Program Description
With the general business major and an applied business communication concentration, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge employers rate as most important: communication, creativity, collaboration and critical thinking. What’s more, you’ll put these skills into practice through active-learning experiences and client projects, adding real-life experiences to your résumé that set you apart from your peers. Clients for student projects have included the Mount Pleasant Discovery Museum, Central Michigan Manufacturer’s Association, Isabella County Restoration House, Mona Lake Productions, Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, Montague Area Public Schools and Dégagé Ministries. You’ll also showcase your work by compiling an electronic portfolio that’s invaluable as you apply for your first job or for graduate school — no matter your life goals.
Put Your Degree to Work
A general business degree prepares you for success in a variety of fields. The applied business communication concentration adds the most highly valued skills in a recent survey of U.S. executives. Examples of potential careers include business consulting, web marketing, social media, business communications, entrepreneurship and upper management.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics sample data
| Job | Median Pay | Job Growth through 2022 |
|---|
| Management analyst | $78,600 per year | 19% (133,800 more jobs) |
| Sales representative | $57,870 per year | 9% (169,300 more jobs) |
| Marketing manager | $115,750 per year | 12% (25,400 more jobs) |
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires. For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
General Business Admin. Major: Applied Business Communication Concen.
The mission of the General Business major with a concentration in Applied Business Communication is to develop pathways to success for students in business by making connections and building relationships through effective communication, collaborative technologies, and social media in a professional setting.
Total: 36 semester hours
Common Body of Knowledge Courses I
(6 hours)
BUS 100
Essential Business Skills
3
Introduces students to the concept of a business, its disciplines, and essential business skills including decision making, team work, and oral and written communication. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format.
MGT 499
Integrated Capstone-Strategic Management
3
An integrative capstone course applying and analyzing financial, marketing, supply chain and other business functions within a global strategic management perspective. This course may be offered in an online format. Prerequisites: 86 semester hours completed; BUS 300, 301; MGT/MKT 303; FIN 302; MKT 304; Tier 2 Admission to Professional Business Studies. Preference given to graduating seniors.
Common Body of Knowledge Courses II
(3 hours)
Select one of the following:
BUS 300QR
Applied Business Statistics
3
Applications of statistical analysis to support business decision making. Covers collection of business data, analysis of business datasets, and presentation of results. This course may be taught in an online format. Quantitative Reasoning. Prerequisites: STA 282 or 382; 26 hours completed.
BUS 503QR
Applied Lean Six Sigma
3
This course applies principles and practices of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) and other operations improvements that have been demonstrated to bring value to business. LSS builds on a business statistics foundation. This course may be offered in an online format. Quantitative Reasoning. Prerequisites: STA 282 or 382 and 56 semester hours completed; or graduate school admission.
Required Courses I
(21 hours)
BIS 260WI
Global Business Communication
3
A focus on business communication skills necessary for success in the global business environment. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. Writing Intensive. Prerequisite: BUS 100 or BIS 100.
BIS 308
Visual Business Communication and Digital Media
3
Evaluating and designing visuals and digital media in a business setting. Work of students contributes to a professional portfolio. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. Recommended: BIS 104 or CPS 100 or BIS 221 or BIS 255.
BIS 315
Social Media and Emerging Technologies in Business
3
Design and implementation of social media strategies using emerging technologies in real-world business settings. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. Prerequisite: BUS 100 or BIS 100.
BIS 360
Applied Business Communication
3
Expands understanding of the communication process as students apply business communication principles related to oral, written, and employment communication in a real-world setting. Prerequisite: 56 semester hours completed. Recommended: ENG 201.
BIS 470
Applied Business Communication Integrated Capstone
3
Using effective business practices and collaboration in preparing and delivering appropriate business reports and communication as a logical approach to solving business problems. This course may be offered in an online format. Prerequisite: BIS 360; Admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on a signed major or minor.
BIS 495
Internship in Applied Business Communication
1-6
A full-time or part-time work experience for one or more semesters dealing with aspects of business and organizational communication. Prerequisite: Permission of department chairperson or major advisor; 56 semester hours completed; either admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on a signed major or minor.
MGT 348
Dynamics of Organizational Behavior
3
Integrative theory of organizational behavior. Human motivation influenced by leadership, the organization itself, and its social environment. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. Prerequisites: MGT 258 or MGT 312, 56 semester hours completed; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on signed major or minor.
Required Courses II
(3 hours)
Select one of the following:
FIN 201
Personal Finance
3
A survival course designed to help you cope with the financial aspects of your life such as taxes, budgeting, inflation, insurance of all kinds, savings, and investing. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format.
FIN 442
Intermediate Financial Management
3
In-depth examination of financial management building on introductory level course. Application of current theory and practices are discussed including simulation, comprehensive cases, and term project. This course may be offered in an online format. Prerequisites: FIN 302 or 332; 56 semester hours completed; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on a signed major or minor.
Electives
(3 hours)
Select one of the following:
ART 114
Understanding Digital Photography
3
Introduction to the basic compositional skills and conceptual applications of digital photography. This course cannot be applied to any Art Major or Minor. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format.
ART 231
Introduction to Graphic Design
3
An introduction to the theory and practice of communication design. An emphasis is placed on technical and aesthetic fundamentals.
BIS 327
Web Site Development
3
Development of Internet and intranet web sites to support business functions including doing business on the Internet with emphasis on issues involved in designing and deploying this information technology by organizations. Prerequisite: 56 semester hours completed or listed on a signed major or minor.
COM 225
Introduction to Communication in Virtual Environments
3
This course addresses the implications of communicating in virtual worlds. Concepts to be addressed include: identity construction, online relationships, collaborative work environments, and ethics. This course may be offered in an online format.
COM 251
Foundations of Communication Theory
3
Basic theories pertaining to spoken symbolic interaction, focusing mainly on the psychological and sociological aspects of interpersonal communication and public address.
COM 352
Communication and Social Influence
3
This course explores how language and public speeches shape decisions, create political support, define presidential leadership, repair public images, and celebrate community values.
COM 361
Interpersonal Communication
3
Assists the student in understanding the interpersonal communication process and in analyzing barriers to its effectiveness.
ENT 301
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
3
Explores the relationship between innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity. Students recognize, develop, and act on their potential for innovation. They generate, evaluate, and present entrepreneurial ideas. This course may be offered in an online format. Prerequisites: ENT 200 with a C or better; 56 semester hours completed.
JRN 302
Introduction to Graphics and Visual Communication
3
Principles and techniques of publication/advertising graphics and visual communication, including typography and the printing process.
MKT 310
Marketing Communications
3
An overview of advertising, personal selling and sales promotion, and other techniques that an organization would use to communicate with its target markets. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. Prerequisites: MKT 300 or MKT 304; 56 semester hours completed; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on signed major or minor.
MKT 340
Personal Selling
3
Analysis of the field of personal selling as a vital element of the promotional efforts of the firm. Prerequisites: MKT 300 or 304; 56 semester hours completed; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on a signed major or minor; or with approval from the Office of Undergraduate Business Studies. For students with a signed minor in Electronic Media Sales, BCA 265QR and 56 semester hours completed.
