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College of Arts & Sciences

Organizational Communication

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Why pursue a degree in organizational communication at North Central College?

Organizational communication professionals are successful in hundreds of career paths. Typically, their skills are emphasized in roles like social and digital media, public relations, marketing, advertising, human resources, writing, politics, fundraising, sales and more. Majoring in Organizational Communication gives you the edge in a professional or corporate environment. By studying organizational communication, you’ll learn the ins and outs of internal (corporate culture and human resources) and external (media, marketing, client relations). This program is designed to provide you with excellent oral and written communication skills. At North Central College you will learn practical application working with real-world clients. As an expert communicator, you can persuade, dissuade and interpret professionally. With a range of career opportunities, an Organizational Communication major helps you develop the kinds of people skills that top employers seek in college graduates.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN

  • Developing organizational talent and teams
  • Managing complex projects and events
  • Improving communication practices
  • Connecting with diverse audiences

then a degree in ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION might be for you.

Why study organizational communication at North Central College? 

In the Classroom:

Coursework topics:

  • Business and Professional Communication
  • Digital Writing
  • Global Media in a Digital Age
  • Group Interaction
  • Health Communication
  • Intercultural Communication
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Organizational Communication
  • Persuasion Theory
  • Public Relations
  • Public Speaking
  • Rhetoric and Public Discourse

Beyond the Classroom

As an organizational communications major, you can: 

  • Apply for internships and jobs through robust faculty and alumni networks or the Center for Career and Professional Development.
  • Join Cardinal PR, the public relations club, which works on real-world client-based projects.
  • Receive individualized coaching with our nationally ranked speech and debate team.
  • Achieve high honors at regional and national speech competitions.
  • Join the National Communication Association’s official honor society Lambda Pi Eta.
  • Conduct research and present your findings at professional conferences or at North Central’s own Rall Symposium for Student Research.
  • Get published in the award-winning Chronicle news magazine and ncclinked.com news website.
  • Go LIVE on the air, manage social media channels, or become a producer at the student-run radio station WONC, named the best college radio station in the country in 2015.
  • Study abroad to complement your degree.

More Department information

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Organizational Communication, B.A.

Organizational Communication focuses on how people communicate in diverse organizational contexts.  Students learn to think critically about communication practices in organizations, as well as develop specific skills for the development, presentation, and analysis of messages for different organizational stakeholders.  Depending on the specific courses selected, as well as recommended coursework in a minor, students are prepared for positions in business, industry, non-profit, health care, community and governmental organizations, and may take career paths in internal corporate communication, human resources, training and development, media and community relations, public relations, sales and marketing, customer/client service, community advocacy, technical communication, and management.

Because the major is compatible with a number of fields, and in order to develop expertise in a subject related to their career goals, students are strongly encouraged to pursue a minor. Please consult with Communication faculty and your academic advisor.

The Communication faculty also highly recommend that majors incorporate field experience working in a professional environment by completing at least one internship.  Students should work closely with faculty and Career Services to identify appropriate internship opportunities.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Communication and Media Studies.

Core Courses

Communication Context

One of the following:

Advanced Communication

Two of the following:

Note:

*Completion of COMM 110 or CARD 102 is assumed; it is a prerequisite for several core courses.

Writing Courses

Two of the following:

Foreign Language

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Philosophy Course

Organizational Communication Minor

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Communication and Media Studies.

At least 20 credit hours to include:

Two of the following:

Organizational Communication Internships and Jobs

A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.

Internships

  • Sports marketing intern, Chicago Bulls/ Sox Training Academy, Lisle, Ill.
  • Marketing and public relations intern, First Nonprofit Insurance Company, Chicago
  • Membership and communications intern, Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, Chicago
  • Sales intern, Live Nation Motorsports, Aurora, Ill.

Graduate Schools

Recent graduates in organizational communication have been accepted at:

  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Michigan State University
  • University of Oklahoma
  • The John Marshall Law School, Chicago
  • University of Iowa
  • Northwestern University
  • University of Colorado-Boulder
  • University of South Carolina
  • Purdue University

Careers

Recent graduates in organizational communication include:

  • Senior manager, Insights and Strategic Planning, Sara Lee
  • Director of convention services, Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association
  • Training manager, Spiegel Catalog
  • Graphics manager, OfficeMax
  • Guest connections representative, Walt Disney Co.
  • Print production specialist, Abbott Laboratories
  • Assistant vice president for external affairs, North Central College

Invest in your future

Choosing the right college is a big decision. Don’t make it alone. North Central’s admission and financial aid team is here to help you design a financial aid solution that works best for you and your family.

Merit scholarships, grants, loans, campus employment - these are just some of the resources available to you. Over 95 percent of students and 100 percent of all eligible students receive aid. Let our team partner with you in finding the best value for your education.

Learn more about financial aid and costs for North Central College

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