Department Chair: Chip Rouse, M.Ed, M.A.
Description
The business communication program addresses the need of all businesses for clear, persuasive communication. Students majoring in business communication are prepared for a range of career opportunities or graduate school in communication, management, marketing, writing or design. Graduates are employed in both the public and private sectors and in business and industry.
Traditional business courses along with courses in communication, writing, publication, information technologies, video, photography, and design provide a firm foundation in business and the flexible skills needed to succeed in an increasingly expanding and sophisticated workforce. Study in classrooms and laboratories are enhanced by the practical application of these skills in a required internship. Students learn business principles and functions and develop oral and written presentations using information technologies, video, photography and graphics. They work in teams to plan, solve problems, and produce results in a timely fashion. Through classes and practical experience, students develop research skills, technical proficiency, and the ability to work with other departments or with clients in producing newsletters, composing reports, and creating promotional materials or group presentations. Their skills also include the ability to work in event planning, media, advertising, public relations, publishing, and marketing.
Objectives
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Business Communication, graduates will be able to
- Demonstrate communication competency among various publics, through oral and written communication, including speeches, presentations, research, and informal dialogue.
- Demonstrate competency in the various forms of business and public writing.
- Demonstrate competency in explaining key concepts and practices of business and other organizations through class projects, case studies, and multimedia presentations.
- Demonstrate competency in key concepts and principles in the fields of video or photography through the production of a finished portfolio or piece.
- Apply principles of publication design and layout by employing both Mac and PC software programs in business applications.
- Demonstrate competency in information technology through word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
- 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:
| EDCP 100 | | |
| ACC 215 | Survey of Accounting | 3 credits |
| CM 101 | Public Speaking | 3 credits |
| CM 115 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 credits |
| CM 211 | Intercultural Communication | 3 credits |
| CM 253/ENG 253 | Journalism I | 3 credits |
| CM 254/ENG 254 | 254 Journalism II | 3 credits |
| CM 260 | Business and Professional Communication | 3 credits |
| CM 290 | Business Communication Internship Prep | 1 credit |
| CM 390 | Organizational Communication | 3 credits |
| CM 401 | Senior Internship | Variable credits |
| FMI 101 | Cinema I: Storytelling | 3 credits |
| | or | |
| PHOTO 141 | Basic Digital Photography | 3 credits |
| IS 135 | MS Office Applications | 3 credits |
| MATH 136 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 credits |
| MGT 204 | Principles of Management | 3 credits |
| MKT 206 | Principles of Marketing | 3 credits |
| VCD 124 | Introduction to Computer Graphics | 3 credits |
| VCD 270 | Introduction to Corporate Communication Design | 3 credits |
Take 4 focused electives (12 credits) from the following courses:
| CM 255 | Small Group Communication | 3 credits |
| CM 265 | Event Planning and Publicity | 3 credits |
| CM 270 | New Media Communication | 3 credits |
| CM 275 | Principles and Practices of Public Relations | 3 credits |
| CM 310 | Conflict Resolution and Negotiation | 3 credits |
| CM 350 | Junior Internship | Variable credits |
| CM 380 | The Advertising Campaign | 3 credits |
| CM 402 | Special Topics in Communication | 3 credits |
| IS 260 | Presentation Theory and Application | 3 credits |
| VCD 370 | The Relationship of Design and Business | 3 credits |
Six credits from the following courses:
Three business electives selected from the following subjects:
MGT, MKT, EC, FIN, INBUS or LAW 208.
Minor in Business Communication
A minor in business communication is not 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