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Corporate Communication Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why corporate communication?
    A lot of people are interested in mass communication, but there just aren’t that many jobs at TV and radio stations or in the movie biz. Others are interested in journalism, but at a time when newspapers are folding every day, that may not be the wisest career path. Other people are interested in print and Web design and computer graphics. Still others are interested in advertising and public relations, not so much in the marketing research, but in the creation of ads and promotional campaigns. The Corporate Communication program combines all these areas and helps prepare you for jobs in the communication departments of businesses, nonprofits and government agencies, the kinds of places where you’re going to have to write press releases, design brochures, build and maintain websites, connect through social media and create lots of other communication-related pieces.
  • What if I’m more interested in one area than another?
    As a corporate communication major, you’ll get a little bit of a lot of things, but you’ll also have a set of electives which you can use to specialize in electronic or print design, professional writing, advertising and public relations, video and audio production, media analysis, business and more. It’s almost like a minor within the major.

    If you’re mainly interested in things we don’t offer, we’re probably not the best place for you. That said, we do offer you four ways to take courses outside of our standard offerings: First, you can take a course at any other USM institution—Towson University; the University of Maryland, Baltimore County; the University of Maryland, College Park; Coppin State University and more. Second, you can take courses at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Third, you can design your own course via our independent study option (PDF). And finally, if your GPA is 3.5 or higher, you can take some graduate Publications Design program courses and count them toward your B.S. in Corporate Communication. Your adviser can talk with you more about these possibilities.
  • I’m transferring from another institution and I wasn’t a communication major. Will I have a lot to make up?
    Students enter the program from a variety of backgrounds: from production areas such as photography, video and graphic design to English, business, general studies and other liberal arts disciplines. We hope you have strong writing and speaking skills as well as the ability to learn and find your way around various computer programs. Beyond that, we’ll teach you the specifics once you’re here. The vast majority of students transferring into the Corporate Communication program can graduate with the standard 120 credits and not have to take additional courses.

  • I’ve been out of school for several years and am a little reluctant to come back to classes full of “kids.”

    Don’t worry: Corporate communication classes are populated with geezers as well as kids and almost everything in between.
  • After I graduate, what kind of job can I expect to land?
    Our approach to communication is interdisciplinary but career focused. It will prepare you for a multitude of jobs. UB’s Corporate Communication program grads have gotten jobs as graphic designers, audio/video producers, communications specialists, copywriters, events planners, journalists, marketing directors, media relations specialists, publication designers, public relations specialists, project managers, technical writers, Web designers and more. They’ve also used their degree as a stepping stone to a variety of graduate school programs across the country.

    By the way, our very best students can take up to 9 graduate credits and count them toward their corporate communication degree and their publications design graduate degree, if they decide to continue in our master’s program. Your adviser can tell you more about our Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Option.
  • Can you help me find an internship?
    You betcha! We’ve been helping corporate communication majors find internships for more than 20 years. Consequently, we have a big pool of possible internships for you. We know a lot of good ones—and we also know some to steer you away from! Based on your interests, skill levels and various constraints (day or night? distance from home? etc.), we’ll suggest a few that you can pursue. Some students have their own contacts and so find their own. Our main concern is helping you find an internship that will benefit you in a significant way. For more information on internships, view the Corporate Communication Internship Handout (PDF).
  • I have a full-time job. Do I have to do an internship?
    No, but we do encourage it. You know that catch 22 about not being able to get a job because you don’t have experience because you can’t get a job because you don’t have experience? An internship gives you that experience as well as a chance to hone your skills, see what a certain kind of communication-related work environment is like and connect yourself to people in the profession. A number of our students have gotten jobs either directly or indirectly from their internships. Occasionally, either the scheduling just can’t work (but it usually can) or a student already has significant communication work experience. Those students can replace the internship requirement with another course that helps them prepare a portfolio of their work for their job search. (Students who do internships can also take Portfolio Development as one of their electives).
  • Why is there a “participation” requirement?
    Important as your classes are, they are only one of many ways to prepare for your career. There are also lectures and workshops, professional association meetings and conferences, and many other opportunities for growth, both on campus and off. You learn so much from listening and talking to people in the field. We consider that a valuable part of your UB learning experience and so ask all of our corporate communication majors to take advantage of at least five of these opportunities during their time at UB. For more information on this requirement, view the Participation Requirement Handout (PDF).
  • I work during the day. Is it possible to complete this program at night?
    We offer corporate communication courses both day and night. You can be a day-only student, a night-only student, or you can mix and match.
  • Do you offer courses online?
    Although the University offers its upper-level general-education courses online, and many corporate communication courses have online components, the Corporate Communication program is not available exclusively online.
  • How long will it take to finish the program?
    If you’re entering as a freshman, it will take you four years. If you’re transferring, it depends on the number of credits you transfer and how many classes you take each semester. A student who transfers an A.A. degree from a Maryland community college and attends full time (15 credits a semester) can complete the program in two years. Most part-time students take two or three courses per semester and graduate in about four years.
  • Can I visit a class?
    Sure. Let us know when you want to come, and we’ll arrange the visit.