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Communications

Franklin University Communications bachelor's degree program banner and link to program video.
Program OverviewProgram DetailsWhy Choose Franklin

Craft messages that move business forward in a mobile, multi-screen world

Communication is at the forefront of everything — especially business. It holds the power to inspire change, promote ideas, influence behavior, and build momentum.

Franklin University’s Communications Major equips you to shape, lead, and execute integrated communications plans, strategies, and tactics through a variety of mediums including print, digital, and social media. Jobs in this fast-growing career field are expected to increase by 19% between 2010 and 2020, a significantly higher rate than the average among all professions.1

Learn how to reach audiences and inspire others to act

Throughout your coursework, you’ll engage in real-world professional practices such as communications planning, audience research, and message development. You’ll also learn how to reach and inspire others to action, collaborate in business-like work groups, and align business objectives within a mobile, multi-screen world.

Our course curriculum is broad-based, emphasizing ethical, collaborative, and creative communications; which means at the completion of your degree program, you’ll be well prepared to deliver strategic communications programs, create targeted messaging for all types of outlets including blogs, websites, and social media, and develop comprehensive campaigns for internal and external audiences.

Create an e-portfolio that showcases your credentials

You’ll also build a showcase of formal and informal work in the form of an e-portfolio, learn new technologies such as Adobe® Photoshop and WordPress, and be introduced to professional networking opportunities through organizations like the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), National Communication Association (NCA), and Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

Customize your degree program to meet your career goals

With Franklin’s Communications Degree Program, you can tailor a rich set of electives to suit your individual interests and goals. Choose from a wide variety of flexible options including marketing, eMarketing, writing, public relations, psychology, human resources management, and more.

Earn your degree from a university built for busy adults

Earn your degree on your terms by taking classes 100% online or pursue available coursework at one of our eleven Midwest locations. Regionally accredited and nonprofit, Franklin was built from the ground-up to satisfy the needs of adult learners. A seamless transfer process and personal academic advisors help ease your transition into becoming a student, while our flexible course schedules help to balance your education with work, family, and life. Get started on your future today!

1Source information provided by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI)

Gain The Skills Employers Desire

  • Communications Planning
    • Prepare and maintain communication plans for new initiatives, programs, or products
    • Perform competitive analyses with a focus on communication strategies and tactics
    • Conduct communications audits in order to monitor communication plan effectiveness
    • Develop communication timelines to ensure that key messages are effectively and cost-efficiently delivered
    • Plan, schedule, and conduct informational interviews in order to inform communication strategies
    • Create and conduct surveys in order to solicit information, views, attitudes, concerns, needs, or priorities from an intended audience
    • Partner with senior leadership to develop comprehensive, measurable communication plans in support of business goals
    • Use new and emerging technologies to maximize message effectiveness
    • Solve communication issues through critical and creative thinking
  • Internal Communications
    • Develop integrated plans that engage employees and support a company’s strategic direction
    • Shape and lead an integrated internal communications program, ensuring the delivery of cohesive and consistent messaging
    • Collaborate with internal teams to develop and direct programs that enhance communications at all levels of an organization
    • Implement company-wide strategies that share a company’s vision, goals, and objectives, influencing a positive work culture
    • Understand how communications is affected by technology, corporate culture, leadership, teamwork, ethics, and diversity
    • Build and manage collaborative communications environments that foster creativity and enhance organizational synergies
  • Marketing Communications
    • Write persuasive sales and marketing collateral in both print and online formats
    • Design communication and marketing materials, such as sales sheets, brochures, and presentations
    • Develop creative solutions to promote an organization and enhance its public image
    • Work with internal departments to establish and execute communications efforts, and build relationships with external constituent groups
  • Message Development
    • Identify and develop key messages, positioning, and outreach strategies with the ability to penetrate marketplace noise
    • Understand how people think and how to create language that effectively communicates to various audience segments
    • Craft clear, precise, and ethical messages for specific audiences
    • Ensure consistency of key messages for programs across multiple mediums
    • Create effective business proposals, summaries, research reports, and instructional manuals
    • Provide rich, well-sourced content for a variety of mediums
  • Audience Research
    • Identify audience needs by employing surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one meetings
    • Conduct comprehensive audience analyses using both qualitative and quantitative research techniques
    • Use Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word to “tell a story using data” in a way that is contextual, correct, and concise
    • Interpret and document data collection results through graphic illustration and other special formats
    • Systematically organize knowledge and content for precise communication
    • Conduct and present research findings
    • Understand differences among various cultural audiences and how they influence communication strategies
  • Digital Communications
    • Be adept with graphic design, social media, and other useful web tools
    • Direct branding and content for internal and external websites
    • Use new technologies to maximize the effectiveness of communication plans
    • Develop and maintain editorial calendars for a global communications rollout
    • Participate in the creative process of graphic design
    • Design marketing material using visual problem-solving skills
    • Build and manage collaborative communication environments
  • Communications Coaching
    • Apply listening and verbal messaging skills to become a key resource for organizational leadership
    • Prepare customized presentation materials for managers, leaders, and others
    • Provide counsel to business leaders to assure consistency of strategic direction
    • Use relationships, persuasion, and conflict management skills to impact teams and organizations
    • Engage in and deliver confident, persuasive public speeches, talks, and presentations

Career Opportunities

  • Community Relations Specialist

    Community Relations Specialists plan, execute, and manage outreach programs to promote organizations, bring awareness to intended audiences, and create positive community connections.

    View Salary Trends
  • Copywriter

    Copywriters generate a variety of written text in support of marketing, advertising, and public relations campaigns, including direct mail postcards, emails, newsletters, sales letters, advertisements, press releases, articles, and catalogues.

    View Salary Trends
  • Corporate Communications Manager

    Corporate Communications Managers collaborate in planning, creating, and delivering specific messages to internal and/or external audiences.

    View Salary Trends
  • Corporate Trainer

    Corporate Trainers educate, inspire, and guide employees to achieve maximize productivity, efficiency, and ability.

    View Salary Trends
  • Interactive Communications Manager

    Interactive Communications Managers oversee the planning, implementation, budgeting, and resourcing of interactive projects, leading teams to successful project completion.

    View Salary Trends
  • Public Relations Specialist

    Using a variety of tools such as press releases and media pitches, Public Relations professionals create and manage a company’s public perception and reputation, while building awareness and interest among key constituents.

    View Salary Trends
  • Recruiter

    Recruiters fill job openings by developing recruiting plans and employing sourcing strategies to locate, interview, test, place, and assimilate qualified employees.

    View Salary Trends
  • Technical Communicator

    Technical Communicators translate complex data into written text, including instruction manuals, reference materials, and articles for both technical and non-technical audiences.

    View Salary Trends
  • Web Content Developer

    Web Content Developers create optimized text for websites, social network groups, blogs, and other interactive media in order to reach intended audiences, support interactive campaigns, and improve search engine rankings.

    View Salary Trends

Employment Outlook

From 2010-2020 jobs in Communications are expected to increase by 19%.

In 2010 there were 12,942 job openings related to Communications. That same year, 1,356 students completed programs in Communications.

In 2010 there were 12,942 job openings related to Communications. That same year, 1,356 students completed programs in Communications.

Source information provided by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI)

Our Recipe For Your Success

Academic & Industry Experts

Classes are taught and designed by credentialed professionals with real-world experience.
 

  • Programs are designed by combining the insight of industry leaders with the academic expertise of our faculty, ensuring what you learn translates into on-the-job success.

  • Academic concepts and theories are brought to life through our teaching faculty’s professional expertise, and can be immediately applied in your career.

  • Faculty with industry experience teach our courses, not graduate students or life-time academics, so you learn not only the theories behind the practice but also how to apply them in real-world situations.

Relevant & Consistent Curriculum

What you learn is a reflection of the program you choose, not the format in which it’s applied.
 

  • All programs are designed for learning outcomes to flow from the program level into actual coursework.

  • This top-down approach allows credentialed professionals to customize assignments based on trending industry topics without deviating from a program’s core outcomes.

  • Regardless of your professor or the format of your class, you receive the same quality education.

Hands-On Learning Experience

Franklin's coursework teaches not only theories and concepts, but also how they apply to practical situations.

 

  • Professional course designers ensure that class activities such as learning simulations, case studies, interactive videos, and group exercises are relevant and appropriate.

  • A curriculum development team is dedicated to making sure all courses are intuitively designed so content is taught in a logical manner that facilitates your success in the classroom and beyond.

Continuously Evolving Programs

Consistent program reviews ensure our programs stay at the forefront of industry trends.
 

  • Survey results and feedback from student and faculty assessments are reviewed regularly so that our programs are always improving and up-to-date.

  • A structured review process helps identify industry gaps that guide curriculum enhancements allowing our academic and industry experts to regularly implement new industry trends.

  • Regular assessment provides hard data that is used to improve student learning and teaching methods.

Get the details

Read course descriptions, learn about degree options, and meet program faculty.

View Program Details