Communications, B.A.

The undergraduate major in Communications prepares students to achieve success in the field of professional communications. The Communications major provides the skill sets necessary for working in the following areas of contemporary communications: community relations and activism, nonprofit communications, social media, writing for the web, business writing, persuasive writing, public relations, conflict management, organizational communications, creative writing, public speaking, and presentation. The Communications major also provides a foundation for graduate studies in Communications, Marketing, Business, Writing, Behavioral Science, and Public Relations.

The program is offered in both fully-online and blended formats.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

At the completion of the program, students will be able to:

PLO1. Demonstrate competence in effective oral, written, visual, and digital communication skills necessary in a world of professional communication.

PLO2. Articulate and critically analyze theoretical, cultural, historical, and practical frameworks of communications.

PLO3. Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.

PLO4. Identify and execute legal, ethical, and professional communication practices.

PLO5. Demonstrate competencies in strategies and skills for constructing, thinking critically, and delivering effective messages across multiple forms of media and communications channels.

PLO6. Apply theory and practical skills in a constantly changing social, political, economic and technological society.

PLO7. Demonstrate techniques for success in global environment characterized by intercultural, multigenerational understanding and diversity.

Program Details:

Requires 180 QH including 60 QH of General Education for completion
Requires a minimum grade of “C” in all major courses as well as ENG 101 and ENG 201
Credit for Prior Learning may be accepted for general education, elective credit and as determined appropriate by the faculty, toward major requirements
Students may complete any minor or concentration that is not in the same area of study as their program major. Students must consult with their Academic Advisor to select a minor or concentration that best fits their career and personal goals.

Required Courses

Research Methods

RES 200

Research, Writing, and Analysis

Note: RES 200 is required for students completing a fully-online program.

Communications - 15QH

ENG 101	Beginning English Composition	5
ENG 201	Intermediate English	5
ENG 203	Effective Speaking for the Undergraduate	5

Humanities and Fine Arts - 15QH

ART 101	Art Appreciation	5
HIS 103	History Across the Globe	5
PHI 107	Ethics, Logic and Critical Inquiry	5

Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any general education course in humanities and fine arts, in addition to another course in humanities or fine arts.

Quantitative Reasoning - 5QH

MTH 101

Introduction to Mathematical Concepts

Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any college-level mathematics course.

Physical and Life Sciences - 10QH

SCI 101	Physical Science	5
	and
SCI 102	Survey of Biological Science with Lab	5
	or
SCI 225	Human Impact on Environment	5

Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use one course in any physical science and one course in any life science.

Social and Behavioral Sciences - 15QH

Choose two Social Science courses from the list below:

ECO 200	Macroeconomics for Today's Professional	5
HIS 102	Civics and American Government	5
SOC 101	Foundational Sociology	5
SOC 222	Culture and Identity	5
	and
PSY 101	Introduction to Psychology	5

Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any general education course in social and behavioral sciences.

Additional General Education Requirements

Students must complete GEN 103 and one of the following course options:

Pathways Students

GEN 210	Think Global-Perspectives from the Field	3 TO 5
	and
BRV 200	Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator	5
	or
CAR 214	Creating and Communicating the Professional Brand	5
	and
BRV 201	Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator: Capstone Challenge	2
	or
CAR 217	Workplace Leadership	2

Transfer Students

CAR 202	Creating Professional Identity	2
CAR 203	You The Professional	0 TO 2

Note: GEN 103 may be waived for on-campus students who (1) enter NLU with an associate’s degree or 90 or more quarter credit hours of transfer credit; and (2) have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or above in their previous undergraduate studies. GEN 210 is required for Pathways students only.

Gateway Courses

COM 104	Evolution of Mass Media	5
COM 105	Introduction to Communication	5

Core Courses

COM 200	The Influence of Culture on Communication	5
COM 204	Multigenerational Workforce Communication	5
COM 205	Social Media Networking	5
COM 206	Professional Writing	5
COM 207	Contemporary Media Communications	5
COM 306	Organizational Communication and Conflict Management	5
COM 307	Civic and Community Communications	5
COM 406	Public Relations in Contemporary Society	5
CAR 490	Internship Practicum	5

Capstone Course

COM 499

Capstone in Applied Communications

Electives

Choose additional courses to total 180 QH. These hours may be satisfied by completing any minor or concentration in consultation with your Academic Advisor.