Applied Communications, B.A.

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

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

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):

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 a minor or concentration, listed below

Minors:

Concentration:

Required Courses

Research Methods

RES 200Research, Writing, and Analysis

1

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

Communications - 15QH

ENG 101Beginning English Composition

5

ENG 201Intermediate English Composition

5

ENG 203Effective Speaking for the Undergraduate

5

Humanities and Fine Arts - 15QH

ART 101Basic Art Appreciation

5

HIS 103History Across the Globe

5

PHI 107Ethics, 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 or fine arts.

Quantitative Reasoning - 5QH

MTH 101Introduction to Mathematical Concepts

5

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

One course must have a lab:

SCI 101Physical Science

5

and

SCI 102Survey of Biological Science with Lab

5

or

SCI 225Human 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 200Macroeconomics for Today’s Professional

5

HIS 102Civics and American Government

5

SOC 101Foundational Sociology

5

SOC 222Culture and Identity

5

and

PSY 101Introduction 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 210Think Global-Perspectives from the Field

3 TO 5

BRV 200Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator

5

or

CAR 215Personal Branding

3

and

CAR 216Professional Networking

2

BRV 201Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator: Capstone Challenge

2

or

CAR 217Workplace Leadership

2

Transfer Students

CAR 202Creating Professional Identity

2

CAR 203You 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 104Evolution of Mass Media

5

COM 105Introduction to Communication

5

Core Courses

COM 200The Influence of Culture on Communication

5

COM 204Multigenerational Workforce Communication

5

COM 205Social Media Networking

5

COM 206Professional Writing

5

COM 207Contemporary Media Communications

5

COM 306Organizational Communication and Conflict Management

5

COM 404Legal and Ethical Communications

5

COM 406Public Relations in Contemporary Society

5

BUS 490Internship in Business

2 TO 5

Note: BUS 490 must be taken for 5 quarter hours. 

Capstone Course

COM 499Capstone in Applied Communications

5

Electives

Choose additional courses to total 180 QH. These hours may be satisfied by completing the minors and/or concentrations listed above.

For more information about this program, visit  http://www.nl.edu/academics/communicationsbachelors/baappliedcommunications/