Overview
The part-time Media Techniques for Business Certificate focuses design, hands-on use of creative cloud software, and marketing knowledge tailored for operations, finance, and other business departments. You will gain business skills with a creative perspective and acquire relevant job skills that can set you apart from other designers.
You might think design is only usable in advertising. But there are actually many different areas of business where your creative skills can make you a sought-after and valued employee. By training in this program on today’s creative cloud software along with design skills you will be able to apply media techniques that focus on operations, finance departments, and other business-specific domains. You’ll be developing unique skills that can set you apart from many other designers and help you begin an exciting new career.
About the program
- Learn business planning skills through a creative lens with relevant job skills
- No application required
Learn more about how BCIT helps you achieve your career goals at the Program Details.
Who should complete the Media Techniques for Business Certificate?
It isn’t necessary to have a bachelor’s degree to enrol in this program, but if you already have some post-secondary education or work experience, you might find this program even more helpful. Some students, in fact, are already working in the industry and pursue this certificate as professional development and may have their employers pay for their training.
This program may be for you if:
- You enjoy a fast-paced, exciting workplace
- You are interested in creative design and creative cloud software
- You have some familiarity with business
- You’re hoping to enhance your Graphic Design skills for use in a business career
If any of this sounds like you, visit the Entrance Requirements page today to enrol—there’s no application required!
What grads can do
Your certificate from BCIT opens the way for your choice of a variety of rewarding careers. Not only does your training add impressive skills to your resume to help it stand out, but it also gives you the relevant knowledge you’ll use every day in your chosen career along with the confidence to succeed.
Your focus on practical software and creative cloud software skills prepares you to pursue a career in the communications areas of any business, from entrepreneurial businesses to major corporations. And as every aspect of today’s businesses becomes more and more interactive, the job prospects are currently strong and projected to grow.
To learn more about some specific opportunities awaiting you, visit the Graduating and Jobs page.
- Next up Entrance Requirements
Entrance Requirements
About Flexible Learning
Take a single course, or work towards a credential — all at a pace that’s right for you.
Part-time courses are offered in a variety of scheduling formats, including at night or on weekends, flexible day time delivery, or you can opt for distance or online learning. If you meet the prerequisites and there’s space available, you can register for a course immediately. Courses are offered in each of three terms: Fall (September), Winter (January) and Spring/Summer (April).
To apply to a Flexible Learning program and earn your credential, you simply need to complete a Part-time Program Declaration Request. Applications are processed throughout the year.
Application processing
This program is open to declarations beginning:
- February 1st* for the January intake
- May 1st* for the April intake
- October 1st* for the September intake
Entrance requirements
Declarations submitted for program intakes beginning April 1, 2025 or later will be evaluated using the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement below.
- English language proficiency: Category 2 – English Studies 12 (67%) or equivalent
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.
Program declaration
Declaring your Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) program ensures that BCIT is aware of your intent to complete a program as it is currently outlined and provides you the opportunity to apply for transfer credit.
To submit your declaration:
- Answer all questions completely.
- If required, convert transcripts and documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Declare Now
Upon approval, a program plan letter will be sent to you confirming your program of study. Please allow approximately eight weeks for processing.
Scheduled Intakes
Ongoing Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) intakes: January, April, and September.
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Costs & Supplies
Most courses and programs in the School of Business + Media are BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). Please ensure you bring a laptop to every class. Plug-in outlets will be provided at most stations in classrooms, but not in all classrooms, so please ensure you have at least 2 hours of battery life available at the beginning of each class. Check the following recommended computer requirements (PDF) prior to the start of class. If a program or course does not require you to provide your own device, that information will be provided by your instructor or indicated in the course outline.
For online classes, it is important you have a stable and consistent internet connection to access course content.
Tuition fees
Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Flexible Learning Tuition & Fees page for more information on domestic and international tuitions.
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
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Courses
Important updates to Flexible Learning
English Requirement: Find out more.
By training to use your creative cloud software techniques in various aspects of business, you’ll be getting the hands-on, usable skills employers are searching for. The courses in this program have been created to give you a solid creative design foundation using the most current industry programs including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Acrobat enhanced by modern colour theory. You’ll also design your own online portfolio and presentation to show clients and potential employers your accomplishments.
Program matrix changes effective September 2020 may impact you as follows.
Total credits required to complete this program has changed from 48 credits to 45 credits, effective September 2020. If your program declaration lists 48 credits, you are eligible to receive your credential, without taking any further courses, once you have completed 45 credits AND have completed all required courses.
Please note: part-time programs and courses are open enrolment and although we make every effort to accommodate demand, course registration cannot be guaranteed in every semester. High demand courses fill quickly and may result in students unable to register for a course that semester. Courses may also be cancelled due to low enrolment.
Program matrix
Check current availability of courses for this program.
1. Required Courses: | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
COMM 1103 | Introduction to Business and Technical Communication | 3.0 | |
GDES 1140 | Colour Theory | 3.0 | |
or | |||
MDIA 1140 | Color Theory for Design | 3.0 | |
GDES 1235 | Graphic Design Process | 3.0 | |
or | |||
MDIA 1040 | Graphics | 3.0 | |
MKTG 1102 | Essentials of Marketing | 3.0 | |
MKTG 1352 | Digital Marketing | 3.0 | |
2. Complete 30.0 credits from the following list of electives: | Credits | ||
BCST 1180 | Introduction to Video Editing | 3.0 | |
BLAW 3100 | Business Law | 4.0 | |
BUSA 1005 | Introduction to Business | 3.0 | |
BUSA 1305 | Supervisory Skills | 3.0 | |
COMM 2202 | Business and Technical Correspondence | 3.0 | |
FMGT 1152 | Accounting for the Manager | 3.0 | |
GDES 1069 | Layout: Adobe InDesign | 3.0 | |
or | |||
MDIA 1049 | Adobe InDesign 1 | 1.5 | |
and | |||
MDIA 2049 | Adobe InDesign 2 | 1.5 | |
GDES 1105 | Visual Composition and Layout | 3.0 | |
or | |||
MDIA 1105 | Visual Composition & Layout | 3.0 | |
GDES 1270 | Vector Graphics: Adobe Illustrator | 3.0 | |
or | |||
MDIA 1160 | Adobe Illustrator 1 | 1.5 | |
and | |||
MDIA 2260 | Adobe Illustrator 2 | 1.5 | |
GDES 1275 | Raster Graphics: Adobe Photoshop | 3.0 | |
or | |||
MDIA 1180 | Adobe Photoshop 1 | 1.5 | |
and | |||
MDIA 2180 | Adobe Photoshop 2 | 1.5 | |
GDES 2012 | Image Post Production | 3.0 | |
GDES 2088 | Strategic Design For Business | 3.0 | |
or | |||
MDIA 2088 | Strategic Design for Business | 3.0 | |
GDES 2145 | Typography | 3.0 | |
or | |||
MDIA 1920 | Typography | 3.0 | |
MDIA 1099 | Photography 1 | 1.5 | |
MDIA 2099 | Photography 2 | 1.5 | |
MDIA 2025 | Digital Portfolio Development | 3.0 | |
or | |||
MDIA 2310 | Portfolio Design | 3.0 | |
Note: The following changes to courses effective January 2023:
If declared, all completed MDIA courses listed above will be honoured. |
|||
Total Credits: | 45.0 |
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
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Program Details
The Media Techniques for Business Certificate Program will give you the hands on skills and experience you need to:
- Create and design vector computer graphics
- Apply colour theory principles to promotional materials
- Develop a professional computer presentation with animation and sound
- Create and design pages using visual composition and layout principles
- Produce professional typographic composition
- Create and design pages with interactive content
- Create and write presentation copy materials
- Deliver a professional oral presentation
- Create portable document format files (PDF), with security, for electronic distribution
- Apply practical colour management techniques for accurate colour reproduction
- Prepare and present a professional portfolio
Program delivery
Blended: This program is delivered partly on campus and partly online.
Program location
Courses may be offered at the following locations:
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Downtown Campus
555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC
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Graduating & Jobs
There are many opportunities for graduates of this program in today’s strong job market. Partially because of the unique training this program offers, you’ll graduate with skills that apply to a variety of job titles and the confidence and portfolio to help begin your rewarding, successful career.
Some job opportunities include:
- Marketing Strategist
- Graphic Designer
- Graphic and Digital Marketing Designer
- Web Designer
- Digital Designer
- Business and Technical Assistant
- Corporate Communicator
- Marketing and Social Media Strategist
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2021-2023 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2020-2022 graduates and for Degree 2019-2021 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Apply for graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit it to Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing.
All financial obligations to the Institute must be met prior to issuance of any credential.
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Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Many instructors in the Media Techniques for Business Certificate Program have years of active experience in the media and business industry. Some of the instructors are members of professional institutes and organization that relate to the areas of study. These memberships allow instructors to remain current on new industry standards and offer fresh insight to students on recent developments.
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Contact Us
Linda Huang
Flexible Learning Program Assistant – Digital Arts, Media and Design
Tel: 604-453-8284
Email: linda_huang@bcit.ca
Aimee Chung
Flexible Learning Coordinator – Digital Arts, Media and Design
Tel: 604-453-8380
Email: aimee_chung@bcit.ca
Contact a Flexible Learning Program Advisor with the BCIT program name in the subject line if you have a question about:
- Course selection and program planning
- Declaring your program
- Making changes to your approved program plan
- Applying for transfer credit and advanced placement
- Laddering options
- Job placement and graduate outcomes
- Student life
Questions or comments?
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