Digital Marketing and Public Relations B.A.

1. ORAL COMMUNICATION: Students will demonstrate significant oral communication competencies in all types of public presentations. At a minimum, Communication students are expected to be able to choose a topic, gather information, narrow the focus of the topic, and present a logical, cohesive, well-structured, informative or persuasive oration that is 5-10 minutes in length.

2. WRITTEN COMMUNICATION: Writing and speaking are symbiotic competencies that enable individuals to communicate with mass audiences. The written communication competency requires graduating students to show proficiency in standard English expression in both professional and academic writing styles. Specifically, students must be able to personally demonstrate abilities in writing content, grammar, spelling, style and form.

3. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: Students will develop effective interpersonal communication skills that will enable them to become valued members of dyadic or small group interactions in diverse contexts. Interpersonal competency is an integral part of all workplace teams and students who demonstrate significant interpersonal competence in this area increase their chances for success both socially and professionally. In keeping with the performative nature of the discipline, students must demonstrate their ability to actively interact verbally and nonverbally with fellow classmates in group and individual problem-solving interactions.

4. CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Students will develop their critical thinking skills and information literacy. This competency assumes that students will develop the critical thinking ability and research competencies to source and analyze evidence (spoken, written or visual) for its relevance and validity, and be able to draw reasonable conclusions from the information and apply to the propositions they are advocating. Students must be able to demonstrate their critical thinking skills through visual, oral and written self-advocacy.

5. TECHNOLOGICAL LITERACY: Students must develop digital fluency—the ability to develop personal competencies in one area of digital skills that is transferable to another. This includes demonstrating proficiency (using eye-hand coordination and motor skills) in the use of industry-standard hardware and software tools, media applications and specialized equipment specific to their area of concentration and coursework, as well as foundational digital skills that inform all student activities.
6 VISUAL COMMUNICATION: Students will develop the critical skills needed to communicate effectively through visual media and become more informed, thoughtful consumers of visual content.

Core Curriculum Requirements 150
Digital Marketing and Public Relations Major Requirements49
General Electives21
Total Units120

Digital Marketing Marketing and Public Relations Major Requirements

COMM-130Introduction to Communication3
COMM-220Elements of Storytelling3
COMM-258Christianity and Artistic Culture3
COMM-273Visual Technology3
COMM-290Intro to Interpersonal Communication3
COMM-378Intro to Public Relations3
COMM-380Public Relations Campaigns3
COMM-383Artificial Intelligence, Digital Analytics, and Market Research3
COMM-391Consumer Behavior & SEO, SEM, GEO3
COMM-404Social Media3
COMM-413Preparing for Post Graduation1
COMM-450Internship3
COMM-464CMedia Criticism3
or COMM-496
COMM-497
Senior Project: Development/Planning
and Senior Project: Implementation
MRKT-360Principles of Marketing3
MRKT-464Digital Strategic Marketing3
Electives (choose 6 units from the following)6
Business Ethics
Knowledge Management and Data Interpretation
Digital Advocacy
Crisis Communication
Persuasion
Design Thinking and Innovation
Sales & Sales Management
Multinational Marketing
Special Topic in Marketing
Action Sports Marketing
Total Units49

Disclaimer: This sample Four Year Plan is provided as a guide for the recommended sequencing of courses. Vanguard University requires that students complete a minimum of 120 units of required course work as outlined on the Requirements tab in order to receive a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. It is the student's responsibility to confirm with the department the course rotation before enrolling in courses. If applicable, please note the footnotes at the bottom of the page for additional information related to courses listed in a particular year and term. Questions? Contact the Department of Communication. 

Study Abroad Participation: Students interested in participating in the university's Study Abroad programs are encouraged to reach out to the Global Education and Outreach Office for more information and collaboration in their academic course planning. Students using Education and Training Benefits through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs are encouraged to also reach out to the School Certifying Official for more information regarding how benefits can be applied.