Business Communication

Therese Mailand, undergraduate business major, works on a laptop in the Charles J. Keffer Library in Opus Hall on November 29, 2016, in Minneapolis.

Business Communication

Messaging Matters

If the business world is an engine, great communication is the fuel. Choose the Business Communication major at St. Thomas and gain the foundation you need to thrive in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Our hands-on, practical curriculum will give you a solid understanding of business fundamentals and background knowledge and skills in the human message exchange. You’ll learn:

Communication strategies that apply one-on-one, in groups and electronically
How to create persuasive messaging
How to communicate effectively across cultures

Our highly engaged faculty and small class sizes ensure that you receive plenty of individual attention, and your faculty advisor supports and guides your student journey. If you want to make your mark in the field of business communication, take the first step at St. Thomas.

Program Overview

Course Requirements

Four-Year Plan

Degree Awarded

Tutoring

Internships

Course Requirements

All undergraduate business students are required to take liberal arts core curriculum courses, foundational and major-specific business courses, and allied courses from outside the College of Business in key areas such as economics, math, and statistics. In addition, Business Communication majors take additional courses in media and communication.

Business Communication Major Courses

Four-Year Plan

Year 1

ACCT 100 Principles of Accounting I
BUSN 100 Business for the Common Good
ENTR 100 Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Begin allied courses in economics, math, and statistics

Year 2

ACCT 200 Principles of Accounting II
BETH 300 Ethical Principles in Business
BLAW 300 Law for Business Leaders I
BUSN 200 Business Learning Through Service
CISC 200 Intro to Computer Technology and Business Application
FINC 310 Core Financial Management
MGMT 200 Working Skillfully in Organizations
MKTG 200 Introduction to Marketing
OPMT 200 Operations and Supply Chain Management

STUDY ABROAD: Your second or third years are ideal for semester-long or short-term (January) international programs.

Years 3 & 4

As a junior and senior, you’ll take upper-level specialized courses specific to your chosen major, as well as business electives.

In addition to your major courses, you’ll also take interdisciplinary liberal arts courses in the throughout your four years.

Degree Awarded

Students who complete the required coursework receive a of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Business Communication.

Tutoring

Your professor is always available to help you with your coursework. If you need extra help with your core courses in accounting, finance or operations, free tutors are also available. Whether you’re stuck on an assignment or want help preparing for an exam, our tutors are always glad to work with you. You can schedule a 30-minute one-on-one appointment or drop in during open hours.

Internships

St. Thomas maintains a large network of alumni and local business connections, which leads to real-world learning opportunities, internships and - oftentimes - employment after graduation. When you’re ready for an internship, the Career Development Center can help you find a position that supports your professional goals.

Course Requirements

Business Communication Major Courses

Four-Year Plan

Year 1

ACCT 100 Principles of Accounting I
BUSN 100 Business for the Common Good
ENTR 100 Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Begin allied courses in economics, math, and statistics

Year 2

STUDY ABROAD: Your second or third years are ideal for semester-long or short-term (January) international programs.

Years 3 & 4

As a junior and senior, you’ll take upper-level specialized courses specific to your chosen major, as well as business electives.

In addition to your major courses, you’ll also take interdisciplinary liberal arts courses in the throughout your four years.

Degree Awarded

Students who complete the required coursework receive a of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Business Communication.

Tutoring

Internships

Develop your communication strategies and explore cross-functional electives

Students studying business communications have the opportunity to explore a variety of cross-functional electives while learning the skills to be a successful business communicator.

Versatile elective options

The Business Communication major combines the broad base of a business major with versatile elective options. The cross-functional nature of business communicators led to the inclusion of electives from 6 different departments (STCM, JOUR, COMM, MGMT, MKTG and BLAW). This means that Business Communication students enjoy the opportunity to customize their course portfolio in preparation for a broad range of careers as a business communicator, ranging from managerial leadership to copywriting to social media marketing.

Hands-on capstone experience

BCOM 435: Management Priorities and the Business Communicator

This course aims to tie together the many elements of business and professional marketing / corporate communication students learn about in the concentration. Through a series of case studies, activities and a summative research project, students will learn about how to best position communication strategies and themselves to be well received by management.

A NETWORK OF SUPPORT

Business communications students have access to an active network of professors, peers and alums supporting them at St. Thomas. They gain invaluable skills and knowledge that are in demand in the industry.

Betsy Williams ‘20

Knowing early on she was dedicated to business and leadership, Betsy studied Business Communications. Through her courses and volunteering experience with local Minneapolis non-profit, Haven Housing, Betsy’s passion for diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace quickly grew. Her current role in campus recruiting at Ecolab, combines her love of people and career development skills.

Riccardo Williams ‘20

Riccardo is thankful to his professors and staff within the Opus College of Business for their help in developing his practical business knowledge. He credits classes such as Business Ethics to giving him the tools to apply his skills to create change in the world. During his time at St. Thomas, he was active with the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society - which provideed him with a network of nationwide scholars and business professionals. Riccardo stays connected with this network of individuals even after graduation.

Three professionals sitting around a table, and talking.

Career Opportunities

Typical business communication jobs include:

Public Relations Associate, Broadcast or Media Analyst
Employee Communications Specialist
Investor Relations Manager
Customer Relations Specialist
Business Analyst

GHR Fellows Program

Full tuition and fees for four years (and may, pending demonstrated financial need, receive grant funds that cover room and board at St. Thomas)
A fully funded J-Term study abroad experience
Professional coaching and mentorship
Networking opportunities with Fortune 500 business executives and community leaders

Fauth Business Scholarships

The Opus College of Business awards this competitive scholarship to incoming students who intend to major in Business. Each year, up to four $10,000 / year scholarships are awarded.

Faculty at the Forefront of Practice and Theory

Mike Porter, EdD

Mike Porter is passionate about professional communication. He is focused on crisis communication and specifically investigates how senior managers engage and leverage external consultants during major organization crises.

Steve Vuolo

Steve Vuolo is known for bringing his industry experience into the classroom. Teaching is Vuolo’s second career; he worked in marketing for over 20 years and stays active in the industry as a consultant.

Learning Through Service: Business 200

We believe that businesses need to be socially responsible in the communities where they operate. All undergraduate business majors and minors are required to complete BUSN 200, a zero-credit, a tuition-free course that includes 40 hours of community service and a series of reflective seminars. This service-learning helps you grow into a highly principled global business professional and an effective and ethical leader who’s prepared to make positive contributions in both your profession and community.

St. Thomas Career Services

The experts in the Career Development Center can help you find internships, develop job-hunting skills and put you in touch with business leads - both alumni and St. Thomas connections in the broader Twin Cities business scene. We can help you:

Clarify your strengths and how they relate to majors and career fields
Map out a career plan
Create your résumé and prepare for interviews
Look for internships and jobs

Take the Next Step

There is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.

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