Communication, Bachelor of Science
(Students who plan to transfer a completed Associate's degree should review the Communication Completion Degree information below.)
A Degree for the 21st-Century
The Bachelor of Science degree in Communication provides students a choice of three concentrations: Digital Journalism, Public Relations and Strategic Communication, and Visual Communication, with embedded certificates: Technical Communication, Social Media, and Graphic Design. This multidisciplinary program draws upon courses from multiple colleges, providing students the expertise needed to develop highly desirable skills from the College of Technology in visual communication, digital publishing, and multimedia design, with classes from the College of Business in marketing and public relations and the College of Technology in technical and news writing, social media, communication theory, and media studies.
Program Philosophy and Objectives
This career-oriented program is practical in its approach rather than theoretical. It caters to the 21st-century Communications professional. It serves the new or veteran Communication practitioner and satisfies the Wilmington University mission by offering real-life skills that stimulate competitiveness in the variety of communication skills. The communication courses are taught by highly qualified faculty who are practitioners in the field. By utilizing the rich experience of actual communication practitioners, students are prepared to begin or continue their careers.
Students entering the degree program with a work background in a communication field may be considered for competency-based credit. Students new to the communication world have the advantage of earning college credit while working through our work-integrated learning program.
After completing their chosen course of study, which includes - depending on the concentration - a certificate in technical communication, social media, or graphic design, graduates of a Communication degree may find positions in a number of specialty areas in the communication field. These can include electronic publishing, graphic design, journalism, public relations, broadcasting, multimedia, social media, and public relations, as well as technical communication, public service, and more.
Students can specialize in:
Digital Journalism
Digital Journalism is a large and dynamic work arena where messages are created by professionals on behalf of an organization to efficiently and ethically deliver information to a target audience. Professionals in this field have strong strategic thinking and persuasive skills and are successful in disseminating information to an audience using a combination of information delivery formats, including print, broadcast, and digital. Digital Journalism provides a two-way interactive relationship between the consumer and the information provider. Professionals also know how to monitor an audience’s response in order to maintain a positive connection with that audience. Students in the Digital Journalism concentration sharpen their skills through practical experience inside and outside the classroom in preparation for an exciting and competitive 21st century job market.
This concentration includes an embedded undergraduate certificate in Technical Communication, including one course that offers training for an optional professional certification as Certified Professional Technical Communicator TM(CPTC TM). In addition, with an additional 15-18 free electives, students may add a second certificate of their choice, a minor, or, if meeting certain requirements, may elect to take an accelerated to master's degree option of two Master's of Science in Management Business Communication graduate courses.
Graduates of this concentration may find opportunities in corporate communication, technical communication, journalism, digital publishing, and more.
Public Relations and Strategic Communication
Public Relations and Strategic Communication is the crafting of recognizable and memorable marketing, advertising, and public relations messages using multiple media formats. The goal is to create a “brand” that is seamless to the customer. Whether the customer is being exposed to the message through print, broadcast, or digital formats, the professional strives to create a brand that is unforgettable. The PRSC objective is to have all of the various modes connect, both visually and logically, in a way that serves both the customer and the business. Students in the PRSC concentration study and produce marketing, advertising, and public relations plans, presentations, and reports to help them compete in the 21st-century marketplace.
This concentration includes an embedded undergraduate certificate in Social Media. In addition, with an additional 15-18 free electives, students may add a second certificate of their choice, a minor, or, if meeting certain requirements, may elect to take an accelerated to master's degree option of two Master's of Science in Management Business Communication graduate courses.
Graduates of this concentration may find opportunities in corporate communication and management, digital publishing, public relations, strategic communication, and more.
Visual Communication
Visual Communication is a growing field, and employment of graphic media designers is projected to grow through 2026. Those earning this degree may work as art directors, who design the vision for a product or work of art, including advertising, publications, video games, theater, and film; multimedia artists and designers, who combine visual art with a variety of forms, such as sound, storytelling, or animation, and may work as special effects artists, 3D animators, and game designers; or graphic designers, who visually communicate ideas and messages for commercial or promotional purposes. Using words, images, and symbols, these designers tweak style elements - such as color and typography - to create posters, logos, packaging, and other products.
This concentration includes an embedded undergraduate certificate in Graphic Design. In addition, with an additional 15-18 free electives, students may add a second certificate of their choice, a minor, or, if meeting certain requirements, may elect to take an accelerated to master's degree option of two Master's of Science in Management Business Communication graduate courses.
Graduates of this concentration may find opportunities in business communication and management, graphic design, multimedia, special effects, logo and brand development, packaging, storytelling, visual art and animation, visual communication, and more.
Program Competencies
In addition to the University’s undergraduate graduation competencies, students will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities related to:
Digital Journalism
Apply current digital communication process in the 21st-century media marketplace.
Demonstrate critical thinking through creative problem solving in digital journalism projects from inception to completion.
Engage in ethical Digital Communication behavior.
Public Relations & Strategic Communication
Integrate imagery, such as logos, ads, and design/visual elements of film, television, and the Internet that capture appropriate audience attention.
Apply current industry standards for Public Relations and Strategic Communication utilizing the web, video, and imagery.
Engage in ethical Public Relation and Strategic Communication behavior.
Visual Communication
Design visual communication products that capture audience attention with branding, packaging, spatial design, publication design, and typeface design.
Deliver professional communication products using appropriate communication tools and techniques.
Create innovative design solutions that communicate to a given audience.
Engage in ethical Visual Communication behavior.
Curriculum
General Education Requirements (39 credits)
A minimum passing grade of "C" is required for ENG 121, ENG 122, ENG 131, ENG 310, MAT 205. A minimum passing grade of "C-" is required for MAT 308.
| CTA 206 | Computer Applications | 3 |
| OR | | |
| CTA 210 | Intro to Technology | 3 |
| ECO 105 | Fundamentals of Economics | 3 |
| ENG 121 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ENG 122 | English Composition II | 3 |
| ENG 131 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| ENG 310 | Research Writing | 3 |
| HIS 381 | Contemporary Global Issues | 3 |
| MAT 205 | Introductory Survey of Mathematics | 3 |
| MAT 308 | Inferential Statistics | 3 |
| PHI 100 | Introduction to Critical Thinking | 3 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| OR | | |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| | Natural Science Elective | 3 or 4 credits |
| HUM | Humanities Elective | 3 |
| | See Program Requirements | |
Natural Science Elective: (excluding SCI 308)
Communication Core (24 credits)
Communication core courses require a minimum passing grade of a "C."
| COM 255 | Communication Editing | 3 |
| COM 300 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| COM 332 | Managing Crisis Communications | 3 |
| COM 310 | Legal Aspects of Communication | 3 |
| COM 344 | Writing and Reporting for the News Media | 3 |
| COM 314 | Technical Communications and Project Management | 3 |
| COM 431 | Media and Society | 3 |
| COM 499 | Communication Ethics | 3 |
Select one of the following three concentrations:
Digital Journalism (39 credits)
Digital Journalism concentration courses require a minimum passing grade of a "C."
COM 400 (6-15 credits): COM 402, COM 403, COM 404, COM 405 are each assigned a 3-credit value. Students are required to complete a minimum of 6 credit hours for the co-op. (Example: Students register for COM 400 and COM 402 to equal 6 credits.) Additional courses in the series could potentially total 15 credit hours. Registration only with approval by Office of Work Integrated Learning or Program Chair.
Electives (18 credits)
Additional course work as needed to meet 120 credits for graduation. Students with less than 16 transfer credits are required to take FYE 101 as one of their electives.
15 credits for an additional certificate or accelerated to master's.*
*Bridge to master's: Two courses in MSM Communication degree concentration: Communication Writing and Strategic Communication.
(Prior approval from program chair required.)
Public Relations and Strategic Communication Concentration (39 credits)
Public Relations and Strategic Communication Concentration courses require a minimum passing grade of a "C."
COM 400 (6-15 credits): COM 402, COM 403, COM 404, COM 405 are each assigned a 3-credit value. Students are required to complete a minimum of 6 credit hours for the co-op. (Example: Students register for COM 400 and COM 402 to equal 6 credits.) Additional courses in the series could potentially total 15 credit hours. Registration only with approval by Office of Work Integrated Learning or Program Chair.
Electives (18 credits)
Additional course work as needed to meet 120 credits for graduation. Students with less than 16 transfer credits are required to take FYE 101 as one of their electives.
15 credits for an additional certificate or accelerated to master's.*
*Bridge to master's: Two courses in MSM Communication degree concentration: Communication Writing and Strategic Communication.
(Prior approval from program chair required.)
Visual Communication Concentration (39 credits)
Visual Communication Concentration courses require a minimum passing grade of a "C."
COM 400 (6-15 credits): COM 402, COM 403, COM 404, COM 405 are each assigned a 3-credit value. Students are required to complete a minimum of 6 credit hours for the co-op. (Example: Students register for COM 400 and COM 402 to equal 6 credits.) Additional courses in the series could potentially total 15 credit hours. Registration only with approval by Office of Work Integrated Learning or Program Chair.
Electives (18 credits)
Additional course work as needed to meet 120 credits for graduation. Students with less than 16 transfer credits are required to take FYE 101 as one of their electives.
15 credits for an additional certificate or accelerated to master's.*
*Bridge to master's: Two courses in MSM Communication degree concentration: Communication Writing and Strategic Communication.
(Prior approval from program chair required.)
Communication, Bachelor of Science Completion Degree
What is a Completion Degree?
A completion degree is a personalized version of a bachelor's degree created exclusively for students who have completed an associate's degree at an accredited institution. (Students who have not completed an associate's degree should return to the full Communication, Bachelor of Science degree information.) Completion degrees are available for most Wilmington University Bachelor of Science degrees. A student who expects to transfer a completed associate's degree should communicate with a Wilmington University academic advisor before registering for courses. A transcript with documentation of the conferred degree must be received by Wilmington University to confirm eligibility.
Communication - Digital Journalism Completion Degree Requirements
Courses in the completion degree require a minimum passing grade of a "C," except MAT 308 which requires a minimum passing grade of a "C-."
Additional course work as needed to meet 120 credits for graduation. Electives to meet 120 credits: a second certificate; or bridge to master's (Prior approval from program chair required): Two courses in MSM Business Communication concentration: Communication Writing and Strategic Communication; or a minor.
The following courses or their equivalents are pre-requisites for the Communication - Digital Journalism Concentration completion degree. If you have transfer credits that do not include equivalents to the classes below, you are expected to complete them, and meet the minimum grade requirement of a C for the ENG and MAT classes, prior to taking the core course for which they are pre-requisites:
ENG 121 English Composition I
ENG 122 English Composition II
ENG 131 Public Speaking
ENG 310 Research Writing
COM 255 Communication Editing
COM 300 Communication Theory (prereq for COM 314)
COM 344 Writing and Reporting for the News Media (prereq for COM 365)
DSN 210 Basic Photoshop
MAT 205 Intro Survey of Math (prereq for MAT 308)
BMK 305 Marketing (prereq for business courses)
Communication - Public Relations and Strategic Communication Completion Degree Requirements
Courses in the completion degree require a minimum passing grade of a "C," except
MAT 308 which requires a minimum passing grade of a "C-."
Additional course work as needed to meet 120 credits for graduation. Electives to meet 120 credits: a second certificate; or bridge to master's (Prior approval from program chair required); two courses in MSM Communication degree concentration: Communication Writing and Strategic Communication; or minor
The following courses or their equivalents are pre-requisites for the Communication - Public Relations and Strategic Communication Concentration completion degree. If you have transfer credits that do not include equivalents to the classes below, you are required to complete them, and meet the minimum grade requirement of a C for the ENG and MAT classes, prior to taking the core course for which they are pre-requisites:
ENG 121 English Composition I
ENG 122 English Composition II
ENG 131 Public Speaking
ENG 310 Research Writing
COM 300 Communication Theory (prereq for COM 314)
COM 344 Writing and Reporting for the News Media (prereq for COM 365)
DSN 210 Basic Photoshop
MAT 205 Intro Survey of Math (prereq for MAT 308)
BMK 305 Marketing (prereq for business courses)
CSC 100 Web Design & Development
Communication - Visual Communication Completion Degree Requirements
Courses in the completion degree require a minimum passing grade of a "C," except
MAT 308 which requires a minimum passing grade of a "C-."
Additional course work as needed to meet 120 credits for graduation. Electives to meet 120 credits: a second certificate; or bridge to master's (Prior approval from program chair required): Two courses in MSM Communication degree concentration: Communication Writing and Strategic Communication; or minor
Students with transfer credits equivalent to DSN 121 will take DSN 307 instead.
The following courses or their equivalents are pre-requisites for the Communication - Visual Communication Concentration complete degree. If you have transfer credits that do not include equivalents to the classes below, you are required to complete them, and meet the minimum grade requirement of a C for the ENG and MAT classes, prior to taking the core course for which they are pre-requisites:
ENG 121 English Composition I
ENG 122 English Composition II (prereq for most courses)
ENG 131 Public Speaking
ENG 310 Research Writing
COM 300 Communication Theory (prereq for COM 314)
COM 344 Writing and Reporting for the News Media (prereq for COM 365)
MAT 205 Intro Survey of Math (prereq for MAT 308)
BMK 305 Marketing (prereq for business courses)
CSC 100 Web Design & Development