Why enroll in Hunter’s “Business Communication” certificate program?

The National Association of Colleges and Employers ranks “communication skills” as the most important quality for job applicants and for job success. Excellence in communication contributes to success in all aspects of personal, professional, and civic life. In the July 2009 report, “Preparing Workers Today for the Jobs of Tomorrow,” the President’s Council of Economic Advisors notes, “…oral communication and critical thinking/problem solving are among the most important skills labor market entrants need.”

According to Ad Age, the top 100's U.S. media revenue last year totaled $301.5 billion, surpassing $300 billion for the first time. Spending growth (0.8%) essentially paralleled growth in U.S. gross domestic product (0.4%) in 2008, the first year of the recession.

The Communications industry is strong and growing rapidly. So, if you’re interested in entering a burgeoning market the “Business Communication” certificate program will provide you with a valuable credential and custom-designed courses intended to give you the skills needed to negotiate your way into a successful career in Communications.

Program Requirements

The Business Communication Certificate will consist of 8 required courses and 2 electives.

Registration and Tuition
The tuition is $3,200 plus one time $20 registration fee, or you can register for each course individually, with a $20.00 registration fee per semester. Payment plans can be arranged. Please contact our bursar office at 212.772.4292. To register for courses please click on the Course Browser/Registration.

Payment plans are available. Please contact 212.650.3850.

General Description of the Certificate Program

Career Opportunities (What can I do with this certificate?)
The Graduate Certificate in Business Communication is designed for both experienced professionals and those interested in entering the field of communication:

• Writers for print, online, & TV/Radio
• Reporters for print, online, & TV/Radio
• Editors for print, online, & TV/Radio
• Proofreaders for print, online, & TV/Radio
• Fact-checkers/researchers (print, online, TV/Radio)
• Advertising/marketing writers and editors
• Public Relations professionals
• Communications managers
• Professionals who want to improve their business communications skills

The above skills can be used in PR firms, educational institutions, the health care industry, not for profits, and for profit organizations.

The program has been designed to be completed in one year. However, students will have a maximum of 2 years to complete the program. Each class will be graded and attendance will be taken.

Courses should be taken in the order listed, and some may have some prerequisites. The last course in the program will be Public Relations, where students will be asked to design a PR campaign as a final project using skills learned in the other courses. Classes will be offered during the evening and some classes might be offered during weekends (e.g., elective workshops). Please review the course catalog for the current semester’s offerings and course descriptions.

Application Process
To enter the program, interested applicants must have:

• a high school diploma or GED,
• be proficient in English (written and spoken).

Before enrollment an interview will be set up with the student. If the student's writing does not meet the standard, the student will be asked to take a writing remedial course. A registration form must be completed and submitted to the Continuing Education office.

Books
The program will have a list of suggested texts, but there will be no mandatory texts. Materials developed by faculty will be distributed as handouts.

After having successfully completed the program, the student receives a Certificate issued by Continuing Education as well as a transcript. Additionally, a transcript is kept on file for 7 years in the Continuing Education office.

Magazine Writing
If you’re serious about pursuing a part-time or full-time career in journalism, this ten-week workshop will provide you with the skills and industry savvy needed to land assignments and get published. You’ll learn what makes a marketable article idea and understand the basics to writing compelling and effective queries. Topics to be considered will include: analyzing different needs of magazines, the art of the interview, and the various types of articles such as service pieces, features, reviews, news, and profiles. By the end of the semester, students will have written a restaurant review, a profile, a draft of a personal essay, and one query letter. After taking this class, even if you’ve never written an article or review before, you’ll have a clear understanding of what it takes to turn your writing aspirations into reality.

Marketing 101
Students will be taught the core marketing activities, including segmentation, research, consumer behavior, product strategy, pricing, promotion and distribution. Marketing principles, policies and practices used by manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers will also be covered. The factors of consumer behavior and motivation will be analyzed to provide an understanding of market planning. The system of distribution of goods from the producer to the consumer will also be discussed.

Business Writing
This class is designed to help intermediate and advanced speakers of English refine grammar and learn specialized terminology for use in business. The course will address specific vocabulary, written and oral language and improve workplace interactions in order to enhance professional communication.

Speaking Persuasively
Students will vastly improve their public speaking skills while learning and practicing the art of persuasion. Topics include: stage fright, body language, psychological variables of an audience, changing attitudes, speech organization, assertive communication and impromptu speaking.

Print Media: Books, Magazines, & Newspapers
The world of publishing can be a bit intimidating to a budding journalist or a mom with a great children's story idea, but with the help of this course, which offers an in-depth look into print media. anyone can prepare for a career in publishing.  Topics we’ll consider include: independent vs. mainstream publishing houses, agents, niche publishing, writing, and marketing basics.  Aside from learning what makes a publication successful and who plays what role, students will develop their own publication proposal and take a look at the newest additions to the publishing world, such as e-books and online self-publishing.

Editing & Publishing Workshop
The role of the editor and proofreader is invaluable. One missed error can cost a company tens of thousands of dollars. In this course students will learn basic copy-editing and proofreading skills that they can take into the work world as a freelance or full-time editor or proofreader. You will also learn the importance of style sheets and how to draft a good one, how to think like an editor, and how to query authors. Assignments will include editing articles from the print media, creating headlines that fit specific formats, and choosing photos that best illustrate your manuscript. By the end of the class students will have a solid foundation to interview for a job as an editor or proofreader in a variety of communications specialties.

New Media: Writing for the Web and Beyond
Social networking is a booming internet industry that can be utilized for business growth and promotion by even the most technologically challenged.  This course will explore the advantages of internet outlets, such as blogging and Facebook, and teach students how to use these tools for the benefit of their business no matter the individual's level of online communication knowledge. By the end of the course, students will have prepared web-based publications, learned the fundamentals needed to create dialogue, and have grown familiar enough with sites like Twitter to effectively build a community around their business.

Public Relations
PR is incorporated into the functions of any successful business from Silly Bands to Starbucks.  This class addresses the idea of PR strategy and effectiveness through print, broadcast, and online outlets, as well as PR's presence in advertising, marketing, and journalism.  Students will create their
own individual press kits, including press release, fact sheet, backgrounder, and bios that you’ll be able to use to promote a product or service or pursue a career in Public Relations.

Electives

Review Writing
People read reviews to tell them where to eat, what to buy, who to wear and where they can purchase it for the best value. This course prepares students to be in the influence behind the reviews that dictate societal preferences. Students will learn what is considered desirable for editors to publish ad for the public to read, as well as the fundamentals of research, pitching, reviews, marketing strategies, and pay rates. By the end of the class, students will have received an insider's look by composing three marketable reviews and one query letter based on their experience.

Writing About Health & Medicine
The health-care communications industry is one of the most in demand specialties today -- and interest in growing.  Consumers want to read about health, fitness, and medicine, so there is a need for people who can clearly communicate health-related information, whether it’s to the patient or the clinician. The course will give students a working knowledge of how to formulate a health, fitness, or medical article or book idea, how to present their idea to an editor, and how to interview and research. By the end of the class students will have written at least two health-related pieces.

Course Status
If enrollment for a course does not reach a required level, the course will be canceled. However, when maximum enrollment is reached, the course will be closed immediately and the names of interested registrants will be put on a wait list and notified on a “first come” basis if an opening occurs. Please register early to avoid disappointment.

Grades
Students’ progress is measured through examinations, research and writing assignments, and classroom participation. A grade of A, B, or C is required in each course certification. A passing grade is 73=C+.

Attendance Requirements
Students are required to attend all the classes and be on time. If absence occurs, the student is responsible for making up missed assignments. The instructor maintains and submits attendance records for each student.

Final Exams
Because of the nature of the courses and the amount of writing the final “projects” will act as a final exam.

Retake Policy
If a student fails a course, CE will send him or her a letter to retake the course, free of charge, within one year. This privilege can only be exercised once for the duration of the program. If a student is unable to complete or has to drop a course, please state the reason in writing and send to Continuing Education. With all retakes, the registration fee must be paid, if applicable, when registering.

Continuing Education’s certification programs are offered for no college credit. A certificate is awarded to students who successfully meet the requirements explained in the CE bulletin.