Strategic Communication, B.A. - BDC program

Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 124

Minimum cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0

Minimum number of credits to complete the major: 124

School: School of Arts and Sciences

Department: Interdisciplinary

The Bachelor’s Degree Completion (BDC) program offers a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication (B.A. in SCM). The BDC program offers a flexible, manageable, and academically meaningful way for students to complete their bachelor’s degree at Merrimack College. Tailored to returning students and adult learners, the BDC program offers a clear, well-defined, and achievable path to degree completion, with a career-focused and academically rigorous curriculum. This program prepares students for success in today’s diverse and dynamic workplace.

Distinct from the traditional full-time on-ground program, the BDC program features eight-week courses taught online. It also provides one-on-one academic advising, as well as professional and career development coaching. The B.A. in SCM requires the completion of a minimum of 124 credits, including a minimum of:

12 credits in the Professional Core
28 credits in the Arts and Sciences Core
40 credits in the Strategic Communication Major
40 credits in Open Electives
4 credits in the Capstone Experience

Students may transfer a maximum of up to 90 credits for previous college coursework, prior learning, and/or professional equivalencies.

Major Requirements

Required Courses

COM 1020 - Public Communication Credits: 4
COM 2801 - Introduction to Communication Credits: 4
COM 3401 - Principles of Public Relations Credits: 4
COM 3403 - Writing for Strategic Communication Credits: 4

Communication Elective Courses

Choose five courses from the following:

COM 3529 - The Future of Media: Integrated Marketing Communication Credits: 4
COM 3621 - Conflict Management Credits: 4
COM 3742 - Communication and Nonprofit Organizing Credits: 4
COM 4500 - Communication and Advocacy Credits: 4
COM 4510 - Persuasion and Social Influence Credits: 4
COM 4531 - Intercultural Communication Credits: 4
COM 4540 - Crisis Communication Credits: 4
COM 4543 - Lying and Deception Credits: 4
COM 4705 - Leadership and Collaboration Credits: 4

Interdisciplinary Elective Courses

Choose one course from the following:

LDR 1010 - Foundations in Leadership Credits: 4
LDR 2780 - Leadership: Principles, Power and Persuasion Credits: 4
MGT 3120 - Organizational Behavior Credits: 4
MGT 3410 - Human Resource Management Credits: 4
MKT 2205 - Principles of Marketing Credits: 4
MKT 3400 - Social Media Marketing Credits: 4
PSY 2200 - Social Psychology Credits: 4
WGS 2310 - Gender and Diversity in Leadership Credits: 4

The Professional Core

Comprising three courses (12 credits), the Professional Core is required of all students in the BDC program. The three Professional Core courses form the foundation of a general education requirement unique to this program, by including one course in the Humanities, one in the Social Sciences, and one in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

All three courses emphasize strengthening the transferable skills employers desire: effective communication (oral and written), critical thinking, ethical judgment and decision making, effective teamwork, the ability to work independently, initiative, proactive planning, and real-world applications.

To create a homogeneous and uniquely Merrimack experience, all students in the BDC program will take these courses at Merrimack College. Students who have earned an associate’s degree are required to take only two Professional Core courses. Previous Merrimack College students who return to the College and have successfully completed the Philosophy and Religious and Theological Studies requirements in the Liberal Studies Core curriculum used in the day-school program do not have to complete HUM 1100 .

The Arts and Sciences Core

The BDC program allows students to complete their degree by choosing courses based on their interests and goals. All students in the SCM degree will complete 28 credits in Applied Arts and Sciences Electives. The 7 courses (28 credits) in the Arts and Sciences Core must count as either STEM, Humanities or Social Science courses at Merrimack.

The Capstone Experience

AAS 4000 Applied Arts and Sciences Capstone, the four-credit capstone experience, is required for the SCM degree in the BDC program and may be taken once a student has achieved senior status (93 completed credits). This culminating experience provides a unique opportunity for students to bridge the skills they acquired during their post-secondary career with their future goals/aspirations. The capstone will be designed by the student in consultation with the faculty teaching the course. A capstone proposal must be submitted and approved by a member of the faculty. Students are encouraged to start thinking about their capstone as soon as they enroll in the program.