Program Coordinator/Contact
Jason McEntee, Director
School of English and Interdisciplinary Studies
Pugsley Hall 301, Box 2218
605-688-5191
Erica Quam, Professional Academic Advisor
School of Communication and Journalism
Yeager Hall 211, Box 2235
605-688-4171
Program Information
The Professional Communication minor will prepare students from all disciplines to communicate persuasively, clearly, and effectively in professional settings, thereby contributing to the economic growth of the State and region. Majors who have well-rounded communication backgrounds find careers as human resources representatives, communication specialists, lawyers, editors, publishers, copywriters, event planners, website designers, writers and free-lance writers, and grant writers in business, government, academia, and the non-profit sector. Combining the minor with majors in areas such as social sciences, natural sciences, health fields, and economics and business will provide transferable communication skills, making graduates more marketable for positions that require higher level communication skills.
Course Delivery Format
The interdisciplinary nature ensures that students will develop expertise in writing, speaking, editing, digital media, computer graphics, visual rhetoric, and desk-top publishing in standard and smart classrooms, computer labs, and field-based settings. Students will also be strongly encouraged to undertake an internship to gain expertise in “real world” settings that require high level communication skills. The internship should require that interns can put into practice high level communication skills while it also should develop specific job-related skills.
