Bachelor in Communication Carroll University

You’re already a communicator. You text, photograph, stream, chat, talk, and listen. How can you do each more effectively? How can you turn them into marketable skills? Employers in every sector say the top skills they are looking for in new employees are: competent and confident speaking, skilled and detail-oriented writing, and excellent leadership in team environments.

Communication skills and understanding are vital in every part of your personal and professional life. Advertising, journalism, and public relations are the more obvious careers associated with a communication degree, but the skills you’ll develop in this program will make you better at learning to create shared meaning, and that’s essential to success in every career imaginable. Whether you’re chasing down a story, managing a business, running for office, or heading off to graduate school, being a more effective communicator provides you with an edge.

Carroll University’s communication program will help you develop your writing, speaking, research, and intercultural communication skills. You’ll gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience through coursework, internships, and opportunities to participate in campus organizations. Your education in these core skills will make you a more effective writer, speaker, and leader.

You may choose to focus your studies in one of three areas: journalism, public relations, or relational communication. You can also have a pre-physical therapy emphasis while completing the communication major—you’ll work with your advisor to fill out your interests with health communication and other courses. Furthermore, many students complement their communication major with a second major, and most are able to do it within four years. Double majors in business, graphic communication, psychology, and theater arts are common.

The flexibility of the communication major allows students the opportunity to study abroad during their junior year in countries such as England, Hong Kong, and Belgium. In addition, the communication program offers cross-cultural experience classes both domestically and internationally which fulfill the university’s immersion requirement. Departmental offerings include a three-week intercultural communication class in Thailand and a two-week tour of Appalachia to discover the cultural distinctiveness of this region of the U.S.

Tracks/Minors

While all communication majors take the same four core courses, the following tracks are groupings of suggested courses based on career aspirations. In addition to the major, Carroll also offers communication minors that complement many areas of study.

• Journalism Track
• Public Relations Track
• Relational Communication Track
• Liberal Arts Communication Minor

Upon successful completion of major requirements, students are expected to demonstrate:

• An understanding of the theories and principles of human communication that will facilitate their professional and personal effectiveness.
• Skill in responsible and sensitive communication with diverse others.
• The ability to conduct systematic inquiry skillfully.
• The ability to develop and convey oral and written messages effectively.

Our majors pursue careers in:

• Business
• Public relations/advertising
• Journalism
• Nonprofit
• Media
• Government
• Law
• Education

Our graduates are employed at organizations such as:

• Boelter + Lincoln Advertising Agency
• Falk Corporation
• CUNA Mutual Insurance
• MillerCoors
• Mercy Home for Boys and Girls
• Department of Veterans Affairs
• RTC Relationship Marketing
• Banta Global Turnkey
• Basin Water Inc.
• The Knot Inc.
• Off the Record Research

Types of employers for communication graduates:

• Corporations
• Media/PR and marketing firms
• Nonprofit organizations
• Freelance
• Retail
• Hospitality
• Government agencies
• Law firms
• Educational institutions

Example job titles of graduates with a bachelor’s degree in communication:

• Marketing assistant
• Communications specialist
• Public relations associate
• Sales assistant
• Event coordinator
• Talent acquisition specialist
• Social media coordinator

Bachelor of Arts

Core Courses

• COM 101 - Principles of Communication 4 Hour(s)
• COM 150 - Research Methodology 4 Hour(s)
• COM 207 - Intercultural Communication 4 Hour(s)
• COM 499 - Senior Capstone Seminar 4 Hour(s)

Communication Major B.A. (40 Credit Hours)

Core courses plus four additional 4-credit 100- or 200-level courses in Communication

Two of the Following 300-Level Courses in Communication

• COM 317 - Communication Criticism 4 Hour(s)
• COM 319 - Communication Theory 4 Hour(s)
• COM 350 - Communication Law 4 Hour(s)
• COM 370 - Communication Technology and Society 4 Hour(s)

Completion of a Modern Language Through 202

For primary majors, this Modern Language requirement is in addition to the minimal Bachelor of Arts language requirement.

Bachelor of Arts Requirements

The requirements for a Bachelor of Arts are:

• Students must take 8 credits in the same modern language (MLL) other than English, this does not include American Sign Language. Carroll University will accept a total of 8 transferred credits from another college/university as long as all 8 credits are completed in the same language.
• **International students who have English as their second language should contact the Registrar concerning the Modern Language requirement.
• MAT 106 - Mathematics for the Liberal Arts 4 Hour(s) or higher
• ENG 170 - Writing Seminar 4 Hour(s)
• Degree requirements cannot be waived.

Note: Each Major may have specific course sequencing requirements. For specific requirements, see “Required Support Courses” within each Major.

Suggested Tracks

• Communication Major - Media Track
• Public Relations Track
• Relational Track

Bachelor of Science

Core Courses

• COM 101 - Principles of Communication 4 Hour(s)
• COM 150 - Research Methodology 4 Hour(s)
• COM 207 - Intercultural Communication 4 Hour(s)
• COM 499 - Senior Capstone Seminar 4 Hour(s)

Core courses plus four additional 4-credit 100- or 200-level courses in Communication

• CMP 112 - Computational Thinking I 4 Hour(s)
• CMP 114 - Computational Thinking II - Statistical Analysis Emphasis 4 Hour(s)

Two of the Following 300-Level Courses in Communication

• COM 317 - Communication Criticism 4 Hour(s)
• COM 319 - Communication Theory 4 Hour(s)
• COM 350 - Communication Law 4 Hour(s)
• COM 370 - Communication Technology and Society 4 Hour(s)

Bachelor of Science Requirements

The requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree are:

• CMP 112 - Computational Thinking I 4 Hour(s)
• CMP 114 - Computational Thinking II - Statistical Analysis Emphasis 4 Hour(s) or
• MAT 140 - Calculus and Its Applications 4 Hour(s) or higher
• CSC 110 - Problem-Solving through Programming 4 Hour(s) or higher
• ENG 170 - Writing Seminar 4 Hour(s)
• Degree requirements cannot be waived.

Note: Each Major may have specific course sequencing requirements. For specific requirements, see “Required Support Courses” within each Major.

Suggested Tracks in the Communication Major

• Communication Major - Media Track
• Public Relations Track
• Relational Track

Internships

We help you build real-world experience, explore careers, and network with professionals through internship opportunities. Recent placements include the following companies:

• ABC News
• Milwaukee County Zoological Society
• Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
• The Milwaukee Bucks
• Chicago Blackhawks
• Clear Channel Outdoor
• Rogers Memorial Hospital
• Midwest Whitetail Magazine