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

General Education Requirements

Communications

The following courses are recommended:

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

Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any three general education courses in the following disciplines: academic writing, oral communications, and any course in the area of communications.

 

Humanities and Fine Arts

Choose two courses from the list below:

ART 101	Art Appreciation	5
ART 102	Art Appreciation I	2
ART 103	Art Appreciation II	3
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 two general education courses in the following disciplines:  

• Humanities: foreign language, history, literature, philosophy, religious studies, interdisciplinary humanities and fine arts, interdisciplinary humanities and social sciences

• Fine Arts: visual arts (including art history, art appreciation, and studio arts, such as drawing, painting, digital art, or film), film and cinema studies, and performing arts (including music appreciation, music theory, and music performance, theatre appreciation and performance, and dance) 

 

Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Choose three courses from the list below (one must be math and one must be a natural science):

MTH 101	Introduction to Mathematical Concepts	5
MTH 102	Statistical Foundations	5
MTH 105	Math for Educators I	5
MTH 115	Math for Educators II	5
SCI 101	Physical Science	5
SCI 102	Survey of Biological Science with Lab	5
SCI 225	Human Impact on Environment	5

Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any three general education courses in the following disciplines: 

• Mathematics: college-level and not developmental in nature
• Natural Sciences: physics, chemistry, earth science, astronomy, geology, physical geography, biology, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, genetics, botany and zoology; and interdisciplinary fields such as environmental science, and ecology and conservation
• Mathematics or Natural Sciences

 

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Choose two courses from the list below:

ECO 200	Macroeconomics for Today’s Professional	5
GEN 210	Think Global-Perspectives from the Field	3 TO 5
HIS 102	Civics and American Government	5
HIS 212	Think Global: Movements in US History and its Impact on Society and School	5
PSY 101	Introduction to Psychology	5
SOC 101	Foundational Sociology	5
SOC 204	Contemporary Chicago	5
SOC 222	Culture and Identity	5

Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any two general education courses in the area of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the following disciplines: anthropology, economics, geography, history, human geography, political science, psychology, sociology, interdisciplinary social/behavioral science, interdisciplinary humanities and social and behavioral science.

 

Program Specific General Education Requirements

ENG 101	Beginning English Composition	5
ENG 201	Intermediate English	5

Note: The courses above must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.

 

Additional General Education Requirements

GEN 103	Student Success Seminar	5
	or
GEN 203	NLU & You: Tools & Strategies for Student Success	3

Note: GEN 103 is required for the first-time freshman students only. Students transferring in less than 90 QH are required to complete GEN 203. 

Career Development Requirements

First-time Daytime Students

CAR 214	Creating and Communicating the Professional Brand	5
	or
BRV 200	Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator	5
	and
CAR 295	Career Service Learning	5
CAR 218	Internship Application Workshop	0

Note: CAR 218 may be waived for students who have an internship accepted in Handshake prior to Winter term of the junior year.

Transfer Students

BRV 200	Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator	5
	or
CAR 214	Creating and Communicating the Professional Brand	5
	or
CAR 202	Creating Professional Identity	0 TO 2
	and
CAR 203	You The Professional	3

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

Senior Portfolio in Communications

5

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.