Program Tips

Academic Advising & Student Success

Academic Advisors assist students with developing academic plans based on their degree evaluation.  Their goal is to plan the right pathway to graduation by maximizing student's potential and ensuring success based on the student's previous academic experience, career path, and responsibilities outside of being a student.  Student Success Specialists assist students in overcoming barriers that many students encounter over their academic career.  Their goal is to help students become academically successful by assisting with goal setting, interpersonal issues, success plans and community-based referrals.  More information can be found on Commons (Student Services & Support).

Academic Support

Free academic help including drop-in tutoring, test preparation, and technology support available online and face-to-face. More information is available on Commons (Student Services & Support).

Technology Requirements

Students must have regular access to a computer with an internet connection. This program is offered in a fully online format. Students are expected to complete assignments and tests through Canvas, an online learning management system. Having access to a laptop/computer with reliable Wi-Fi will be necessary. Please check your laptop/computer to make sure that it meets the minimum recommended specifications below:

Windows/PC	Mac
Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit (preferred) Windows 8.1 (32 or 64-bit) RAM: 8GB Hard Drive: 256GB SSD Processor: 2.4+ GHz	Operating System: Mojave v10.14 or later (preferred) High Sierra v10.13 or later RAM: 8GB Hard Drive: 256GB SSD Processor: Intel Core Duo 2 GHz or faster

Computer Literacy & Internet

To be successful in this program students must possess basic computer skills before entry, which includes basic computer operations and basic keyboarding skills (must type at least 20 words per minute). If you do not feel comfortable with basic computer skills, you can take 103-102 Microsoft Office Suite before starting the program or during your first semester. Professional Communications program courses are offered fully online. Students should have a dependable computer with reliable Internet access. Check with an academic advisor or program instructor for more information.

Course Sequencing

Not all Professional Communications courses are offered each semester. Plan ahead and register for a course when it is available. There are limited course pre-requisites in the Professional Communications program curriculum. This allows for a great deal of flexibility in scheduling to meet learner needs. It may not be necessary to take all courses in the prescribed sequence of the program requirement sheet. Courses that require special attention for scheduling purposes include:

• Online Success Strategies (890-115) – It will be most beneficial for learners to take Online Success Strategies in their FIRST semester of the program. This course is designed to prepare learners to use the learning management system and develop study and planning skills that promote success in an online learning environment.
• Mathematical Reasoning (804-134) – Students may be eligible to earn credit for the Mathematical Reasoning course if they have taken the WorkKeys assessment or scored a 25 or higher on the Math section of the ACT. If students have met the ACT score or taken the WorkKeys test or would like to take the WorkKeys test in lieu of taking Mathematical Reasoning course, please contact Credit for Prior Learning office CPL@cvtc.edu for more details. Students are advised to contact CPL prior to the semester starting or within the first week of the class to ensure that if they pursue CPL, they are eligible for a tuition refund.
• Professional/Technical Writing (699-107) – As an introduction and overview to the field of professional and technical writing, it is highly recommended that this course be taken in the FIRST semester of the program.
• English Composition 1 (801-136) – Successful completion of English Composition 1 is required prior to enrolling in many of the courses required for the Professional Communications program. It will be most beneficial for learners to take English Composition 1 in their FIRST semester of the program.
• Professional Communications Capstone (699-138) – The Professional Communications Capstone provides learners an opportunity to apply the knowledge gained in the Professional Communications program. To best assess Technical Skill Attainment, program students must enroll in the Professional Communications Capstone course during their FINAL semester. This course requires instructor approval.
• Professional Communications Internship (699-139) – Students in the Professional Communications program will have an opportunity to participate in a business work experience. A final internship is the culminating experience in the Professional Communications program. Students will perform writing-related activities at a job site for 64 hours during their FINAL semester. The internship instructor provides possible internship site locations. However, students are encouraged to network and develop a list of prospective sites on their own. This course requires instructor approval.

Prerequisite courses must be completed before students will receive approval to register for the internship (refer to the program requirement sheet). If a student has not completed the required prerequisite courses, he/she will not receive instructor approval to register for the internship opportunity. Any questions regarding internship registration should be directed to the Professional Communications Program Director.

There is a possibility for students to use a current job as an internship site, depending on the responsibilities assigned, tasks they perform, and flexibility of their employer. Students must receive approval from the internship instructor before using a current job as an internship site.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

CPL offers CVTC students an opportunity to earn college credit toward an associate degree or technical diploma for previous knowledge and mastered skills directly related to program curriculum. Previous knowledge and skills may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military experience, and courses completed at other institutions. If a student wishes to attempt CPL for a course in progress, it is imperative that CPL is attempted within the first week of the class to be eligible for a tuition refund.  More information can be found at cvtc.edu/CPL.

Credit Load Options

Students have flexibility regarding how many credits they enroll in each semester of this program. The completion of the program may be affected if a student takes less credits than what is listed each semester. Students are encouraged to take classes over the summer, if offered, especially during more rigorous semesters. For example, students may consider splitting up Accounting and Economics. Please use "Search Course Offerings" for course availability or discuss options with your advisor.

Delivery Method

Professional Communications program courses are offered fully online. Students should have a dependable computer with reliable Internet access. Check with an academic advisor or program instructor for more information. Many times the general education courses (800-level) are available online. Check the course offerings listing at cvtc.edu using "Search Course Offerings" for course availability or discuss options with your advisor.

Financial Aid Consideration

Courses must be part of the student’s program to be eligible although some specific courses may not be eligible for financial aid. Students must follow their program requirements to be eligible for financial aid. To be eligible for financial aid, students must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress of a 2.0 Term GPA, 2.0 Cumulative GPA, complete 67% of attempted credits each semester, and complete their program by the time 150% of the published credits have been attempted.

Local Certificates

There are four local certificates embedded in the Professional Communications program, each consisting of nine-credit blocks:

• Technical Writing (Professional/Technical Writing, Information Design, Technical Documentation)
• Grant Writing (Technical Reporting, Research Basics, Proposal/Grant Writing)
• Social Media Writing (Digital Media Communications, Writing Content for the Web, Intro to Mass Comm.)
• Editing and Proofreading (Editing and Proofreading, Document Design, Writing and Publishing)

These classes build on credentials a professional might want for career advancement. Students need not be full-time program students to receive these certificates. Students completing our program will automatically receive these certificates.

Articulation Agreement

The Professional Communications program has an articulation agreement with UW-Stout for students interested in transferring to Stout's Professional Communication and Emerging Media program. Stout has agreed to accept 55 of the General Education and program courses (as either direct transfers or equivalent substitutions) toward the 120-credit total required by Stout to receive a Bachelor of Science degree. Note: a cumulative 2.0 GPA is required.

Transfer Credit

Students planning to transfer to a university have the option to take 200-level courses that will count toward general education requirements in the four-year degree being pursued. While some of the 100-level general education courses listed on the program sheet may meet approval for transfer, the 200-level courses are more widely accepted for transfer. To determine what courses may transfer, utilize Transferology.com. Students should also contact the college or university they are pursuing to determine exactly what the school will accept and when to seek admission. Students should maintain contact with the other institution, given that program requirements are subject to change.

Required 100-Level Courses	Alternate 200-Level Courses
801-136 English Composition 1	801-219 English Composition 1
809-198 Intro to Psychology	809-251 General Psychology
804-189 Intro to Statistics	804-230 Statistics
809-196 Intro to Sociology	809-271 Introductory Sociology

Title IX Pregnancy and Postpartum

CVTC does not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions and will fully comply with Title IX regulations. Absences due to medical conditions relating to pregnancy and maternity leave will be excused for as long as deemed medically necessary by a student's medical provider, and students will be given the opportunity to make up missed work. Students are encouraged to contact Diversity Resources at 715-833-6234 or diversity@cvtc.edu to set up an appointment as soon as the pregnancy is known.

Students with Disabilities

CVTC welcomes individuals with disabilities. We will provide and coordinate reasonable accommodations for all individuals with documented disabilities. Students that might benefit from accommodations during their college experience at CVTC can contact Diversity Resources at 715-833-6234 or diversity@cvtc.edu to determine what accommodations they may be eligible for and what documentation may be required.

Last Updated: March 4, 2024 @ 3:38 p.m.