Plan of Study – Career Communication

Note: A Semester Hour (s.h.) is a unit of academic credit representing an hour of class (such as lecture class) or three hours of laboratory work each week for an academic semester. Most courses are two, three or four semester hours.

Career Communication: Cert Comp

Career Communication: Certificate of Completion

Certificate Courses (Minimum of 18 semester hours required.)

COM 1050 Communication Concepts and Contexts (3 s.h.)

Principles of communication applied to interpersonal, group, and public speaking situations. Emphasis on verbal and nonverbal communication, listening, persuasive techniques, delivery, and responding to messages. Opportunity to practice speaking skills.

COM 2140 Argumentation and Persuasion (3 s.h.)

The study of argument as a process of inquiry and advocacy and the communicative means to change attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, as well as motivate people to action. Practical experience in: evidence, analysis and reasoning; organization and case-building; refutation and cross-examination; and audience analysis. Students apply theory to a variety of topics and contexts.

COM 2350 Public Speaking: Theory and Practice (3 s.h.)

Focus on the building of public speaking skills needed in education, personal life, and careers in order to effectively communicate thoughts and feelings. Students evaluate the communication efforts of others and increase their critical listening skills.

COM 3100 Small Group Communication (3 s.h.)

An analysis of communication interaction in small groups. Addresses group formation, decision making strategies, roles and norms, leadership, and conflict management. Students participate in classroom groups and evaluate group performance.

Electives (Minimum of 6 semester hours required. Choose from: JRN 1320, JRN 2050, WRT 2440, WRT 3260, and COM/JRN 3910/4910.)

JRN 1320 News Reporting (JRN*/WRT) (3 s.h.)

Organization of the modern news organization; news values and news sources; structure of the news story; practical training in gathering and writing news stories for print and digital distribution.

JRN 2050 Public Relations Writing (3 s.h.)

Acquaints student with functions of public relations in our society and explains basic theories and principles in publicity writing and placement.

WRT 2440 Technical Writing (3 s.h.)

Theory and application of technical writing principles. Topics include an introduction to the technical communication environment, ethical and legal considerations, the basics of writing and analyzing technical documents, collaborative writing, and design principles for documents and Web sites. Students create a variety of technical documents for inclusion in their final e-portfolios. Prerequisite: WRT 1020 or equivalent.

WRT 3260 Business and Professional Writing (BUS/WRT*) (3 s.h.)

A study of the strategies and stylistic devices which lead to clear, concise, and complete business writing. Various types of business letters, memoranda, proposals, and reports are examined and developed. Prerequisite: WRT 1020.

COM 3910 Cooperative Education in Communication (1 s.h. (Not To Exceed 4 s.h.))

On-campus or on-the-job experience in communication. Prerequisite: departmental approval.

COM 4910 Cooperative Education in Communication (1 s.h. (Not To Exceed 3 s.h.))

On-campus or on-the-job experience in communication (paid). Prerequisite: departmental approval.

JRN 3910 Journalism/Public Relations Practicum/Cooperative Education (1 s.h. (Not To Exceed 4 s.h.))

On-campus or on-the-job experience in publications, publicity, or promotion work. One or more cooperative education experiences may substitute for the practicum. Prerequisite: JRN 1320, JRN 2860, and JRN 3570; or departmental approval.

JRN 4910 Journalism/Public Relations Practicum/Cooperative Education (1 s.h. (Not To Exceed 4 s.h.))