Degree Completion - Core Course Descriptions

B.B.A. - B.S. Communication - B.S. Human Services


Bachelor of Business Administration, Management

Adult and Prior Learning (3)
Learners will explore the non-traditional nature of adult education and complete various self-assessment instruments designed to provide a cognitive base for personal understanding and career planning. The course will guide learners through the steps leading to the preparation of a portfolio for credit for learning through life experience.

Directed Research (3)
Learners explore research resources and methods to conduct and document a work-related research project.

Computer Applications (3)
Learners use word-processing, spreadsheet, database and electronic communication applications to complete work-related documents and tasks.

Managerial Economics (3)
Learners explore principles of economics essential for managers, including the U.S. economy, national output, employment levels, economic growth, inflation and a global perspective.

Organizations and Environments (3)
Learners apply management theories to analyze their work environments in view of organizational structure and environments, managerial roles, and individual and group processes.

Marketing in a Global Economy (3)
Learners investigate basic marketing theory and terminology through the analysis of workplace practices and case studies. They will identify, critical marketing data and develop solutions to problems in their work environments.

Accounting Principles for Managers (3)
Learners survey financial tools available to the manager in decision making and learn to read and understand accounting documents, including income statements, balance sheets, cash flow projections, budgets, changes in financial position, and ratio analysis.

Business Through The Eyes of Faith (3)
Learners apply Biblical principles to guide business decision making and values formation.

The Legal Environment of Business (3)
Learners survey laws regulating business activities, principles governing contracts, negotiable instruments and sales including research of laws applicable to their work environment.

Management Communication (3)
Learners demonstrate writing and speaking skills essential for effective managers. Studies include intercultural communication, gender- and diversity- related issues, media, crisis, and conflict resolution.

Statistical Analysis (3)
Learners analyze and evaluate problem-solving techniques. They will define, research, analyze, and evaluate a problem requiring a solution from their work environment. Specific statistical information covered includes identifying and measuring objectives, collection of data, working with significance levels, analyzing variance, and constructing questionnaires.

Finance Fundamentals (3)
Learners study principles and problems involved in the finance function of firms, including taxes, cash flow, capital management, budgets, reorganization, and investments.

Managing Human Resources (3)
Learners analyze their work environment and methods of planning, staffing, training, and developing human resources. A survey of assessment, compensation, and labor relations strategies will be presented, as well as the legal aspects of human resource management.

Managerial and Manufacturing Decisions (3)
Students will apply quantitative techniques, using mathematical models, to assist in the decision-making function of management.

Essential Christianity in the Corporate Culture (3)
Learners will evaluate the contemporary corporate culture (its institutions, technologies, transactions, and practices) in light of moral principles derived from a Christian worldview.

Directed Research (3)
Identification, analysis, and solution of a work-related problem. Oral presentation.


Communications Course Descriptions

Term 1

Adult and Prior Learning Assessment (3)
Learners will explore the nontraditional nature of adult education and complete various self-assessment instruments designed to provide a cognitive base for personal understanding and career planning in the field of communication.

Introduction to Mass Communication (3)
Learners analyze traditional mass media from both an historical and a cultural perspective. Special attention is given to media theories and effects, media operations, and social and economic problems in the media. Studies include print and electronic media, the Internet, and mass media ethics and law.

Interpersonal Communication Theory (3)
Learners apply communication theories to analyze their work and social environments. Topics include communication system theory, language discourse, message reception and receiving, social and cultural realities, interpersonal and trait theories, and critical theories. A properly documented research paper on a communication theory is the capstone of the course.

Media and Feature Writing (3)
Learners demonstrate their abilities to write and edit for all forms of media, including print, electronic media and advertising/public relations. Includes practical experience in information gathering, organizing, and writing with emphasis on style, structure, and techniques appropriate to the various media formats.

Communication Through the Eyes of Faith (3)
Learners apply biblical principles to guide business and personal decision-making and values formation, as well as to professional communication situations.

Term 2

Broadcast Communication (3)
Learners explore the “how-tos” of radio and television. This course provides practical training with theory-based instruction as students begin working with audio and video production techniques, electronic writing formats and methods used to produce on-air programming and television productions.

Technical Writing (3)
Learners demonstrate their skills in writing tasks specifically encountered in the work world. These include various types of business correspondence, mechanism and process description, instructions, proposals, and reports and manuals.

Desktop Publishing/Magazine Editing and Design (3)
Learners demonstrate designing and editing skills essential to creating a magazine from the initial concept to a comprehensive mock magazine. Specific attention is given to the principles of design, typography, paper and ink, print estimating and product delivery. Industry-standard software, including Quark press, Photoshop and/or Illustrator, will be used for the final project that will become a part of the learner’s future portfolio.

Term 3

News Reporting/Editorial and Copyediting (4)
Learners explore news judgments and methods of gathering and writing news. The course also includes the theory and practice of editing copy, writing headlines and designing newspaper pages.

Film Production and Criticism (3)
Learners explore the film industry, specifically basic film production and digital film technologies. This course emphasizes motion photography, film editing, digital video and non-linear editing. Also covered are film genre and history.

Web Design (3)
Learners are introduced to the development of computer media on the World Wide Web using text, visuals, animation, audio and video. Topics of study include Flash and JavaScript programs, Web page design, and production of multimedia elements for websites.

Term 4

Electronic Media/Scriptwriting and Performance (3)
Learners develop microphone and camera skills essential to successful communication through electronic media. Specific “how-to” techniques for announcing, delivering news, interviewing, teleconferencing and doing press conferences give learners insight and practice in communicating to an audience.

Small Group and Organizational Communication (3)
Learners develop an awareness of group dynamics and the employment of small groups in the processes of information seeking and problem-solving. Emphasis is given to the theory and practice of communication in organizations, as well as practical application through the assessment and identification of communication problems in organizations.

Advertising and Public Relations (3)
Learners discover the basic techniques of advertising and public relations. Topics covered include copywriting, designing, strategy and execution. Careful consideration is given to clarifying the differences, but also the important interrelationships between advertising and public relations.

Christian Media Ethics in the Corporate Culture (3)
Learners evaluate personal values, ethics and worldviews in light of their media knowledge and biblical perspective. This capstone course in Christian ethics sets the learner on a career path of excellence.


Human Services Course Descriptions

Term 1

Behavioral Sciences Seminar (3)
Learners will be introduced the Human Services program and exposed to the educational and professional options available. Opportunities for self-assessment are offered and guidance is given on how to maximize learning styles with course demands. Students are also oriented to professional writing and strategies for success in the Human Services program.

Introduction to Human Services (3)
Learners will study the philosophy, historical development, and major concepts of human services. The course serves as an introduction to the many facets of human services as a profession, including practice with special populations. Learners will be challenged to develop an understanding of the integration of professional practice with Christian perspectives.

Essential Christianity and the Human Services (3)
Learners will receive additional instruction in the concepts related to the integration of their faith with the Human Services profession. The course addresses some of the central concerns of the Christian life, with emphasis on three main areas: (1) spiritual formation for the learner and client, (2) biblical interpretation, and (3) integration of faith and learning within the framework of a Christian worldview in the Human Services.

Community Interventions to Social Problems (3)
Learners will study selected social problems addressed by Human Service workers for the purpose of developing an understanding of the severity of the problems, as well as theories related to their root causes. They will explore approaches to the resolution of these problems within a Judeo-Christian framework.

Term 2

Introduction to Counseling (3)
Learners will be introduced to the major schools of counseling and psychotherapy and will be assisted in developing a personal, theoretical orientation to Human Services. Attention is given to the underlying theoretical assumptions of each approach. Faith integration is emphasized through application of theories to particular case studies and in reaction papers.

Gender and Cultural Diversity (3)
Learners will be engaged in a study of the relationship between minority and majority groups in the United States and the world. The origins of prejudice from historical and sociological perspectives and theories of inter-group relations are addressed. The development of effective Human Services programs for people of differing cultures will be addressed.

Human Growth and Development (3)
Learners will survey the growth and development of the human organism. The biological and social stages of growth from conception to death are considered, with emphasis on the interaction of bio-psycho-social stresses on contemporary human development.

Assessment and Case Management (3)
Learners will study case management, a core component of service delivery in every sector of human services. Learners in this course will address case management roles, functions, models, fields of service, managed care, practice functions and policy issues.

Term 3

Helping Skills in Human Services (3)
Learners in this course will be exposed to core communication skills essential to developing helping relationships. Emphasis is on experiential role-playing and practice in nonverbal expression, active listening, exploration, constructive confrontation, conflict resolution and other interviewing skills essential to a professional helper. The end result of this course should be not only the development of these skills but also the wisdom to know when to use them.

Psychopathology (3)
Learners will address the theoretical approaches to psychopathology, the assessment of mental disorders, and a sampling of the present day classification system of disorders with respect to symptomatology and treatment. They will become familiar with the DSM-IV and assessment of Human Services clients.

Sociology of the Family (3)
Learners will study the family as a social institution, including its functions and history, modern trends and changes and the relationship between the parent and child. Course application will provide opportunities to develop community and family interventions.

Practicum Seminar (3)
Learners will receive an orientation to the practicum placement and discuss issues impacting professional practice as human services workers. The practicum experience will include direct practice in a local social service agency under close professional supervision. Students are expected to provide 50 clock hours of service for each hour of academic credit.

Term 4

Introduction to Applied Group Process (3)
Learners will be introduced to the psychological dynamics of groups according to the various theoretical approaches. Emphasis will be given to both the knowledge content and personal awareness derived from group participation. Consideration is given to the applications of group skills in both secular and Christian settings.

Statistical Analysis (3)
Learners will be provided essential tools for statistical analysis. These tools will include descriptive statistics, including measures of central tendency and dispersion, bivariate analysis and correlation. Learners will also learn to do hypothesis testing using the following inferential statistics: t-tests, analysis of variance, regression, and nonparametric statistics essential for research and interpreting professional literature in human services. They will learn to present and interpret data in an ethical manner.

Research Methods for Human Services (3)
Learners will be exposed to the ethical responsibilities related to research in the Human Services and the steps in conducting research. The steps presented include identifying a problem, selecting a research design, sampling, instrumentation and procedures. Students will learn to critique and to conduct research. Procedures for literature review and formulation of research reports are also addressed.

Christian Worldview in the Human Services (3)
Learners will evaluate personal values, ethics and worldviews in light of biblical perspectives in this capstone course, addressing values and Christian ethics in the Human Services.