Business Communication

School of Design

Department of Business Communication

Associate Dean: Nadene Vevea, Ph.D.

Description

The Business Communication program offers a communication degree with specialized skills and knowledge in business, writing, and design in order to prepare competent communication practitioners. Students majoring in Business Communication are prepared for a range of career opportunities in positions such as those found in corporate communication, marketing, public relations, and non-profit leadership among others or to enter graduate school. Graduates gain the skills necessary to listen to, appreciate, and empathize with diverse voices and perspectives which enhances their problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills in both the public and private sectors.

Communication courses, along with those in business, writing, and design provide a firm foundation for communication practitioners and the adaptable skills and knowledge needed to succeed in an increasingly diverse, expanding, and dynamic workforce. Students learn the core elements of competent communication to work with or on diverse communication and creative problem-solving and decision-making teams found in today’s market. Coursework is enhanced and supplemented with practical application in a required internship. Ultimately, graduates of this program are the people who organizations and communities seek to help collaborate and connect with a myriad of individuals and audiences.

Objectives

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Business Communication, graduates will be able to

  1. Demonstrate communication competency among various publics, through oral and written communication, including speeches, presentations, research, and informal dialogue.
  2. Demonstrate competency in the various forms of business and public writing.
  3. Demonstrate competency in explaining key concepts and practices of business and other organizations through class projects, case studies, and multimedia presentations.
  4. Demonstrate competency in key concepts and principles in the fields of video or photography through the production of a finished portfolio or piece.
  5. Apply principles of publication design and layout by employing both Mac and PC software programs in business applications.
  6. Demonstrate competency in information technology through word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
  7. Complete an internship that satisfies employer and program expectations.

Policies

Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the major, and the lowest acceptable grade is a "C" in all major and Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE) courses. No student, regardless of major, will be permitted to advance to the next course without earning a grade of "C" or better in the prerequisite course(s). When a grade below "C" is earned in a major course, the student must repeat that course.

Requirements

The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor’s degree in business communication. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE).

Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.

Major Requirements:

FYS 100First Year Seminar

1 credit

Communication Core Required Courses - (31 credits)

CM 101Public Speaking

3 credits

CM 115Interpersonal Communication

3 credits

CM 205Communication Ethics

3 credits

CM 211Intercultural Communication

3 credits

CM 255Small Group Communication

3 credits

CM 260Business and Professional Communication

3 credits

CM 270New Media Communication

3 credits

CM 290Internship Preparation

1 credit

CM 310Conflict Resolution and Negotiation

3 credits

CM 390Organizational Communication

3 credits

CM 401Senior Internship

Variable credits

Business Core Required Courses - 16 credits

MATH 136Introduction to Statistics

4 credits

MGT 204Principles of Management

3 credits

MKT 206Principles of Marketing

3 credits

MKT 311Consumer Behavior

3 credits

MKT 336Integrated Marketing Communication

3 credits

Design Core Required Courses - 9 credits

PHOTO 141Basic Digital Photography

3 credits

VCD 125Fundamentals of Digital Media

3 credits

VCD 270Introduction to Corporate Communication Design

3 credits

Writing Core Options - Choose 12 credits - ALL classes also serve as approved electives.

CM 253/ENG 253Journalism I

3 credits

CM 254/ENG 254Journalism II

3 credits

CM 303/ENG 303Feature Writing

3 credits

CM 304/ENG 304Magazine Writing and Publishing

3 credits

CM 305/ENG 305Journalism Practicum

3

CM 314/ENG 314Public Relations Writing

3 credits

CM 323Writing for the Web

3 credits

ENG 224Introduction to Creative Writing

3 credits

ENG 324Creative Writing: Non-Fiction

3 credits

ENG 253/CM 253Journalism I

3 credits

Program Elective Options - Choose 9 credits

or select courses as approved by advisor and associate dean

CM 120Human Communication

3 credits

CM 265Event Planning and Publicity

3 credits

CM 275Principles and Practices of Public Relations

3 credits

CM 300Advanced Public Speaking

3 credits

CM 350Junior Internship

Variable credits

CM 380The Advertising Campaign

3 credits

CM 402Special Topics in Communication

3 credits

ENG 381Themes in Literature

3 credits

FMI 101Cinema I: Storytelling

3 credits

FMI 102Cinema II: Continuity

3 credits

FMI 204Broadcast Production

3 credits

MGT 224Principles of Entrepreneurship

3 credits

MGT 235Introduction to Sport Management

3 credits

MKT 307Market Research

3 credits

MKT 315Sports Marketing

3 credits

MKT 316Principles of Negotiation and Sales

3 credits

MKT 325International Marketing

3 credits

Suggested Course Sequence

Suggested Course Sequence Business Communication

Minor in Business Communication

A minor in business communication is not available. A minor in communication is available.

Other Options

BS/MS Option: The BS/MS option is available for students majoring in business communication who wish to combine their bachelor’s coursework with work toward a master’s degree in one of Stevenson’s graduate programs. Students choosing this option may earn their master's degree in as little as one year after their bachelor's degree. Interested students must formally apply for entrance into a BS/MS option in their junior year. Once admitted into this program, students develop an educational plan in consultation with their undergraduate and graduate advisors. A master's degree in Communication Studies is available. For more information on this program, see the School of Graduate and Professional Studies Catalog.

Course Descriptions

See Business Communications Course Descriptions