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 two concentrations: Integrated Marketing Communication and Media Communication. 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 Art and Sciences in technical and news writing, 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.

Graduates of a Communication degree may find jobs in Advertising, Broadcasting, Print, Digital Media, Public Relations, Public Service, and more.

Students can specialize in either:

Integrated Marketing Concentration

Integrating Marketing Communication (IMC) 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 Integrated Marketing 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 IMC concentration study and produce marketing, advertising, and public relations plans, presentations, and reports to help them compete in the 21st century marketplace.

Media Communication Concentration

Media Communication (MC) 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. Media communication 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 Media Communication concentration sharpen their skills through practical experience inside and outside the classroom in preparation for an exciting and competitive 21st century job market.

Program Competencies

In addition to the University’s undergraduate graduation competencies, students will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities related to:

Hi-Tech Literacy

Use technology to effectively locate and communicate information.

Social Responsibility

Demonstrate an increase in personal commitment to, and understanding of, one's role in a global society.

Integrated Marketing Communication (Competencies for IMC concentration only)

Demonstrate and apply the basic elements of the communication process and the role of communications in marketing.

Communicate information in a logical and grammatical manner to meet requirements of various industry and marketing communities.

Media Communication (Competencies for MC concentration only)

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the influence and impact of visual images, such as logos, ads, and design/visual elements of film, television, and the Internet.

Demonstrate and apply knowledge in current industry standards and technologies of the web, video, and imagery.