It’s time to move ahead. Effective communication is key for establishing and maintaining a successful organization. Western’s Business Communication Adult Degree Completion program combines the logistics of business with the finesse of communication to create a versatile degree, setting you on the path to success in a fulfilling career.
Program Overview
Become fluent in the language of business
Learn how to craft and share engaging messages for the audiences you want. Business Communication is about day-to-day business operations, as well as improving relationships, through the use of effective communication. After graduation, use your skillset to pursue career opportunities in public relations, organizational communication, marketing, strategic management, content creation and more.
Capture your audiences.
The Business Communication program teaches you how to craft messages that engage with internal and external audiences in a meaningful and impactful way.
Program Requirements
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
Program Requirements
A 48-credit comprehensive business emphasis with attention to communication and messaging strategies for improving workplace outcomes.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 201 | Introduction to Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ADC 300 | Degree to Career Success | 1 |
| ADC 490 | Capstone | 3 |
| BUAD 185 | Business Communication | 3 |
| BUAD 270 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| BUAD 300 | Business Ethics | 3 |
| BUAD 333 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| BUAD 335 | Marketing Communications | 3 |
| BUAD 350 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| BUAD 355 | Finance for the Non-Financial Manager | 3 |
| BUAD 397 | Special Topics (Introduction to Sales) | 6 |
| COM 274 | Public Relations Communication | 3 |
| COM 346 | Multimedia Communication | 3 |
| COM 371 | Small Group and Conflict Management | 3 |
| COM 375 | Social Media Skills | 3 |
| COM 377 | Intercultural Communication in the Digital Age | 3 |
| ENG 302 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| Total Credits | 52 | |
Digital Marketing Specialization (optional with Business Communication major):
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 173 | Foundation Design: Digital Art and Design | 3 |
| BUAD 327 | Social Media Marketing | 3 |
| BUAD 345 | Consumer Behavior | 3 |
| COM 474 | Campaign Planning in Advertising and Public Information | 3 |
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ADC 300 | Degree to Career Success | 1 |
| BUAD 185 | Business Communication | 3 |
| COM 274 | Public Relations Communication | 3 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Spring | ||
| BUAD 270 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| COM 375 | Social Media Skills | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| COM 377 | Intercultural Communication in the Digital Age | 3 |
| ENG 302 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| ACC 201 | Introduction to Financial Accounting | 3 |
| BUAD 333 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| BUAD 335 | Marketing Communications | 3 |
| COM 346 | Multimedia Communication | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| BUAD 300 | Business Ethics | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| BUAD 355 | Finance for the Non-Financial Manager | 3 |
| COM 371 | Small Group and Conflict Management | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| BUAD 350 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| ADC 490 | Capstone | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 46 | |
Optional Digital Marketing Specialization
| Year Four | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ART 173 | Foundation Design: Digital Art and Design | 3 |
| BUAD 327 | Social Media Marketing | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| BUAD 345 | Consumer Behavior | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Summer | ||
| COM 474 | Campaign Planning in Advertising and Public Information | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Careers
Career preparation starts your first year at Western and is the primary focus of every degree.
Visit Career Services in Library 120 or online to discover your interests, define your goals, and land the career of your dreams.
The data below is automatically collected by Burning Glass Technologies, a firm that sources job market data and provides analytics. The statistics illustrate general trends in U.S. careers, but do not precisely represent every job and salary.
Scholarships
Eligibility
- ADC students enrolled in 15 credits or more per school year in ADC program
- 2.75 cumulative GPA or greater
Description
This is a $1500 per student scholarship awarded annually for two years, to be applied to tuition and fees.
Selected by: The ADC Program
Application:
No scholarship application is needed but students must be admitted into ADC and apply for financial aid to receive award. Contact ADC for scholarship deadline and information. 970-943-3885, adc@western.edu
Eligibility
- Impacted/displaced by COVID-19 pandemic
- Minimum GPA of 2.75 or higher
- Enrolled in a minimum of 15 credits per academic year
- Must participate in the ADC Adult Learner mentoring program
Description
- This is a $1,500 scholarship awarded annually
Application
- No scholarship application is needed but students must self-report COVID displacement upon submitting initial application and must apply for financial aid through FAFSA. Contact ADC for more information – 970.943.3885
Eligibility
- Recipients must have not been enrolled in an institution or higher education for two or more consecutive semesters
- Minimum GPA of 2.75 or higher
- Enrolled in a minimum of 15 credits per academic year
- Must participate in the ADC Adult Learner mentoring program
Description
- This is a $1,500 scholarship awarded annually.
Application
- No scholarship application needed but students must show through transcripts that they have not been enrolled in an institution or higher education for two or more consecutive semesters prior to the applying to the ADC program.
Beyond The Classroom
Take your education to the workplace.
Our dedicated faculty and support teams are experts in online education, giving you personalized assistance for planning, coursework and more. Online learning resources are also available 24 hours a day.
Understanding the world of business
A strong awareness of standard business operations helps you view communication through a business-oriented lens and allow you to write messages that promote the success of any organization.
News & Research
Additional Resources
Department Information
Adult Degree Completion
Department Chairperson
Terry Schliesman, Ph.D.Professor of Communication Arts, Adult Degree Completion Program Director
Adult Degree Completion Success Advisor
Eliza Worley-EkstromAdult Degree Completion Success Advisor
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Kelley Hall 218
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231