Business doesn’t happen without communication.
Nichols Business Communication program develops the skills and experience you need to build a successful career in the fast-growing field of business, corporate and global communications.
The program explores the underpinnings of communication, from interpersonal and group communications skills to organizational and intercultural communication dynamics. It also provides focused attention to practice areas such as marketing and public relations.
Career Opportunities
As a graduate, you’ll be prepared to pursue a wide array of career options, including positions in:
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marketing
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public relations
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management
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human resources
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event planning
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sales
Recent Graduates Employed
- Jennifer Marie Williamson, General Business with a Concentration in Business Communications: Marketing Associate, Vision Advertising
- Alicia Deluca, Business Communications: Business Development Specialist, IdeaLaunch
Career Success!
Class of 2010: Jennifer Marie Williamson
Hometown: Spencer, MA
Major: General Business with a Concentration in Business Communications
Position: Vision Advertising, marketing assistant Worcester, MA
How she did it:
Jennifer Marie Williamson actually contacted Nichols Professor Len Harmon, via Linked In, and asked him to keep an eye out for any potential job opportunities, and he did! Eventually her resume got to Laura Briere, CEO of Vision Advertising, and after several grueling interviews, Williamson landed a job.
“I don't believe I would have been able to WOW Laura as much as I did if I didn't have my internship experience at Nichols Office of Career Services with Director Heather Maietta,” says Williamson, who was taught to be prepared, professional and adept at handling challenges. Most importantly, she got a lot of hands-on writing experience.
Read about internship experiences.
Specialization Courses
Business Communication majors must complete 121 credit hours (approximately 40 courses), including courses from the foundation and business core curricula, focused electives and these required specialization courses:
Required Courses
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BCOM 247 |
Business Communication Survey |
3 Hours, 1 Semester |
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This course includes a survey of basic theories of the human communication process, and an examination of communication theory in five business-related contexts: (1) group communication, (2) inter/intra cultural communication, (3) interpersonal communication, (4) mass communication, and (5) organizational communication.
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BCOM 310 |
Intercultural Communication |
3 Hours, 1 Semester |
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In this course, students will gain awareness of cultural differences as they affect the conduct of business, and will develop methods to bridge those differences. Globalization, the effect of social conventions on the business environment, and the impact of cultural norms on information gathering and decision making will be studied. Differences in legal, regulatory, and organizational structures will be considered. Each student will research and report on the business environment of a specific region or country.
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BCOM 311 |
Visual Communication |
3 Hours, 1 Semester |
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This course will explore the psychological and cultural aspects of visual communication, and will introduce students to visual techniques for analyzing, displaying and explaining numerical and statistical data. The cultural and commercial impact of advertising, film, and electronically manipulated data will be studied. Working with photographs, tables, graphs, and templates, students will learn to select appropriate visual formats for presentation of various types of data. Ethical issues related to choice, use and distortion of visual information will be considered. Software programs for computer-assisted design will be reviewed and applied.
Prerequisites: MATH 215 or PSY 375
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BCOM 490 |
Internship in Business Communication |
3 Hours, 1 Semester |
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An internship acts as the capstone course for students selecting the business communication concentration. The objective of the course is to gain work experience in a communications related field or position. Examples include, but are not limited to, marketing, TV and radio broadcasting, sport management and promotion, newspaper reporting and editing, sales, special events and projects, human resources, project management, and on- campus opportunities. Students select an internship based on their personal interests and preferences. Each student is required to work 120 hours over the course of the semester, maintain a daily work log, and complete a comprehensive paper detailing his or her experience, as well as provide an analysis of research completed on a topic related to the field of communications.
Prerequisites: BCOM 247, BCOM 310 and BCOM 311
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Elective Courses (3 required)
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BCOM 312 |
Managerial Communication |
3 Hours, 1 Semester |
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This advanced course in organizational communication will cover conflict and negotiation, relating document styles and purposes, working with the corporate board of directors, managing a media crisis, whistleblowers and other systemic malfunctions, communication in the unionized workplace, ethical communication, and the profit motive. Students will analyze real cases and propose and debate alternative solutions.
Prerequisite: MGMT 226
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BCOM 316 |
Mass Media, Public Relations and Media Management |
3 Hours, 1 Semester |
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A study of communication that is mediated through technology, including traditional mass media (books, newspapers, radio, film, and television) and new media (cable, satellite, computer, and digital telecommunications). We will consider the nature and practice of public relations, corporate interface with press organizations, and the role of advertising. The ethical and legal repercussions of mass communications will also be considered.
Prerequisite: MKTG 202
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HRM 344 |
Developing and Motivating Human Potential |
3 Hours, 1 Semester |
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Hiring qualified talent is no guarantee that these employees will achieve their potential. Without nurturing, much of this talent will remain untapped and wasted. High per- forming workforces are the result of continuous development and effective motivational strategy. Based on sound motivational theory, this course examines why people work and what organizations should know and do in order to create winning teams.
Prerequisite: HRM 213
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MKTG 361 |
Consumer Marketing OR |
3 Hours, 1 Semester |
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Examination of the consumer marketing process. This includes analysis and planning of consumer product marketing programs tied in with investigation of consumer decision making and buying patterns. Includes written case analyses.
Prerequisites: ECON 221, ECON 222 and MKTG 202
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MKTG 362 |
Business Marketing |
3 Hours, 1 Semester |
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Business Marketing: An examination of the process of marketing to business, institutional, and governmental markets, with a focus on business buyers and the development of appropriate marketing strategies for goods and services.
Prerequisites: ECON 221, ECON 222 and MKTG 202
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PSY 308 |
Psychology of Temperament |
3 Hours, 1 Semester |
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In this course, students will examine various theories underlying the development of human temperament. We will start with early theories and trace them through to the modern era. In this course, we will look at the profound effect temperament has on perception, communication, and relationships. Knowledge of human temperament is fundamentally pragmatic and will help students relate to the social world around them.
Prerequisite: PSY 151
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PSY 342 |
Group Dynamics |
3 Hours, 1 Semester |
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This course examines the formation of groups, group processes, followership, and leadership processes within groups and group behaviors. Emphasis is placed on the experience of applying group theory.
Prerequisite: PSY 151
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SMGT 462 |
Communication and Public Relations |
3 Hours, 1 Semester |
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This course is designed to introduce the students to the role of effective communication in the sport industry. The nature and function of communication will be examined in a variety of settings. Emphasis will be placed on interpersonal communications, public relations, mass media relations, public speaking, and innovative technology.
Prerequisite: BCOM 247or SMGT 251 or SMGT 352
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Advanced Marketing Courses (choose 1)
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MKTG 433 |
Market Research |
3 Hours, 1 Semester |
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A study of the application of research techniques in market analysis. Student teams design, conduct, and report a research project, including problem definition, questionnaire design, data collection, data analysis, documentation, and presentation of findings.
Prerequisites: MATH 215 and MKTG 361 or MKTG 362
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MKTG 434 |
International Marketing |
3 Hours, 1 Semester |
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An analysis of the international business and consumer environments and the development and implementation of marketing programs across business alternatives (e.g., direct investment, joint ventures, licensing). Topics include the roles of cultural, political, technological, economical, and legal aspects of marketing in an international environment, as well as how these affect the marketing mixes likely to be successful in various international markets.
Prerequisite: MKTG 361 or MKTG 362
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MKTG 435 |
Marketing Communications |
3 Hours, 1 Semester |
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A course focusing on advertising, sales promotion, and direct marketing while integrating all aspects of the marketing process. Topics include planning and execution of promotional programs, strategy development, product targeting and positioning. Orientation reflects the managerial or “client” side of business rather than the “creative” or message development side.
Prerequisite: MKTG 361 or MKTG 362
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MKTG 436 |
Sales Management |
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An investigation of the functions and activities of sales managers. Topics include recruiting, organizing, training, compensating, leading, motivating, and managing the sales force.
Prerequisite: MKTG 361 or MKTG 362
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Advanced Writing Courses (choose 1)
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ENGL 320 |
Fiction Writing |
3 Hours, 1 Semester |
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Muriel Rukeyser once wrote, "The universe is made of stories, not atoms." Fiction Writing centers on making our own universes through the creation of story and on the discovery of the universe within each of us, the stories of which we are made. Through discussion and revision of their own work as well as the reading of published pieces, class members find their own voices, hone their skills, and release the energy of their own creative expression.
Prerequisite: ENGL 105
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ENGL 321 |
Professional Writing |
3 Hours, 1 Semester |
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Intensive practice in a variety of approaches to professional writing tasks: memoranda, correspondence, proposals, and both brief and longer reports.
Prerequisite: ENGL 105
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ENGL 345 |
Non Fiction Writing |
3 Hours, 1 Semester |
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This is a writing workshop course in which students will explore their own experiences and ideas while learning how to effectively share those ideas with readers. The course will focus on writing experiences including autobiography, profiles of others, creative literary non-fiction, and pieces that relate to world events and the society and culture around us. In addition to extensive writing, students will read model essays.
Prerequisites: ENGL 105
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ENGL 346 |
Journalism |
3 Hours, 1 Semester |
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Designed for students interested in journalism and those who want to improve their written communication skills. Intensive hands-on work in various aspects of news writing combined with analysis of the influence of media’s role in the world.
Prerequisite: ENGL 105
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ENGL 470 |
Special Topics |
3 Hours, 1 Semester |
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This course is offered on an occasional basis and addresses topics and themes of special interest not covered in the standard course offerings in English.
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Internships provide you with opportunities to explore the wide array of career options within the communications field. Students have interned at:
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TV and Radio stations
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Newspapers
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New England Revolution
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The Worcester Sharks
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The Better Business Bureau
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Fidelity Investments
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TJX Companies
College Catalog
Review or download the college catalog for additional details and information about courses and requirements.
Key Faculty
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Luanne Proko
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Program Chair
Questions about the business communications program? Contact Professor Luanne Proko, Program Chair, at luanne.proko@nichols.edu or 508-213-2260.