Media
May 2009 Trying to find out what’s the right career for you? Read how student Christine Eisler-Schoonderwoerd found her niche as an agricultural communicator through our Diploma in Agricultural Communications.
Aggie in the City
April 2009 Diploma in Agricultural Communications at the University of Guelph moves completely online for September 2009 Canada’s first graduate-level agricultural communications program is now 100 per cent web-based, expanding its accessibility and flexibility. Owen Roberts, the program's academic coordinator, says the time is right to expand the program by making it completely online and moving to a totally web-based delivery model. "This approach will support our goal of greater accessibility and diversity among students and instructors," says Roberts. "The feedback we were getting from applicants and potential participants was that the residencies we had built into the program were restricting it too much. This new approach opens it up appreciably." He says technology permits the activities that were the focus of the residencies -- mainly, student presentations -- to be delivered online instead. The Diploma in Agricultural Communications provides learners with a series of courses focused on applied skill development in communications practice and theory. Students develop specific skills in news delivery including story development, writing for print and broadcast, broadcast delivery, www publishing, citizen journalism, digital photography, freelancing and ghost writing. As well, the program helps nurture excellence in subjective writing, through editorials, op-eds and columns. All assignments and discussions are specific to the agricultural industry, including ethical dilemmas and standards for agricultural communication professionals. The virtual internship that concludes the program gives participants a workplace opportunity to apply the skills and concepts they've learned.
Graduates will be prepared to immediately participate in agricultural organizations, in the media or in the agricultural industry as skilled communicators.

Applications are being accepting until July 3, 2009 for the 2009-2010 cohort. See what other students are saying about the program and start the application process by registering online at www.agcommunication.ca

For more information visit the program website at www.agcommunications.ca or contact:
Marjory Gaouette
Manager, Program Development, Office of Open Learning, University of Guelph
519-824-4120 ext 53862 or at mgaouett@open.uoguelph.ca
CFWF
Jan/Feb 2009 		Cover Story about the first cohort's graduation, in Canada's national newletter for agricultural journalists.
Graduate
Terry Stevenson		 Cohort One wrapped up its experience with a trip to the CBC headquarters and the Toronto Star newsroom. Read cohort member Terry Stevenson's detailed account here.