traditional undergraduate on campus

Professional Communication

Trevecca’s Associate of Science in professional communication is a two-year degree program that equips you with the written, oral, visual and digital communication skills you need to excel in the workplace. This versatile and flexible program lets you tailor your coursework to match your unique interests and goals, whether they involve a professional career or continued education.

Program Benefits

  • Learn from faculty who possess high degrees in their fields, who have relevant and valuable real-world experience and who make an effort to know you personally.
  • Gain the skills and knowledge you need to work in a variety of fields or to continue your undergraduate studies in a four-year program. 
  • Enjoy our small class sizes and supportive campus community.
  • Take advantage of incredible internships and job opportunities available in the exciting Nashville market.

 

What to Expect

Trevecca’s professional communication program is a two-year associate degree that offers you a solid, versatile foundation on which to build your future. All organizations, businesses and industries need employees who have strong communication skills, and this program allows you to build your written, oral, visual and digital capabilities while you also learn about the communication strategies and technologies that can make today’s workplace more effective and efficient. You’ll learn to:

  • Produce a well-reasoned and well-researched argument
  • Deliver an effective oral presentation using digital technology
  • Contribute productively and cooperatively to a team project

Two of the highlights of this program are its flexibility and versatility. If you plan to continue with your studies to earn a four-year bachelor’s degree, your advisor will help you choose your four elective courses so you can complete a Bachelor of Science in either organizational communication or communication studies with an additional 10-14 communication credits. You can also choose your elective courses to make progress toward minors like interpersonal communication, multimedia journalism, media arts, dramatic arts and film production – or toward minors outside the communications department like leadership, business and information technology.



Why Choose Trevecca?

Founded in 1901 and a leader in online education for more than two decades, Trevecca helps students discover and pursue an individual calling by providing innovative instruction; cultivating a supportive, Christ-centered community; and establishing relationships that open doors.

Recognized nationally and locally for academic quality, Trevecca has earned a reputation for providing the world with servant leaders, problem solvers and difference makers. Trevecca’s holistic approach to education encompasses intellectual, social, emotional, physical and spiritual growth.

As a Christian university, we offer programs that explore the ways faith intersects with your field of study. This means you can gain your professional communication degree in a supportive, Christian community with small classroom sizes and engaged faculty members who care about you, your faith and your goals.

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Course Descriptions

Get details on all the courses you’ll complete as you work toward this degree at Trevecca.

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Financial Aid & Costs

Financial Aid & Costs

Nearly every student at Trevecca receives some form of assistance in paying for college. Learn all about the affordability of a TNU education and options for receiving aid.

Learn More

Career Opportunities

With your professional communication degree from Trevecca, you’ll be well-prepared to enter organizations or fields that require strong communication skills. You’ll also have a solid educational foundation on which to continue your undergraduate studies.




"The teachers genuinely want to see you succeed. To them, you are not just another student. Every professor cares about each individual student.”

John Keaton Trevecca graduate

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Course Descriptions

Get details on all the courses you’ll complete as you work toward this degree at Trevecca.*


Life, Calling, and Purpose
INT 1100
Students will begin a journey of self-awareness where they can identify their individual gifts and talents while considering how God can use their uniqueness within their field of interest. Goals of the course include building community, understanding leadership and service, and evaluating God's calling. Required of all first-time freshmen (those enrolling with less than 24 hours) who are younger than 24 years of age and have not taken a similar course at another accredited institution.
Principles of Intercultural Communication
COM 2025

A study of how culture affects communication behavior and intercultural relationships. This course provides a broad theoretical and contextual base that emphasizes intercultural communication competency as it relates to Western and non-Western cultures.

Business Information Technology
ITI 1900

Seeks to prepare students to use technologies that they will encounter as they pursue their calling in the world. Regardless of discipline students will need to work with databases, web technologies, publishing technologies, financial tools, online resources for Christian ministry, and perform research using computing technologies. Students will have an opportunity to explore and use these technologies in a project-based context.

Advanced Public Speaking
COM 4000

Gives students practical experience in the preparation and presentation of the speeches that are usually required in business and the professions. Areas of instruction include speech making, oral reading of reports, and speech for radio and television.

Foundations of Media Writing
COM 2620

Will teach mass communication students, regardless of their concentration, basic media writing skills. Emphasis is placed on a journalistic style of writing using AP style that is required by all media industries including radio, television, newspaper, internet, and public relations.

Principles of Public Relations
COM 3000

Surveys the development, scope, and role of public relations in society and provides training in basic public relations skills. Includes practical experience with news releases, PR campaigns, communication schedules, and media strategies.

Human Relations in Organizations
COM 2750

Examines concepts and literature useful in analyzing interpersonal behavior in an organizational setting. Includes reading, simulations, case studies, and field observation of situations involving problems of morale, productivity, leadership, authority, communication and the introduction of change.

Organizational Communication
COM 3260

Examines organizations and organizational communication within broader social, cultural, economic, and political contexts. Strategies of organizing and communicating are analyzed from the perspective that organizations are embedded in a society's beliefs, values, structures, practices, and tensions.

Leadership in the Christian Organization
COM 4560/CED 4560

A course designed to enable students to integrate leadership theory and Biblical principles into a workable philosophy of leadership. Because secular leadership theory is not always applicable in Christian organizations, careful attention is given to worldview, motivation, leadership style, team building, power, decision making, organizational culture, and conflict resolution.

CHOOSE THREE OF THE FOLLOWING
Computer Applications Using Spreadsheets and Databases
ITI 2020

Designed to review the basics and give the student an in-depth understanding with hands-on experience in using electronic spreadsheets to support business needs. In addition, this course will introduce the student to relational databases and require practical, hands-on application of many of the functions available with database technology.

Business Communication
BUS 2250

Focuses on the development of the communication skills necessary for effective management. Interpersonal, small group, and organizational communications are considered. Both written and oral communication skills are emphasized.

Leadership in the 21st Century
BUS 2500

Focuses on foundational leadership theories with an emphasis on the roles of leader, follower, and situation. Content concentrates on leadership development, leadership traits and behaviors, followership, and situational factors that impact leadership. Leadership theory will provide a solid foundation for informing future leadership practice.

Human Resources Management
BUS 3040/COM 3040

Emphasizes the role of human resources management in an effective organization. Topics include personnel planning, recruitment, selection, training, and performance appraisal, among others.

Introduction to Film and Video Production
COM 2215/ITI 2215

An introduction to the use of digital cameras for professional or personal digital filming. Training includes introduction to camera capabilities, movement, control, lighting, sound, and scene composition. Essential editing skills also introduced.

Organizational and Corporate Video Production
COM 4190/ ITI 4190

A study of the roles and points of view of the writer, producer, director and client and the dynamic relationship these participants share in the field of organizational and corporate video production. Students will produce videos for a variety of "clients" throughout the semester. Students will be working individually as well as in production groups (teams). Students will alternate roles (i.e., producer, director, PA, etc.) with each new group project. In addition to projects, assignments and specified readings, students will be required to participate in group activities both on and off campus occasionally on their own time.

Small Group Communication
COM 2810

Involves the study of theory and research of communication behavior in small problem-solving groups. Includes the effects of participants' personal characteristics and of situational constraints involved in small group interaction.

Social Influence
COM 4060

Examines the role of communication and human relations in the initiation of attitude change and development within individuals, groups, community organizations, and other cultures. Consideration will be given to persuasive theory, diffusion of innovations, conflict resolution, and the development of working relationships between and within community groups.

Feature/Magazine Writing
COM 3680

Focuses on feature style and magazine writing, with the purpose of developing the skills necessary to be able to research and write in-depth and reflective stories. This course will work in partnership with the Center for Social Justice in writing and producing the Micah Mandate magazine.

Sales Fundamentals
COM 3150/MKT 3150

Introduces the basic principles of sales success, sales theory, sales techniques, and role playing. The history of selling is emphasized along with the sales person's role in today's society. The course applies communication theory and principles to the sales situation.

Advanced Reporting and Editing
COM 2710

In this course, students will choose a beat, with the help of the instructor and the rest of the class, to cover for the entire semester. Students will read, research and write about one specific area. At the same time, each week students will study different beats in a newsroom. As much as possible, guest speakers (both in person and over the phone) will talk with students about their work on a beat. The class will simulate a newsroom as much as possible.

Voice and Articulation
COM 3170

Study of and practical experience in refining the vocal mechanism for general quality speech production. Includes intensive work with International Phonetic Alphabet and dialectology.

Accounting Fundamentals: A User's Perspective
ACT 2100

Introduces students to the basic topics in financial and managerial accounting, with the emphasis placed on managerial accounting. Demonstrates how accounting and accounting reports are used by managers, investors, and other business stakeholders.

General Education — 23-25 hours

General Elective — 0-2 hours

*For a complete list of courses, tracks and other relevant information, view the program's course catalog.