School of Professional Studies

Bachelor of Arts in Communication

One of the prime attractions of earning a major in Communication is the versatility of career opportunities that exist for Communication graduates. Public relations, journalism, advertising, corporate training, sales, management, and politics are just a sample of careers available to graduates.

Transcending all industries and careers is the demand for responsible and effective communication skills. As a Communication student, you will learn to communicate effectively and critically analyze the communicative behavior of others.

Managers consistently rank being able to communicate effectively as the most important factor in their hiring decisions. The importance of communicating effectively begins prior to your first job interview and follows you throughout your entire professional career. Our Communication major follows a generalist approach to the discipline of communication, offering classes with interpersonal, intercultural, professional, and organizational focuses.

Communication is something that is all around us. In fact, communication is one of the most important aspects of humanity. Humankind’s natural ability to communicate is what differentiates us from other living things. It is what allows us, for better or worse, to transform our world to match our needs. Language allows us to communicate quickly and accurately, and recent technological advancements, such as the Internet and cellular phones, have made our world even “smaller.” These advancements have helped transform our economy to a global one, making it all the more important to understand cultural differences in communication styles.

Features of the program include:

• Connecting the classroom to the world through experiential learning
• Learning in student-centered classroom environments with small classes and personalized learning
• Applying communication theory into practical knowledge through case studies and seminar-style discussions
• Providing a generalist approach to the field of Communication, including professional, intercultural, interpersonal, organizational, and media components
• Completing courses in eight week modules that meet only once per week

New classes begin every eight weeks and meet at convenient times for working professionals. Because we understand that many students are attempting to combine family, work, and study, we offer day and evening classes that generally meet once a week. To assist with tuition expenses, financial aid is available.

Degree Requirements:

The Bachelor’s Degree in Communication includes general education courses, prerequisite courses, and major courses. All courses are offered at George Williams College.

Communication Major Courses:

Required Courses: 15 Semester Hours

• COM1500 Human Communication/Public Speaking (3)
• COM2400 Computer Technology and Communications (3)
• COM3500 Cross Cultural Communication (3)
• COM4000 Critical and Theoretical Perspectives in Communication (3)
• COM4990 Senior Seminar in Communication (3)

Selected Courses: Choose 15 semester hours

• COM 2300 Introduction to American Film (3)
• COM 2800 Mass Communication and the American Culture (3)
• COM 3000 Organizational Communication (3)
• COM 3200 Persuasion (3)
• COM 3510 Corporate and Professional Communication (3)
• COM 3600 Media Technology for Corporate Settings (3)

Total Credits in Major: 30

Total Credits Required for Bachelor of Arts Degree: 120 semester hours

NOTE: A minimum of 52 semester hours must be completed at the senior college level.

Additional Information:

• Community College Transfer Guides
• Communication Application Requirements
• Online Undergraduate Application (Secure page)
• Transcript Request Form
• Communication Course Descriptions
• Online Undergraduate Catalog
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - clicking on this link will take you off the AU website
• GWC Faculty/Staff Directory