Courses
The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular term. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the MyBU Student Portal for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.
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COM CM 735: Human Centered Design 2 (Capstone)
Human-Centered Design II advances the application of product design to complex, life-scale challenges shaping everyday human behavior and quality of life. The course centers on the design process and development of systematically integrated solutions situated within broader societal contexts through experiential and experimental approaches. In an industry landscape increasingly centered on technological acceleration and product commodification, the course re-centers attention on the human at the core of the ecosystem and on lived experience, serving as the conclusive and integrative effort of the program in its final semester. -
COM CM 736: UX Writing and Information Architecture
The course has content modeling theory, UX writing theory, information architecture theory, review of research tools for evaluating the implementation of these theories and research tools to improve an existing client project. -
COM CM 739: Social Media Strategy
Graduate Prerequisites: CM722 - Students will utilize social media analytics software as the basis for assessing and developing strategies to elevate the social media presence of brands, organizations, and campaigns. Students will learn how to collect social media data, convert data for analysis with SPSS, and apply cutting edge AI tools such as topic analysis and sentiment analysis across an array of platforms. This class prepares students to navigate the contemporary social media landscape. -
COM CM 742: Strategic Media Relations and Management
Graduate Prerequisites: CM701 AND CM707 OR CM703 - This advanced course explores the role and practice of media relations in an integrated media landscape (PESO) to create an authentic and unified organizational narrative. Students learn the strategic and proactive approach to gaining third-party credibility among journalists, influencers, targeted audiences, and stakeholders. Topics include research & media planning/evaluation, relationship building, content development & engagement, spokesperson role & training, proactive and reactive media counseling, and leveraging innovative media strategies. This course involves lectures, reading assignments, writing projects, case studies, and real-world simulations to create an interactive and engaging learning environment. -
COM CM 743: New Media & Public Relations
Graduate Prerequisites: (COMCM701) - Explores the effects of new media on the fundamental theories, models, and practices of public relations. Studies how websites, blogs, citizen journalism, social media, direct-to-consumer communication, podcasting, viral marketing, and other technology-enabled changes are affecting interpersonal, small group, and mass media relationships. Also covers and uses the interactive tools that are re-defining the practice of public relations. The course combines lecture, discussion, guest speakers, case study, and research to help students uncover and appreciate the power and potential of interactive media. -
COM CM 747: Product Management and Leadership
This course develops essential product management and leadership skills for professionals pursuing strategic roles in organizations or entrepreneurial ventures. Students gain expertise in product strategy, feature prioritization, roadmap planning, Agile workflows, stakeholder management, conflict resolution, and cross-functional leadership. Through readings, case studies, simulations, and applied projects, students learn to lead products from vision through execution while balancing user needs, business goals, and ethical considerations. The course emphasizes strategic decision-making, communication, and impact measurement. By the end of the semester, students will develop the leadership mindset needed to drive product vision, influence teams and stakeholders, and create sustainable value in both company and founder-led contexts. -
COM CM 748: Leadership Communication
This course explores the strategic role of communication in effective leadership across organizational contexts. Students will examine how leaders communicate vision, manage reputation, engage stakeholders, and guide organizations through change. Topics include thought leadership and personal brand development, internal and external communications, financial disclosures, employee engagement, and crisis response. The course also integrates the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in modern communication practices and addresses the ethical responsibilities of leadership communication. Through case studies, readings, and applied assignments, students will build the critical skills needed to lead with clarity, authenticity, and impact in today's complex communication landscape. -
COM CM 750: Advanced Writing for Media Professionals
Undergraduate Prerequisites: CM703 or CM707 - Building on writing skills and formats presented in CM703 or CM707, students work individually and in-depth on challenging writing assignments: essay analyses/critiques (drawn from The Best American Essays series); a Q & A interview; and a website, which includes a wide variety of writing formats and critical thinking --this major individual project provides students with a substantial portfolio showcase. Several collaborative workshops complete the course requirements. -
COM CM 752: Advanced Copywriting
Graduate Prerequisites: (COMCM708 & COMCM717) - This course builds on the concept development and copywriting foundations learned in prerequisite courses. Assignments will require the creation of copy for a range of audience segments and media channels. Students will learn to shape copy for video, digital, print, and social media. -
COM CM 753: Portfolio Development 1
Graduate Prerequisites: (COMCM708 & COMCM717) - Course is for graduate students who intend to work in the creative area of the advertising industry. Focus is on the principles needed to understand, conceptualize, and create an entry-level portfolio of work (print, video, digital, mobile, experiential). A workshop-like environment, mirroring an advertising agency, is augmented with lectures and case studies. -
COM CM 754: Portfolio Development 2
Graduate Prerequisites: (COMCM708 & COMCM717 & COMCM753) - A continuation of Portfolio Development I, this course continues the iterative process required to construct a competitive advertising portfolio. Students work to refine concepts, revise and strengthen the impact of the art direction and copywriting, and determine how the work should ultimately be displayed. -
COM CM 761: Advertising Special Topics
Advertising Special Topics change each semester. -
COM CM 762: Media Science Special Topics
Media Science Special Topics will change each semester. -
COM CM 763: Public Relations Special Topics
Public Relations Special Topics will change each semester. -
COM CM 764: Communication Cross-Dept. Special Topics
CM Cross-Dept. Special Topics will change each semester. -
COM CM 809: Graduate Internship
Graduate Prerequisites: one semesters of graduate study. Students enrolled in CM 809 can earn credits for completing internships they secure at advertising, public relations and integrated marketing communication agencies; communication or public affairs departments of companies, nonprofit organizations, and government entities; corporate sales or nonprofit fundraising departments; and communication-related functions at media companies. Two-credit students must work a minimum of 100 hours during the semester in which they are enrolled in CM 809. Four-credit students must work a minimum of 200 hours during the semester in which they are enrolled in CM 809 and their internship role must be with a non-Boston University entity. Graduate students are limited to four total CM 809 credits via the departmental internship coordinator or the London Study Abroad program. No more than four credits of CM 809 can count toward any graduation requirements. Faculty members and the assigned supervisor at the internship oversee student work. Students complete a detailed end-of-semester internship report, and the internship supervisor provides a thorough evaluation. Register for 2 or 4 units. -
COM CM 824: Technical Writing for Communication Research
Graduate Prerequisites: (COMCM722 & COMCM723 & COMCM724) - Teaches students to develop clear and concise research proposals and write detailed research reports incorporating appropriate methodological sequences, techniques, and strategies. Teaches students to interpret the results of quantitative analyses in a layperson's terms and relate their implications to a client, as well as to analyze the standards and pricing structure of competing agencies and available subcontractors in a given market. 1st sem. -
COM CM 901: Directed Studies
Graduate Prerequisites: Consent of advisor and instructor. Supervised reading, fieldwork, or r esearch for student's specific needs. - Supervised reading, fieldwork, or research for student's specific needs. 2 or 4 cr. -
COM CM 909: Thesis or Project Research
Graduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor - Course credits slated for students writing a thesis. -
COM CO 101: The World of Communication: The Human Storyteller
Undergraduate Corequisites: Students must have taken or be taking CAS WR120 or equivalent while ta king COM CO101. - Introduces students to many fundamental principles of communication. Students also learn about the intertwined nature of communication professions as they explore the major fields of study in communication. Guest lectures from various industries inform students of potential future career paths. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Digital/Multimedia Expression.
