Degrees & Course Descriptions

Applied Communication (BA, BS, Minor)

The Applied Communication major prepares graduates to produce professional written and oral communication. This program fosters the development of data literacy to drive informed ethical decision-making across diverse industries. The program emphasizes critical thinking, digital and media literacy, conflict and negotiation skills, and respect for intercultural perspectives in interpersonal and organizational contexts. Graduates from Applied Communication pursue careers in product and marketing management, advertising and professional writing, human resources, and training and development. Students are also prepared to pursue graduate school.   

Program Learning Outcomes


1.	Innovate creative solutions to relational, organizational, and public communication problems.
2.	Strategize messages tailored to specific audiences, purposes, and contexts.
3.	Analyze communication in personal, organizational, and social contexts.
4.	Articulate effective communication practices in personal and professional contexts.

In order to obtain a BA/BS in Applied Communication, students must complete 18 credits from the required core courses and a minimum of 18 elective credits within the major for a total of 36 credits.

Learn more about the courses offered in the Communication Department.

Applied Communication Major Core:

COMM 1020: Public Speaking

COMM 1050: Introduction to Communication (Pre-req for COMM 319G)

COMM 319G: Intercultural Communication Encounters (Pre-req for COMM 4930)

COMM 3020: Communication Research Methods

COMM 3050: Theories of Communication and Culture

COMM 4930: Communication Capstone

Applied Communication Minor Core:

COMM 1020: Public Speaking

COMM 1050: Introduction to Communication

COMM 3050: Theories of Communication and Culture

*To obtain a Minor in Applied Communication, students must complete 9 credits from the required core and a minimum of 9 elective credits, with 6 of those 9 credits being upper-division (3000-4000) level courses.

Suggested Electives:

COMM 1500: Introduction to Mass Communication

COMM 2110: Interpersonal Communication

COMM 2120: Small Group Decision Making

COMM 2140: Media Literacy

COMM 2270: Argumentation

COMM 2510: Visual Strategies for Communication Majors

COMM 317G: Ethnography

COMM 3040: Media Ethics

COMM 3120: Fundamentals of Social Media

COMM 3140: Social Media Content Strategy

COMM 350R: Special Topics (Varies by Semester)

COMM 3780: Mormons, Media, and Culture

COMM 4810: Communication and Social Behavior

COMM 481R: Internship

Public Relations and Strategic Communication (BA, BS, Minor)

The Public Relations and Strategic Communication major equips graduates to manage communication strategies, such as those used in digital and social media, product and brand, and crisis campaigns. The program provides opportunities to create, implement, and assess communication messages across platforms to build relationships between organizations and their audiences, including clients, consumers, employees, and the media. The engaged learning curriculum fosters innovation and leadership, ensuring students understand public relations strategies and analytics to develop comprehensive communication campaigns. Graduates pursue careers in public relations, government, media relations, event planning, social media and digital content marketing, and crisis management. Students are also prepared to pursue graduate school.   

Program Learning Outcomes

1.	Innovate creative solutions to relational, organizational, and public communication problems.
2.	Strategize messages tailored to specific audiences, purposes, and contexts.
3.	Communicate data to inform personal, professional, and organizational decision-making.
4.	Analyze communication in personal, organizational, and social contexts.
5.	Articulate effective communication practices in personal and professional contexts.

In order to obtain a BA/BS in Public Relations and Strategic Communication, students must complete 18 credits from the required core courses and a minimum of 18 elective credits within the major for a total of 36 credits.

Learn more about the courses offered in the Communication Department.

Public Relations and Strategic Communication Major Core:

COMM 2300: Introduction to Public Relations and Strategic Communication (Pre-req for COMM 3520)

COMM 3020: Communication Research Methods (Pre-req for COMM 3520)

COMM 3050: Theories of Communication and Culture

COMM 3520: Public Relations and Strategic Communication Case Studies (Pre-req for COMM 4850)

COMM 3530: Public Relations and Strategic Communication Writing

COMM 4850: Public Relations and Strategic Communication Campaigns

Public Relations and Strategic Communication Minor Core:

COMM 2300: Introduction to Public Relations and Strategic Communication

COMM 3530: Public Relations and Strategic Communication Writing

COMM 3520: Public Relations and Strategic Communication Case Studies

*To obtain a Minor in Public Relations and Strategic Communication, students must complete 9 credits from the required core and a minimum of 9 elective credits, with 6 of those 9 credits being upper-division (3000-4000) level courses.

Suggested Electives:

COMM 1500: Introduction to Mass Communication

COMM 2110: Interpersonal Communication

COMM 2140: Media Literacy

COMM 2270: Argumentation

COMM 2510: Visual Strategies for Communication Majors

COMM 3040: Media Ethics

COMM 3120: Fundamentals of Social Media

COMM 3140: Social Media Content Strategy

COMM 350R: Special Topics (Varies by Semester)

COMM 3540: Sports PR

COMM 3570: Crisis Communication