The online B.S. in Professional Communication prepares you for work in today’s complex information-based economy and media-driven culture.
Credit Hours: 120 | Transfer: Up to 90 Credits | Tuition Cost
What is the Business and Strategic Communication Option in Professional Communication?
The Bachelor of Science in Professional Communication builds skills in analytical thinking, compelling writing, effective persuasion, and clear expression to prepare graduates to work in an information-based economy and to be engaged citizens of a media-driven culture. The major is well-suited to students interested in careers or further studies in such areas as public relations, public service, nonprofit advocacy, and corporate communications. Courses provide students the opportunity to study fundamental theory and multiple sectors of practice in the discipline of communication and to prepare to contribute to public and private enterprises that consistently need to convey messages effectively, manage information appropriately, and respond ethically and effectively to opportunities and to crises.
Why study the Business and Strategic Communication Option in Professional Communication at UNH College of Professional Studies?
The B.S. in Professional Communication prepares you for work in today’s complex information-based economy and media-driven culture. Strong and effective communication skills are an invaluable asset in any industry. Advance your knowledge in public relations, public service, nonprofit advocacy, and corporate communications. You’ll develop analytical thinking skills that will help you craft and deliver effective messages through written, spoken, and digital channels. You’ll learn to use communications best practices to help organizations respond to both opportunities and threats. Our option in Business and Strategic Communication offers specialized training in how to define, promote, enhance, and manage an organization's external image. Key areas of focus include managerial communication, presentations, and leadership.
Potential Career Areas
- Advertising and Promotions Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Public Relations Specialist
- Technical Writer
- Writer and Author
- Media Programming Director
- Legislative Assistant
Course Highlights
- Communication Theory
- Visual Media Production
- Persuasive Communication
- Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics
- Visual Communication
- Media and Strategic Communication
- Professional Communication
- Communication for Training and Performance Improvement
- …and more!
Why UNH CPS?
- Regionally accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, Inc. (NECHE).
- Available fully online with select on-campus courses.
- Affordable tuition.
- Nationally ranked online programs.
- About 89% of our students are transfer students. Making the most of your transfer credits is our specialty.
- Career advising is available to all students and alumni. We also extend this service to those considering their college options.
- Faculty who are subject matter experts and share their real-world expertise, helping you apply what you learn to your personal goals and career.
- We’re experts at assessing credit toward your undergraduate degree – not only from previous college coursework, but also for other college-level knowledge demonstrated outside the traditional classroom.
Whether you completed your associate degree or took a few courses, we have experience working with community college students nationwide and we are experts at maximizing your transfer credits. We are proud of our formal partnerships to support community college graduates through our Transfer Pathways.
Students pursuing an associate degree at a New Hampshire community college are encouraged to explore our Transfer Pathway below.
- Completion of our free, online application for admission
- High school diploma, completion of a high school education in a homeschool setting under state law, or demonstrate high school equivalency.
- Successful completion of one of the following exams will be required for demonstrating high school equivalency: the GED, HiSET, or TASC
Get started by connecting with an advisor.
An advisor trained in our professional communication program will contact you to learn more about your academic and career goals.
We’ll also share our course schedule so you can read more about the College’s programs, students, and faculty.
Curriculum & Requirements
This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH CPS Online undergraduate students should develop individual academic plans with their academic advisor during their first year at UNH.
Sample Course Sequence
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| COM 440 | Persuasive Communication | 4 |
| ENG 420 | The Writing Process | 4 |
| General Education Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| COM 465 | Communication Theory | 2 |
| MTH 402 or MTH 504 or MTH 510 | Math for Our World or Statistics or Pre-Calculus | 4 |
| COM 480 | Visual Communication | 4 |
| CRIT 501 | Introduction to Critical Inquiry | 4 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COM 460 | Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics | 4 |
| COM 590 | Professional Communication | 4 |
| General Education Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| COM 665 | Media and Strategic Communication | 4 |
| MGMT 566 or LD 660 or HUMN 480 or HRM 580 or HRM 635 or COM 707 | Organizational Behavior or Leadership Theory or Introduction to Ethics or Change Management or Managing Conflict or Communication for Training and Performance Improvement | 2 or 4 |
| Genearal Education Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 14-16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CRIT 602 | Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking | 4 |
| COM 765 | Strategic Communication | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| LD 600 | Becoming an Effective Leader | 4 |
| COM 670 | Advanced Visual Communication | 4 |
| LD 660 or COM 707 or MGMT 566 or HUMN 480 or HRM 580 or HRM 635 | Leadership Theory or Communication for Training and Performance Improvement or Organizational Behavior or Introduction to Ethics or Change Management or Managing Conflict | 2 or 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 14-16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| IDIS 601A or IDIS 601B or IDIS 601C | Interdisciplinary Seminar: Being Happy or Interdisciplinary Seminar: Business of Beer or Interdisciplinary Seminar: Paranormal Activities | 4 |
| COM 660 | Leveraging AI in Workplace Communication | 4 |
| COM 710 | Managerial Communication | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| COM 797 | Integrative Capstone: Project in Professional Communication | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Total Credits | 120-124 | |
Degree Requirements
General Education Program Requirements
A minimum grade of D- is required in all General Education coursework. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor and General Education requirements with only 8 credits overlapped between the Major and Minor.
All General Education requirements must be taken prior to the capstone.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 420 | The Writing Process | 4 |
| COM 460 | Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics | 4 |
| COM 480 | Visual Communication | 4 |
| CRIT 501 | Introduction to Critical Inquiry | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
MTH 402 | Math for Our World | |
MTH 504 | Statistics | |
MTH 510 | Pre-Calculus | |
| Knowledge of Human Behavior & Social Systems | 4 | |
| Knowledge of the Physical & Natural World | 4 | |
| Knowledge of Human Thought & Expression | 4 | |
| CRIT 602 | Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking | 4 |
| IDIS 601A | Interdisciplinary Seminar: Being Happy | 4 |
| or IDIS 601B | Interdisciplinary Seminar: Business of Beer | |
| or IDIS 601C | Interdisciplinary Seminar: Paranormal Activities | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
Writing Program Requirements
All bachelor's degree candidates are required to complete four writing intensive courses as part of the University Writing Program Requirements as follows:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
ENG 420 | The Writing Process | |
One Writing Intensive course in the Major | ||
One Writing Intensive course at the 600-level or above | ||
One Additional Writing Intensive Course | ||
Writing Intensive courses are identified with the label "Writing Intensive Course" in the "Attributes" section of the course description and/or a W following the course number.
Major Requirements
Prior to capstone enrollment, students are expected to complete all General Education program requirements. Students should consult with their advisor regarding specific major courses that may be completed with their capstone. Refer to the Degree Plan for a sample course sequence. Academic Advisor approval is required for registration to be processed.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major in Professional Communication | ||
| Foundation Courses | ||
| COM 440 | Persuasive Communication | 4 |
| COM 460 | Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics | 4 |
| COM 465 | Communication Theory | 2 |
| COM 480 | Visual Communication | 4 |
| COM 560 | Intercultural Communication | 2 |
| or COM 562 | Gender and Communication | |
| Intermediate Courses | ||
| COM 590 | Professional Communication | 4 |
| COM 665 | Media and Strategic Communication | 4 |
| COM 670 | Advanced Visual Communication | 4 |
| Advanced Courses | ||
| COM 765 | Strategic Communication | 4 |
| Option in Business and Strategic Communication | ||
| COM 660 | Leveraging AI in Workplace Communication | 4 |
| COM 675 | Organizational Communication | 4 |
| COM 710 | Managerial Communication | 4 |
| LD 600 | Becoming an Effective Leader | 4 |
| Select two of the following: | 8 | |
COM 707 | Communication for Training and Performance Improvement | |
HRM 580 | Change Management | |
HRM 635 | Managing Conflict | |
HUMN 480 | Introduction to Ethics | |
LD 660 | Leadership Theory | |
MGMT 566 | Organizational Behavior | |
| Integrative Capstone | ||
| COM 797 | Integrative Capstone: Project in Professional Communication | 4 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Electives
Open electives are courses students will need to take in addition to their general education and major requirements in order to satisfy the remaining credit totals for their programs. Open electives are defined as any credit course offered by the College not already included in the student's general education, major, option or minor. Students will need 120 credits total to graduate with a bachelor's degree from the Online Division of the College of Professional Studies.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Survey foundational theories of communication relating to individuals, groups, and mass media.
- Create and deploy distinct messages suited to specific audiences and situations, in written, verbal, and digital formats.
- Compose, design, and deliver targeted and engaging presentations.
- Identify and respond to complex communication practices and challenges within organizations, and effect strategic improvements thereto.
- Analyze and critique rhetorical strategies and communication methods specific to cultural and industry norms.
- Employ an understanding of the impact of cultural differences on communication in a global context.
- Integrate individual reflection on questions of ethics and citizenship, particularly in digital contexts, to include the personal and professional ramifications of netiquette, digital footprint, and digital citizenship.
- Demonstrate aptitude with research methods, both quantitative and qualitative, as these inform and are applied in the field of professional communication.
- Develop specialized knowledge and skill in a specific aspect or professional practice within professional communication.
Your Prior and Current Learning Counts
Many of our students can demonstrate college-level knowledge gained from military, workplace and volunteer-based training, and experiences. We are experts at helping students demonstrate learning and earning academic credit.
Career Outcomes
Talk with your advisor to discuss how your program, experience, and goals align.