerson University
Professor
Jessica Duffin Wolfe
PhD - University of Toronto
MA - University of Toronto
BA - McGill University
Professor
Kenneth Chou
MFA - Ryerson University
BFA - Ryerson University
Naeema Farooqi
PhD – University of Liverpool, UK
MA – Coventry University, UK
MBA - QAU, Pakistan
Professor
Robert Sischy
MDM - Ryerson University
BA - York University
Steven James May
PhD (Communication and Culture) - York University & Ryerson University
MA (Media Production) - Ryerson University
BAA (Honours) Radio and Television Arts - Ryerson University
BAS (Honours) Administrative Studies - Trent University
Professor
Kenneth Chou
Kenneth Chou is a graduate of the School of Image Arts, Ryerson University. He’s had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients spanning industries from the performing arts, literature, and film and television. His work has been published in Macleans, the Globe and Mail, and on the BBC. While working with The Glenn Gould Foundation, Ken had the honour of photographing the renowned soprano Jessye Norman, and the iconic composer Philip Glass. Besides being an educator and photographer, he is also the co-founder of Better than Fine Inc, a production company specializing in digital content creation, and media strategy.
Alison Gelata
Alison spent more than fifteen years in agency, industry and education leading integrated communications portfolios. Starting out agency-side, she worked for two award-winning public relations firms based in Toronto. Her work has involved integrated campaign management, crisis communications, and, most intensively, digital strategy. Her most recent role before moving to teaching and research was leading digital communications for the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Engineering. In addition to teaching at Humber, Alison is a sessional lecturer with Ryerson University and the University of Toronto Mississauga through a partnership program in Digital Enterprise Management with Sheridan College.
Alison possesses a master’s degree in Communications Management from McMaster University where she completed research focussed on building trust through digital engagement in the health sector. Earlier in her academic studies she completed her bachelor of arts degree at McMaster University, followed by postgraduate certification in public relations from Humber College.
Steven May
Steven May is a professor in Humber College's Faculty of Media & Creative Arts. May holds a PhD in Communication & Culture from Toronto Metropolitan (Ryerson) University and York University. His core research interest is television distribution in the digital age.
Sheila Sampath
Sheila Sampath (she/they) is an activist, designer and educator working at the intersection of creativity, capacity-building and social change. Currently, she is a professor in the Bachelor of Digital Communications program at Humber College and a community mentor in Sketch’s NextUp! Mentorship program. She is also the editorial and art director of Shameless, Canada’s intersectional feminist voice for people of marginalized genders, and the principal and creative director at The Public, a community-centred social justice design studio she founded in 2008. From 2014 to 2019, she was an assistant professor of alternative and speculative practices at OCAD University. In 2013, Sheila published her first book, Letters Lived, a collection of reflections from feminist activists.
Sheila has served on the board of the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape (where she was also a counsellor, organizer and support worker) and the South Asian Visual Arts Centre, and is currently on the program advisory committee of the George Brown assaulted women and children’s counsellor/advocate program.
As an educator, Sheila contributed to building a consent culture at OCAD University, co-creating resources and art installations with students that address sexual and gender-based violence. Her mentorship and feminist pedagogical approach won her a faculty of design teaching award.
Sheila's design work has been awarded an RGD So(cial) Good Award, a Planned Parenthood Toronto Choice in Media award, and multiple community impact awards for her health equity campaign work. Sheila was named one of one hundred people of colour anti-racist activists by the Racism Free Ontario campaign, and a 2021 Woman of Distinction from the YWCA Toronto for advancing the lives of women and girls through the arts.
Jessica Thom
Jessica Thom has a PhD in Media Studies. Jessica studies audiences and users of new media technologies with a focus on news and credibility. In the past Jessica has studied advertising, news, audiences, filmmakers, film, and media.
Jessica Wolfe
Jessica Duffin Wolfe teaches interactive design and digital storytelling in the Digital Communications, Journalism, and Film degree programs at Humber’s Lakeshore campus. Before joining Humber, she completed a PhD in English, Book History, and Print Culture, and worked as a critic, magazine editor, and web developer. She’s taught previously at OCAD University and the University of Toronto, and is working to develop Humber’s immersive storytelling capacity. You can learn more about her writing and projects at her website: https://jessicaduffinwolfe.com
Study Abroad
Propel your resume and life story to the next level by taking advantage of the global opportunities offered at Humber. Gain academic credit, develop highly valued employability skills, and create connections with people from all over the world through our many offerings: Summer Abroad, Semester Exchange, Humber Global Summer School, and many other opportunities!
To learn more, please visit Humber Global, or contact Jennifer Cleary at Jennifer.Cleary@humber.ca.
Your Career
In the digital age, communicators have far more reach than ever before to tell stories, share images and influence opinions. As many organizations change to reflect the communication needs of the public, there are opportunities for people with modern skillsets to begin their careers. Graduates may find positions in the digital media industry or as communication professionals within commercial, non-profit, governmental or other organizations. Job titles of recent graduates include social media co-ordinator, content production co-ordinator, digital communications specialist, production assistant, portfolio manager, and assistant designer among many others.
Related Programs
Program Availability
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | Lakeshore | Open |
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | Lakeshore | Open |
Humber is a publicly funded institution and does not have a public-private partnership. International students graduating from Humber are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
International students in Canada could be eligible for an automatic scholarship*. Apply now!
Check out the step-by-step Admissions Road Map for helpful information and additional resources.
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | Lakeshore | Open |
Humber is a publicly funded institution and does not have a public-private partnership. International students graduating from Humber are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
International applicants outside of Canada can apply through Humber International. Check out the step-by-step Admissions Road Map for helpful information and additional resources.
Upcoming Recruitment Events
1st Annual Digital Communications Capstone Presentation: Showcasing Digital Storytellers
Watch the video to see how students presented a wide variety of digital projects, all created and presented by the program's first graduating cohort!
News Feed
From classroom to boardroom: Humber student launches eco-friendly business
Thu, April 15, 2021
Xana Mills is a graduating Bachelor of Digital Communications student. We caught up with Xana via email to hear more about her business and how it developed over her time at Humber.
No news at this time.
Ministry Consent
Humber College has been granted a consent by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to offer this applied degree for a seven-year term starting March 10, 2022. Humber College shall ensure that all students admitted to the above-named program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.
Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber Polytechnic reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
