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 Visual Communication and Social media 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 Visual Communication and Social media 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. 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. In your courses, you’ll learn to use communications best practices to help organizations respond to both opportunities and threats. Our option in Visual Communication and Social Media focuses on effectively utilizing emerging trends in social media and other forms of visual communication to convey messages effectively, clearly, and quickly. Particular emphasis is given to the intersection of visual communication with the fields of marketing and advertising.
Potential Career Areas
- Social Media Manager
- Digital Media Planner
- Advertising and Promotions Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Public Relations Specialist
- Technical Writer
- Media Programming Director
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.
Students pursuing an associate degree at their local community college are encouraged to explore our Transfer Pathway! This resource lists the courses your associate degree should contain at your community college, as well as the remaining courses you’ll need to take at UNH College of Professional Studies to complete your bachelor’s degree!
View Your Transfer Pathway
- 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 |
| COM 480 | Visual Communication | 4 |
| CRIT 501 | Introduction to Critical Inquiry | 4 |
| MTH 402 or MTH 504 or MTH 510 | Math for Our World or Statistics or Pre-Calculus | 4 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COM 460 | Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics | 4 |
| COM 504 | Web Development I | 4 |
| COM 535 | Visual Media Production | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| COM 590 | Professional Communication | 4 |
| General Education Course | 4 | |
| General Education Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART 512 or CMPL 540 or CMPL 622 or COM 685 or MKT 510 or MKT 600 or MKT 720 | Fundamentals of Design or Best Practices in Website Design or Human Computer Interaction or Web Development II or Principles of Marketing or Social Media Marketing or Digital Advertising | 4 |
| COM 665 | Media and Strategic Communication | 4 |
| CRIT 602 | Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| COM 670 | Advanced Visual Communication | 4 |
| COM 707 | Communication for Training and Performance Improvement | 2 |
| COM 685 or ART 512 or CMPL 540 or MKT 510 or MKT 600 or MKT 720 | Web Development II or Fundamentals of Design or Best Practices in Website Design or Principles of Marketing or Social Media Marketing or Digital Advertising | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COM 680 | Trends in Digital and Social Media | 4 |
| IDIS 601 | Interdisciplinary Seminar | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| COM 797 | Integrative Capstone: Project in Professional Communication | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
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, including CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDIS 601 Interdisciplinary Seminar, 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 601 | Interdisciplinary Seminar | 4 |
| 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 the majority of their required major courses along with CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDIS 601 Interdisciplinary Seminar. Students should consult with their advisor regarding specific major courses that may be completed with their capstone. Academic Advisor approval is required for registration to be processed.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major in Professional Communication | ||
| Foundational 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 535 | Visual Media Production | 4 |
| Intermediate Courses | ||
| COM 590 | Professional Communication | 4 |
| COM 665 | Media and Strategic Communication | 4 |
| Advanced Courses | ||
| COM 707 | Communication for Training and Performance Improvement | 2 |
| Option in Visual Communication and Social Media | ||
| COM 504 | Web Development I | 4 |
| COM 680 | Trends in Digital and Social Media | 4 |
| COM 670 | Advanced Visual Communication | 4 |
| Select two of the following: | 8 | |
ART 512 | Fundamentals of Design | |
CMPL 540 | Best Practices in Website Design | |
CMPL 622 | Human Computer Interaction | |
COM 685 | Web Development II | |
MKT 510 | Principles of Marketing | |
MKT 600 | Social Media Marketing | |
MKT 720 | Digital Advertising | |
| Integrative Capstone | ||
| COM 797 | Integrative Capstone: Project in Professional Communication | 4 |
| Total Credits | 52 | |
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.
- 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.