Communication Major: Business Applications Option (B.A.)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New Hampshire

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a Business Applications option at the University of New Hampshire combines communication studies with practical business knowledge in areas such as marketing, advertising, and organizational behavior. It is ideal for students who enjoy working with people, understanding how messages influence audiences, and building careers that connect communication with the business world.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Building Communication Foundations

Students begin by exploring how communication shapes everyday interactions, media, and society. Courses such as CMN 455 – Introduction to Media Studies, CMN 456 – Propaganda and Persuasion, and CMN 457 – Introduction to Language and Social Interaction help students understand how messages influence opinions, shape relationships, and affect the way people connect with one another.

Year 2 – Developing Analytical and Professional Skills

Students strengthen their ability to understand communication in different social and professional settings while beginning to explore business fundamentals. Through ADMN 400 – Introduction to Business and communication-focused coursework, they gain an understanding of how organizations operate and how effective communication supports professional relationships and business activities.

Year 3 – Exploring Business Applications

Students develop a stronger understanding of the connection between communication and business through courses such as MKTG 530 – Survey of Marketing, MGT 535 – Organizational Behavior, and MGT 520 – Topics in Management. These subjects introduce students to marketing strategies, workplace relationships, management practices, and the role of communication in business decision-making.

Year 4 – Professional Experience and Career Preparation

In the final year, students bring their knowledge together through advanced communication coursework and CMN 599 – Internship. This supervised experience allows them to apply their learning in a professional environment, strengthen workplace communication skills, and gain valuable exposure to their chosen career field.

Focus Areas

Business communication, media studies, marketing, advertising, organizational behavior, persuasion, interpersonal communication, management, professional communication, audience analysis, workplace relationships, communication research.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop the ability to analyze communication patterns, understand audience behavior, evaluate persuasive messages, communicate effectively in professional settings, apply business fundamentals, understand organizational relationships, and use communication strategies to address workplace and business challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Business Applications option brings together the Department of Communication and business coursework from the Departments of Marketing and Management within Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics. This combination gives students an opportunity to develop both communication expertise and practical business knowledge. The university does not specify a separate professional accreditation for this particular B.A. option.

Reputation (Employability and Career Outcomes)

The program prepares students for opportunities in business, marketing, media, government, education, advocacy, and related professional fields. By combining communication studies, business subjects, and supervised internship experience, students develop transferable skills that can support their professional growth across different industries.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of New Hampshire, students can bring their communication and business knowledge into real-world settings through practical coursework and internship experience. The Business Applications option includes a supervised internship, giving students the opportunity to understand workplace expectations and apply what they have learned in a professional environment. Alongside this, communication and business courses help students develop confidence in analyzing messages, understanding audiences, and working effectively with others.

Students can strengthen their practical knowledge through the following opportunities:

Required Internship: CMN 599 – Internship provides supervised workplace experience, allowing students to apply communication concepts and develop professional skills in a real work environment.
Business Knowledge: ADMN 400 – Introduction to Business introduces students to business fundamentals and helps them understand how organizations operate.
Marketing Applications: MKTG 530 – Survey of Marketing and MKTG 520 – Topics in Marketing introduce students to marketing principles, business communication, and consumer-focused strategies.
Organizational Behavior: MGT 535 – Organizational Behavior helps students understand workplace relationships, employee behavior, teamwork, and organizational dynamics.
Media Learning Resources: The Department of Communication provides access to media learning resources and coursework that introduces students to multimedia production skills.
Communication Analysis: CMN 455 – Introduction to Media Studies, CMN 456 – Propaganda and Persuasion, and CMN 457 – Introduction to Language and Social Interaction help students examine media, persuasive messages, and communication in everyday and professional life.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Communication Major: Business Applications Option prepares graduates to combine strong communication abilities with practical business knowledge. Through studies in marketing, advertising, organizational behavior, and professional communication, students gain a foundation for careers involving business relationships, audience engagement, marketing activities, and organizational communication.

Potential Career Roles: Marketing Coordinator, Public Relations Specialist, Business Communications Coordinator, Advertising Account Executive

Career Development and Graduate Opportunities

Career Services: UNH provides career advising, internship guidance, job-search resources, and professional development support to help students prepare for employment.
Practical Experience: The required CMN 599 internship allows students to gain supervised workplace experience and apply their academic knowledge in a professional setting.
Industry Preparation: Coursework in marketing, management, and organizational behavior helps students understand business environments and prepare for communication-related responsibilities.
Employment and Salary Information: The university does not publish a specific employment rate or graduate salary figure for this particular option. Salary outcomes vary according to job role, industry, location, and professional experience.
Professional Recognition: The combination of communication studies and business coursework provides a broad academic foundation for careers in different professional sectors. No separate program-specific professional accreditation is identified.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates develop the ability to analyze communication challenges, understand business environments, work with diverse audiences, and apply effective communication strategies in professional settings.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the B.A., graduates may continue their education through postgraduate programs in Communication, Strategic Communication, Marketing, Public Relations, Business Administration (MBA), or Organizational Communication. These qualifications allow students to build specialized knowledge in communication strategy, business leadership, audience engagement, and organizational development.