Business Communication

School of Design, Arts, and Communication

Department of Communication

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:

  1. Apply communication concepts, theories and practices to diverse contexts and audiences.
  2. Assess competency of communication practices in personal and professional settings.
  3. Generate creative solutions to ethical and professional problems through critical thinking and collaborative interaction.
  4. Synthesize knowledge and skills in communication, business, writing, and design in professional contexts outside the classroom.
  5. 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:

FYS 100First Year Seminar

1 credit

Communication Core Required Courses - (25 credits)

CM 101Public Speaking

3 credits

CM 115Interpersonal Communication

3 credits

or

CM 211Intercultural Communication

3 credits

CM 205Communication Ethics

3 credits

CM 255Small Group 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 490Communication Capstone

3 credits

Business Core Required Courses - 12 credits

MGT 204Principles of Management

3 credits

MKT 206Principles of Marketing

3 credits

MKT 311Consumer Behavior

3 credits

Select one of the following:

MKT 208Introduction to Digital Marketing

3 credits

or

MKT 210Strategic Marketing Communication

3 credits

or

SOD 395The Mill Agency

3 credits

Design Core Required Courses - 9 credits

GDES 125Fundamentals of Digital Media

3 credits

GDES 270Introduction to Corporate Communication Design

3 credits

PHOTO 141Basic Digital Photography

3 credits

Internship - Variable Credits

SOD 390Internship

Variable credits

Technology Core Requirements - Choose 3 credits from the following.

ENG 256Introduction to Digital Publishing

3 credits

GDES 208Web Design I

3 credits

IS 135Computer Applications for Business

3 credits

IS 260Presentation Theory and Application

3 credits

Writing Core Options - Choose 9 credits - ALL classes also serve as approved electives.

CM 236Communication Research and Writing

3 credits

CM 253/ENG 253Journalism I

3 credits

CM 254/ENG 254Journalism II

3 credits

CM 305/ENG 305Journalism Practicum

3 credits

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

Program Elective Options - Choose 6 credits

CM 120Human Communication

3 credits

CM 206Listening and Communication

3 credits

CM 235Media and Society

3 credits

CM 260Business and Professional 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 315Communication Theory

3 credits

CM 331Nonverbal Communication

3 credits

CM 380The Advertising Campaign

3 credits

CM 402Special Topics in Communication

3 credits

CM 440Persuasion Theory

3 credits

CM 445Communication and Leadership

3 credits

CM 460Communicating Identities

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 315Sports Marketing

3 credits

MKT 316Principles of Negotiation and Sales

3 credits

MKT 325International Marketing

3 credits

Other courses as approved by advisor and academic program administrator.

Suggested Course Sequence

2024-25 SCS Business Communication

Minor in 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 is available. For more information on this program, see the Stevenson University Graduate Catalog.

Course Descriptions

See Communications Course Descriptions