The Bachelor of Arts in Applied Communication teaches students how to use a positive communication framework to ethically lead and make a difference. Students will learn the importance of practicing positive communication in interpersonal, organizational, and public contexts, and will be prepared with communication skills that can be applied across a number of professions. Our program’s mission is to foster the co-creation of better social worlds through positive communication.
Students will learn to “apply” theory to everyday situations in order to improve the communication within those situations. Our curriculum is interactive in nature, with an emphasis on case studies and ethical communication across the curriculum. This helps students better understand how to use positive communication to make a difference.
Online degree option
Classes are offered in an online, hybrid, and face-to-face (or synchronous / zoom) formats to meet the needs of both traditional and non-traditional students.
Student success is important to our university and department. View more information about financial aid, scholarships, and various campus and community resources.
Learning Outcomes and Goals
Analyzing Messages: Communication graduates use communication theory to effectively critique messages. This message analysis is done through active listening and critical thinking, allowing communication graduates to enact mindful responses to messages.
Developing Messages: Communication graduates create and adapt their messages to different purposes and contexts, using a variety of methods. When appropriate, they co-create their messages with their stakeholders.
Setting Communicative Goals: Communication graduates generate communication recommendations for self and others. When generating communication recommendations for self and others, communication graduates first assess their own strengths and weaknesses and then recognize potential difficulties that might be faced in implementing the recommendations.
Collaborating with Others: Communication graduates are effective as leaders in change management. They collaboratively work with others to problem-solve situations.
Embracing Difference: Communication graduates advocate inclusion by respect of diverse perspectives and the navigation of the ethical implications of altering communication practices.
Influencing Discourse: Communication graduates recognize the importance of communication in everyday life. They use their communication and research skills to frame and evaluate personal, local, national, and global issues, in order to productively respond to those issues. In doing so, they are strong advocates for applying best practices in communication within various contexts.
