Academic Journey

Current · 1

• COM-540 · Identity & Personal Brands

  Section: 10030

  Instructor: Andrew West

  Term: 2026 D-4 (Sep - Nov)

  Start: 09/21/2026 · End: 11/29/2026

  3 credits

  In Progress

  COM-540 coursework & journal
  Official course description · COM-540

  Interactive and social media have opened up myriad opportunities for individuals to create, manage, re-create, and even fabricate their identity online. This course contends with the idea of a virtual or "second" self and the ways in which one navigates identities in a highly networked environment. Students will explore the relationship between professional and personal identities, privacy and security in online environments, and the creation of personal brands in various media. Students will have the opportunity to explore and experiment with various types of social media tools to develop an effective and active online brand.

Completed · 3

• COM-500 · Communication, Media & Society

  Section: 10114

  Instructor: Doda Lulgjuraj

  Term: 2026 D-1 (Feb - Apr)

  Start: 02/02/2026 · End: 04/12/2026

  3 credits

  Completed · Grade A

  Official course description · COM-500

  Communication, Media, and Society serves as an introduction to key concepts and theories in the study of communication and media. In this course, students will examine the foundations of the discipline of communication focusing particularly on the ways in which media and technology have impacted the study of culture, relationships, and messages. The course will explore the impact of communication on various arenas, including families, relationships, culture and the changes in communication and media over time. Students will analyze their own skills, communication patterns, networks, and resources and articulate a plan for future studies and career plans in communication.

• COM-510 · Knowledge & New Media

  Section: 10024

  Instructor: Donald Olsen

  Term: 2026 D-2 (Apr - Jun)

  Start: 04/20/2026 · End: 06/28/2026

  3 credits

  Completed · Grade A

  Official course description · COM-510

  This course contends with the evolving concept of "knowledge production" in the new media environment. It focuses on strategies for independent online research, including processes for identifying, vetting, and citing appropriate sources of information, as well as best practices for writing in the online environment. Issues of copyright, plagiarism, and ethics related to the creation of online content will be evaluated. Finally, students will explore their role as producers of mediated communication, including primary authorship and the curating of content.

• COM-530 · Law & Ethics

  Section: 10452

  Instructor: Doug Waters

  Term: 2026 D-3 (Jul - Sep)

  Start: 07/06/2026 · End: 09/13/2026

  3 credits

  Completed · Grade A

  Official course description · COM-530

  Legal issues related to communication and media in the U.S. are rapidly changing in an age where technology and the distribution of mediated messages are ubiquitous. Thus, this course contends with the major legal, ethical, and policy issues related to mass media communication particularly focusing on those issues that impact digital and public communication. Concepts related to the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, libel, obscenity, censorship, right to privacy, intellectual property, and the governance of media and digital technology will be explored. Additionally, this course asks students to contend with many ethical issues and philosophies pertinent to media and communication in the interest of articulating a personal ethical framework as a graduate communication student and practitioner.

Upcoming · 2

Listed as upcoming in the supplied mySNHU snapshot.

• COM-600 · Communication for Leadership

  Term: 2026 D-5 (Dec - Feb)

  Start: 12/07/2026 · End: 02/21/2027

  3 credits

  Upcoming

  Official course description · COM-600

  This course aims to prepare students for a variety of leadership roles in dynamic organizations and environments. Students will analyze key aspects of leadership, relationships, and organizations such as: organizational culture, conflict in interpersonal and organizational settings, organizational roles and socialization, power in personal and professional relationships, and group communication theories. Students will contend with these concepts from a personal standpoint by using examples from their own relationships and workplaces to apply best practices and improve their own communication and leadership skills. Additionally, this course takes a systems theory approach to organizations and teams, looking at the interrelationship of events, people, and ideas and the systemic impact of small and large changes.

• COM-610 · Communication by Design

  Term: 2027 D-1 (Mar - May)

  Start: 03/01/2027 · End: 05/09/2027

  3 credits

  Upcoming

  Official course description · COM-610

  Illustrations, photos, infographics, videos, animations, and dynamic interfaces often tell a consumer more about a brand or product than the product itself. It is increasingly important that media consumers and creators be fluent visual communicators. This course presents fundamentals of good visual design and presentation in media focusing on the best practices for a variety of design tools. Students will engage with key concepts related to visual production and consumption, media and web design, storytelling and narrative in visual formats, and accessibility of content for diverse audiences.

Planned · 6

Recommended terms and dates only; subject to change. Enrollment is not confirmed.

• COM-620 · Strategic Com in a New Age

  Recommended term: 2027 D-2 (May - Jul)

  Start: 05/17/2027 · End: 07/25/2027

  Recommended dates · Subject to change

  3 credits

  Planned

  Official course description · COM-620

  In today's public climate, political rhetoric is no longer just a tool of the immensely powerful or those who have access to a podium and speakers. The dissemination of mass messages can occur in any number of avenues and can reach audiences that were previously inaccessible or disinterested. Communication professionals today are in a powerful position to shape messaging and distribution strategies for many contexts: politics, popular culture, business, nonprofit advocacy, social movements, advertising, and marketing. In this course, students should develop the perspective and skill sets necessary to respond effectively and creatively to complex social problems and opportunities in written, verbal, and visual communication mediums.

• COM-565 · Communication with Media Tech

  Recommended term: 2027 D-3 (Aug - Oct)

  Start: 08/02/2027 · End: 10/10/2027

  Recommended dates · Subject to change

  3 credits

  Planned

  Official course description · COM-565

  Media technologies are changing so rapidly that those currently designated as 'new' could become obsolete before the impact to the communication field is even fully understood. Communication professionals must seek to understand the catalysts of technological changes by conceiving of them as products of the values and assumptions held by the societies that create them. This course is focused on how new media technologies have developed, how they might modify previous understandings of the relationship between technology and culture, and how they have shaped industries (particularly media industries) today. Students will investigate the practical aspect of various technologies of interest in order to become more savvy consumers and critics of emerging media tools and resources.

• COM-566 · Pen to Platform

  Recommended term: 2027 D-4 (Oct - Dec)

  Start: 10/18/2027 · End: 12/26/2027

  Recommended dates · Subject to change

  3 credits

  Planned

  Official course description · COM-566

  A corollary to and resulting challenge of new media technology is the need for messages that are applicable and effective in a myriad of different contexts. In this course, students will craft and structure written work so that it may be more easily translated to different platforms. Different writing processes, such as information mapping, will be employed to demonstrate new ways of thinking about information. Students will apply best practices for effectively communicating across different media and actualizing varied communication in their writing.

• COM-567 · Digital Tools and Teams

  Recommended term: 2028 D-1 (Jan - Mar)

  Start: 01/03/2028 · End: 03/12/2028

  Recommended dates · Subject to change

  3 credits

  Planned

  Official course description · COM-567

  Although modern technology empowers the individual to do far more with limited resources than ever before, it is certainly impossible to live and work in a vacuum in today's globalized society. Striking the balance between DIY, collaboration, and contracting help requires adept decision making and project management that must be rooted in the overall strategy and mission of the communication plan. In this course, students will explore and employ the practical resources, tools, economics, and logistics of new media and marketing. Additionally, students will determine and practice effective means for utilizing diverse networks of colleagues, mentors, clients, and critics to shape their media strategies.

• COM-568 · New Media Campaign Design

  Recommended term: 2028 D-2 (Mar - May)

  Start: 03/20/2028 · End: 05/28/2028

  Recommended dates · Subject to change

  3 credits

  Planned

  Official course description · COM-568

  Developing and executing a new media campaign requires the integration of skills, strategies, and tactics to create a cohesive, dynamic whole. Similarly, this course integrates components from previous coursework by addressing topics such as the life cycle of the campaign, campaign management strategies, effective tracking and measurement, and making modifications based on data analysis. Students will evaluate past successful and unsuccessful campaigns in order to glean and substantiate best practices in campaign design and execution. Finally, students will create structured components of new media campaigns in order to prepare for the critical assessment in the capstone course.

• COM-690 · Communication Capstone

  Recommended term: 2028 D-3 (Jun - Aug)

  Start: 06/05/2028 · End: 08/13/2028

  Recommended dates · Subject to change

  3 credits

  Planned

  Official course description · COM-690

  This capstone course integrates previous coursework and practical experience with a focus on authentic demonstration of competency in the student's chosen specialization in communication. Instead of introducing new concepts, students will synthesize prior learning to design, develop, and execute a communication campaign on their chosen subject as a culmination of their studies. The course will be structured around this critical task, so that students have the appropriate support and resources required to be successful.