Department Chair: Lee Krähenbühl, 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.
Outcomes
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Business Communication, graduates will be able to:
- Apply communication concepts, theories and practices to diverse contexts and audiences.
- Assess competency of communication practices in personal and professional settings.
- Generate creative solutions to ethical and professional problems through critical thinking and collaborative interaction.
- Synthesize knowledge and skills in communication, business, writing, and design in professional contexts outside the classroom.
- Interpret diverse perspectives and advocate with empathy for oneself and others.
Policies
Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the major. The lowest acceptable grade is a "C" in all courses listed in the catalog under "Program Requirements" for the major, including both courses in the major and SEE courses required by the major. 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:
Communication Core Required Courses - (28 credits)
| CM 101 | Public Speaking | 3 credits |
| CM 115 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 credits |
| | or | |
| CM 211 | Intercultural Communication | 3 credits |
| CM 205 | Communication Ethics | 3 credits |
| CM 255 | Small Group Communication | 3 credits |
| CM 270 | New Media Communication | 3 credits |
| CM 290 | Internship Preparation | 1 credit |
| CM 310 | Conflict Resolution and Negotiation | 3 credits |
| CM 390 | Organizational Communication | 3 credits |
| CM 401 | Internship | Variable credits; minimum 3 credits required |
| CM 490 | Communication Capstone | 3 credits |
Business Core Required Courses - 12 credits
| MGT 204 | Principles of Management | 3 credits |
| MKT 206 | Principles of Marketing | 3 credits |
| MKT 311 | Consumer Behavior | 3 credits |
| MKT 336 | Integrated Marketing Communication | 3 credits |
Design Core Required Courses - 9 credits
| GDES 125 | Fundamentals of Digital Media | 3 credits |
| GDES 270 | Introduction to Corporate Communication Design | 3 credits |
| PHOTO 141 | Basic Digital Photography | 3 credits |
Technology Core Requirements - Choose 3 credits from the following.
| ENG 256 | Introduction to Digital Publishing | 3 credits |
| GDES 208 | Web Design I | 3 credits |
| IS 135 | MS Office Applications | 3 credits |
| IS 260 | Presentation Theory and Application | 3 credits |
Writing Core Options - Choose 9 credits - ALL classes also serve as approved electives.
Program Elective Options - Choose 6 credits
| CM 120 | Human Communication | 3 credits |
| CM 206 | Listening and Communication | 3 credits |
| CM 236 | Communication Research and Writing | 3 credits |
| CM 260 | Business and Professional Communication | 3 credits |
| CM 265 | Event Planning and Publicity | 3 credits |
| CM 275 | Principles and Practices of Public Relations | 3 credits |
| CM 300 | Advanced Public Speaking | 3 credits |
| CM 380 | The Advertising Campaign | 3 credits |
| CM 402 | Special Topics in Communication | 3 credits |
| CM 440 | Persuasion Theory | 3 credits |
| CM 445 | Communication and Leadership | 3 credits |
| CM 460 | Communicating Identities | 3 credits |
| ENG 225 | Topics in Creative Writing | 3 credits |
| ENG 381 | Themes in Literature | 3 credits |
| FMI 101 | Cinema I: Storytelling | 3 credits |
| FMI 102 | Cinema II: Continuity | 3 credits |
| FMI 204 | Broadcast Production | 3 credits |
| MGT 224 | Principles of Entrepreneurship | 3 credits |
| MGT 235 | Introduction to Sport Management | 3 credits |
| MKT 307 | Market Research | 3 credits |
| MKT 315 | Sports Marketing | 3 credits |
| MKT 316 | Principles of Negotiation and Sales | 3 credits |
| MKT 325 | International Marketing | 3 credits |
| SOD 395 | The Mill - Design Center | 3 credits |
| CM 331 | Nonverbal Communication | 3 credits |
Other courses as approved by advisor and academic program administrator.
Suggested Course Sequence
2022-23 SCS Business Communication
Minor in Business Communication
A minor in Communication is available. Please contact the department chair for more information.
Other Options
BA Option: Students also have the option of completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Communication. The student must fulfill all SEE requirements, program requirements, and complete two semesters of a foreign language from the point of placement or completion of 202 level.
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 Stevenson University Graduate Catalog.
Course Descriptions
See Communications Course Descriptions