• Introduction
• Program Recognition
• Curriculum
• Course Delivery
• Admission
• Program Cost
• Graduation Requirement
• Articulation to Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communications Specialization in Tourism and Cultural Communication

Introduction

The Graduate Certificate in Tourism and Cultural Communication meets the needs of those who have earned a baccalaureate degree and wish to obtain a foundation in tourism communication without committing to a full master's degree program. It also offers the opportunity for students to continue on to complete the full master’s degree program.

The program provides an introduction to tourism communication and enables students to gain core knowledge and skills to prepare them for a new career area or a specialization within the industry.

Click here for more information on the graduate program learning outcomes.

Program Recognition

• Zayed University's graduate programs are approved by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
• As Zayed University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the program is internationally recognized for further education and employment in private and public sector organizations.

Furthermore, the College of Communication and Media Sciences endeavors to achieve accredited status with the

• Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC).

Curriculum

Graduate Certificate in Tourism and Cultural Communication

Orientation Seminar

At the beginning of the program, students take an intensive one-day orientation seminar. The orientation offers a number of workshops to introduce students to the program including Blackboard (virtual classroom software), case study and analysis, library resources, and the writing of reports and reference citations.

Courses

The curriculum comprises the first 4 courses of the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communications Specialization in Tourism and Cultural Communication program for a total of 12 credits for the graduate certificate:

• COM 501 Foundations of Communication Studies
• COM 502 Introduction to Communication Research
• COM 520 Tourism Principles and Practices
• COM 522 Tourism Communication

The program takes an integrated approach to advanced academic study that enables students to relate their course work to their daily professional activities. Assessment will be continuous throughout the program, using a combination of case studies, research projects, written papers and presentations, relying on both formal and informal faculty and peer-review activities.

Click here for information on the course descriptions.

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communications Specialization in Tourism and Cultural Communication

Students who prefer to enrol in the full Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communications Specialization in Tourism and Cultural Communication program must complete 12 courses for a total of 36 credits. 

Click here for more information on the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communications Specialization in Tourism and Cultural Communication program.

Course Delivery 

Course Duration

The program is delivered in English over a period of 12 months at Zayed University located in Abu Dhabi and/or Dubai.

Course Delivery Format

The in-classroom instruction for each course is conducted during two evenings on weekdays over a six-week period. 

For more information on the admission deadline, start date and location for delivery of the program, please visit the Key Dates section of our website.

Admission

• Admission is open to males and females of all nationalities.
• Applicants must have earned a four-year baccalaureate degree with a GPA of 2.5 or higher from an accredited university.
• IELTS score of 5.50 (with minimum sub scores no less than 5.0 in reading and writing) or TOEFL score of 550 (CBT 213 - IBT 79).*
• Candidates do not need an undergraduate degree in communication to pursue the Graduate Certificate in Tourism and Cultural Communication. However, if they were not communication or media majors, they will be required to take preparatory work as necessary, to be determined on a case-by-case basis. Prospective students may be allowed to take qualifying coursework at another institution.

*Contact us for Zayed University's special English language programs designed for graduate students who do not currently meet the minimum English language entry or exit admission requirements or wish to improve their language beyond standard entry requirements.

For more information on the admission requirements and application procedure, please visit the Admissions and Fees section of our website.

Program Cost

AED 32,000 (including text books and course materials)

For more information on the program cost and payment procedure, please visit the Admissions and Fees section of our website.

Graduation Requirement

Graduate students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in course work taken in fulfillment of the requirements of a graduate certificate. 

Articulation to Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communications Specialization in Tourism and Cultural Communication

Courses successfully completed with a "B" or higher grade may be transferable into an affiliated Zayed University Master's degree program; however, admission into the graduate certificate does not guarantee admission into the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communications Specialization in Tourism and Cultural Communication program. Students, if admitted, must request transfer of completed graduate certificate course credits to the Master's degree program.