Bachelor of Arts in Communications - Minnesota

Degree Overview
Course List
Program Location

Grand Canyon University‛s Bachelor of Arts in Communication develops leaders in the fields of communication and media. A communication degree is a values-based liberal arts foundation that focuses on how to take information and convert it to a compelling message that is helpful to a particular audience. If you possess strong verbal and writing skills, this program may be ideal.

Effective communication is the cornerstone in all business situations. Students receiving a communication degree may be suited for a variety of career opportunities. Traditionally, students graduating with a communication degree have been interested in media-related jobs including journalism roles in newspaper or magazines, on-air talent on television or radio, working in a public relations firm, or writing roles within a marketing department. Students today are also finding a communication degree helpful when pursuing a career in digital media including blogging, creating a social media network, or working for a non-profit or special interest group.

After understanding the practice of communication as it relates to influencing attitude and behavior change, students will develop their own voice in their writing and storytelling, critical components to effective communication. The bachelor‛s degree in communications also included a study of ethical thinking, the principles of public relations, and how to promote positive communication across cultural differences.

Course List

Course #	Course Title	Course Description	Credits
COM-126	Communications and the Media	This course is a study of media history and theory with an emphasis on the implications and impact of mass messages on meaning, culture, and society.	4
COM-151	History and Criticism of Visual Media	This course presents the history of visual art and its connection and influence on modern media. Students gain an artistic vocabulary by becoming familiar with many kinds of visual art, developing their skills in visual analysis, increasing their understanding of aesthetic theory, and applying that understanding in presentations. Prerequisite: COM-126.	4
COM-231	Persuasive Theory	This course is a study of the theory and practice of communication as it relates to influencing attitude and behavioral change. The course begins by presenting a historical overview of persuasive theory from its classical beginnings and progresses to analyzing persuasive strategies and their use by contemporary practitioners. Examples for analysis are taken from advertising, public relations, religion, sales, politics, and propaganda.	4
PHI-305	Ethical Thinking in the Liberal Arts	This course considers the role that ethical thinking plays in the liberal arts. Topics are set in historic, literary, artistic, political, philosophical, religious, social, and scientific perspectives. The impact and contributions of leaders in these fields are also considered.	4
COM-302	Writing for the Media	This course is a study of the content, styles, and formats of media writing, with an emphasis on the differences in writing across diverse media modalities.	4
COM-311	Principles of Public Relations	This course presents an overview of the theory and practice of public relations, media relations, promotion, research, and campaigns, as well as an application of theory, through problem solving and case study.	4
COM-315	Intercultural Communications	This course creates an awareness of the skills necessary to promote positive communication and relationships across cultural differences. Students explore verbal and nonverbal communication behaviors. Other cultures are explored through an examination of demographics, family structure, religion, politics, education, social life, art, and literature.	4
COM-321	Public Relations Writing and Design	This course is a study of planning, producing, and evaluating written public relations messages for and from a variety of media, including print, broadcast, and the Web. Student writing assignments include news releases, newsletters, public service announcements, coverage memos, position papers, background papers, reports, and proposals.	4
COM-331	Visual Media and Storytelling	This course focuses on the elements that make up almost all storytelling. Students are encouraged to discover and develop their unique voices as writers and storytellers, while understanding the critical importance of working as part of a creative team. This course emphasizes the use of traditional storytelling, classic mythology, and the ways in which these devices apply to contemporary media.	4
COM-435	Consumer Communications and Behavior	This course provides an integrated marketing communications perspective for today‛s changing world as well as a behavioral science approach that studies distinct buyer strategies and decision-making processes of purchase by consumers. Topics include external and internal influences on today‛s buyers, purchase and postpurchase processes, customer satisfaction, customer commitment, branding and positioning, creative strategies, media strategies, distribution strategies, and integrated marketing communications.	4
COM-445	Communication Issues and Critical Thinking	This course provides a capstone, or practicum, for the communications student that facilitates the practical application of historical and modern communications styles across modalities in language that is industry-specific. The course emphasizes the ethical and social responsibility of communications in real-world situations.	4
Required Course Total Credit:			44

General Education Requirements:	44
Courses:	44 credits
Open Elective Credits:	32 credits
Total Degree Requirements:	120 credits

This program is offered in the following formats or locations:

Online

An online education allows you the flexibility to fulfill your educational goals without distracting you from your career. Full-time faculty members support our online students while our dynamic tools allow for engaging and challenging discussions with classmates. Classes start every month.

Program Disclosure

Category	Non-Traditional	Traditional
Books & Supplies (Per Program)	$2,600	$3,750
Tuition & Fees (Per Program)	$56,350	$68,150
Room & Board (Per Semester, If Applicable)	$3,434
On Time Graduation Rate	91%	100%
Median Private Loan Debt	$0	N/A
Median TIV Loan Debt	$29,373	$12,896
Median Institutional Financing Plan Debt	N/A	N/A

Program SOC

Occupations

Communications Teachers, Postsecondary

Public Address System and Other Announcers

Public Relations Specialists

Technical Writers

Copy Writers

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Actors

Broadcast News Analysts

Desktop Publishers

Editors

Reporters and Correspondents

Producers

Writers and Authors

It is the policy of the University to collect and remit sales, use, excise and/or gross receipts taxes in compliance with state and local taxing jurisdiction regulations which require the University to remit tax where applicable. These regulations vary by location. Please note: It is also the policy of the University to require payment of sales, use, excise, and/or gross receipts tax. Payment of tax is ultimately the student's financial responsibility to the University regardless of financing arrangements. Per Hawaii requirements: It is hereby stated that students residing in the State of Hawaii will be charged Hawaii General Excise Tax on all transactions. Students living in the District of Oahu will be charged 4.5%. Students residing in other Hawaii districts will be charged 4.0%.
Book costs are based on an average. Costs may increase or decrease depending on electronic availability or publisher's book costs.
Room and board costs may be higher or lower depending on housing and meal plan choice. This number is based on an average for students on campus.
Some Non-Traditional programs may be offered on the ground campus or on-line.
N/A identifies that a program is not offered in that modality or that fewer than 10 students graduated within the reported timeframe.
Tuition and Fees for each program are based on current rates. Future Tuition and Fee Rates may vary. Tuition was calculated using the number of credit hours in the program times the current tuition rate and includes the Graduation Fee. Full time students enrolled at a program taken at the main campus include a Student Activity Fee, charged every semester. Online programs include a one time Learning Management Fee. Some programs may also include additional fees based on course materials.
On-time graduation rates and median loan debt are based on students who graduated in the 2011-2012 award year.
Not all GCU programs are available in all states and in all learning modalities.
Program availability is contingent on student enrollment.

Disclosure Information

* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.