Execute effective messages with a bachelor's in communications degree

A learning outcome map functions as a roadmap to help guide students' progress through their program of study. Click HERE to view the B.S. Communications matrix.

1. To be awarded an undergraduate degree, students must:

• Successfully complete all courses required in the major program, including:
• General Education
• Business or Professional Core
• Major Area and Elective Courses
• Technical transfer credit (for specific degree completion programs only)

2. Meet these grade point average (GPA) requirements:

• All students must attain a minimum Franklin University cumulative GPA of 2.00
• All students must attain a minimum GPA of 2.25 in the major area, and each major area course must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to count toward degree requirements

3. Complete the residency requirement

• Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours at Franklin University to be eligible for a degree. Students seeking an associate’s degree must earn 20 credit hours overall in residence at Franklin University to be eligible for a degree. 

4. Complete the payment of all requisite tuition and fees

5. Not be under disciplinary dismissal due to academic dishonesty or a violation of the Student Code of Conduct

Program Chairs and Academic Advisors are available for consultation to provide information and guidance regarding the selection of courses, the accuracy of schedules, and the transfer process. However, students are responsible for understanding and meeting the degree requirements of their major program or degree and for planning schedules accordingly.

Overall Residency Requirements

Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours at Franklin University to be eligible for a degree. Students seeking an associate’s degree must earn 20 credit hours overall in residence at Franklin University to be eligible for a degree. 

Course Level Requirements

A student must have 40 credit hours overall that are equivalent to 300/400 level Franklin University courses for a bachelor’s degree. A student must have a minimum of 12 credit hours of courses that are equivalent to 200 level or above for an associate’s degree.

Business Core Requirements

Majors that have Business Core requirements are Accounting, Applied Management, Business Administration, Business Economics, Business Forensics, Energy Management, Entrepreneurship, Financial Management, Financial Planning, Forensic Accounting, Human Resources Management, Information Systems Auditing, Logistics Management, Management & Leadership, Marketing, Operations & Supply Chain Management, and Risk Management & Insurance. The Business Core is the foundation of the related academic disciplines appropriate for a baccalaureate degree in business. The purpose of the Business Core is to provide students with a conceptual understanding of organizations, how the functional areas interrelate to achieve organizational goals, and how to apply professional decision-making competencies and technical skills in today’s environment. After completing the Business Core, graduates will be able to:

• analyze an organization’s accounting information in order to develop sound business decisions
• identify and apply valuation models relevant to an organization’s financial decisions
• identify the impact of forces influencing the major functional areas of business (e.g., ethical, legal, technological, economic, global and social)
• apply marketing activities to the delivery of goods and services in business-to-business and business-to-consumer markets
• apply interpersonal and resource management skills to enhance business success

Business Principles (BSAD 110) is a Business Core prerequisite. Transfer students with the equivalent of four business courses are not required to take Business Principles.

Major Area Requirements

A student must have 20 credit hours in the major area that are equivalent to 300/400 major level Franklin courses for a bachelor’s degree. A student must have 12 hours of major area courses that are equivalent to 200 level or above for an associate’s degree. A minimum 2.25 GPA is required in the major area for students enrolled in either the associate’s or bachelor’s degree programs, and each major course must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to count toward degree requirements.

Capstone Requirement

Every major has a capstone experience for which credit cannot be transferred into the University. This is a Franklin course designed to integrate and assess the learning outcomes specific to each major as a whole. This course should be taken as the last major course. If, given the academic scheduling process and the student’s projected graduation date, this is not possible, then the student should have Senior Standing (90 or more credit hours), plus the skill-based General Education courses (COMM, SPCH, WRIT, MATH, COMP), all business or professional core courses, and the capstone prerequisite courses.

Subsequent Degree Requirements

Students pursuing subsequent bachelor’s degrees must earn in residency at Franklin University a minimum of 30 credit hours at the 200 level or above, of which a minimum of 16 credit hours must be major area courses equivalent to 300/400 level courses.

Additional Degree Requirements

Students seeking an additional bachelor’s (or associate’s) degree must successfully complete a minimum of 30 credit hours (including the major requirements) beyond the first bachelor’s (or associate’s) degree. (See the “Subsequent Degree” section of the Academic Bulletin.)

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit and credit awarded on standardized exams, proficiency exams or portfolio credit awarded by another institution will not count toward the residency requirement at Franklin University. Credit awarded based on proficiency examination or portfolio evaluation conducted by Franklin University may apply as appropriate major area credit, but will not reduce the hours required toward the residency requirement.

• Prepare and maintain communication plans for new initiatives, programs, or products.
• Demonstrate digital and informational literacies relevant to the practice of communication and media.
• Create promotional communication and media messaging using mixed media.
• Partner with senior leadership to develop comprehensive, measurable communication plans in support of business goals.
• Create and conduct surveys in order to solicit information, views, attitudes, concerns, needs, or priorities from an intended audience.
• Solve communication issues through critical and creative thinking.
• Conduct communications audits in order to monitor communication plan effectiveness.
• Perform competitive analyses with a focus on communication strategies and tactics.
• Use new and emerging technologies to maximize message effectiveness.

• Develop integrated plans that engage employees and support a company’s strategic direction.
• 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.
• Implement company-wide strategies that share a company’s vision, goals, and objectives, influencing a positive work culture.
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop and direct programs that enhance communications at all levels of an organization.
• Shape and lead an integrated internal communications program, ensuring the delivery of cohesive and consistent messaging.

• 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.

• Identify and develop key messages, positioning, and outreach strategies with the ability to penetrate marketplace noise.
• Craft clear, precise, and ethical messages for specific audiences.
• Ensure consistency of key messages for programs across multiple mediums.
• Provide rich, well-sourced content for a variety of mediums.
• Understand how people think and how to create language that effectively communicates to various audience segments.
• Create effective business proposals, summaries, research reports, and instructional manuals.

• 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 applied research findings.
• Understand differences among various cultural audiences and how they influence communication strategies.

• Be adept with graphic design, social media, and other useful web tools.
• Use new technologies to maximize the effectiveness of communication plans.
• Design marketing material using visual problem-solving skills.
• Develop and maintain editorial calendars for a global communications rollout.
• Participate in the creative process of graphic design.
• Direct branding and content for internal and external websites.
• Tell visual stories through photography or video.

• 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.