FAQs

Undergraduate Business Communication:

Why do all undergraduate students in the College of Business have to take a business communications course?

Studies show that an increasing number of employers and recruiters rank strong communication skills among their top hiring criteria. By taking a course that emphasizes critical thinking/analysis, written communication, and oral communication in the business world, FAU students have a competitive edge when they graduate.

Can students obtain an override to register for a closed section?

No. Class size is limited to 25, so instructors can provide students with individual attention, offer constructive feedback on assignments, and meet with them one-on-one. A smaller class size works better for group activities and peer reviews. Students should not contact faculty directly to seek an override for a course. Faculty do not have the authority to exceed class size limits. Students must contact their academic advisor regarding any registration questions/requests.

Are Business Communication courses offered online?

Yes. Courses are offered both face-to-face and online. Face-to-face sections are preferable because they allow students to communicate more directly with their peers and the instructor. Online sections are intended for those who seek an online degree, travel extensively for work, or live outside the FAU service area.

Are student presentations videotaped?

Yes. The benefit of having a video is that you can see yourself as others see you, thereby identifying and critiquing the strengths and weaknesses of your content and delivery.

Do classes require reference papers?

Knowing how to find, analyze, and cite information from other sources is an important skill for students, so we provide opportunities to write papers that require students to integrate information from multiple sources into a unified argument and properly cite them in APA format.

Are there any resources to help with writing skills?

The FAU University Center for Excellence in Writing provides consultations for students. However, consultants provide writing assistance—not editing.

Are there any resources to help with presentation skills?

Business communications instructors are available to work with students one-on-one to prepare them for presentations. Additionally, students are encouraged to join The Toastmasters Club at FAU to improve public speaking skills and become more comfortable when presenting.

Another resource is the FAU Speaking Center at https://www.fau.edu/artsandletters/scms/speaking-center/, which offers additional support for developing oral presentation skills.

Does Business Communications offer any certificates or minors?

Yes. Since business communications is the number one skill required by employers, in order to make students more marketable, Business Communications offers easily attainable certificates and minors in:

• Applied Global Business Communications, including foreign language proficiency
• Applied Business Communications
• Sales and Communications

What courses does Business Communications offer?

Business Communications offers several classes to help make our students stand out to employers at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in the following topics:

• Introductory Business Communications Skills
• AI for Business Communications
• Intercultural Business Communications
• Advanced Career Communications (undergraduate only)
• Mindfulness and Business Communications
• Advanced Presentation Skills with AI (graduate only)
• Study Abroad Courses in Intercultural Business Communications

All Business Communications courses apply to certificates and minors.

Graduate Business Communication:

If a student is already in the workforce pursuing an MBA, do they still need to take a graduate business communications course?

Yes. The course helps prepare students for assignments in other graduate courses and provides strategies for effective communication as they advance in their careers.

If you earned your BBA/BS at FAU and took GEB 3213, do you still need to take the graduate course? What’s the difference between the two?

Yes! GEB 3213 provides an introduction to business writing and speaking, preparing students to enter the workforce or advance. Meanwhile, GEB 6215 and GEB 6217 provide more in-depth analytical and persuasive strategies for students with more extensive business and management experience.

Why do most students earn an “I” at the end of the semester in which they take GEB 6215?

This course requires students to (1) satisfactorily complete the coursework during the semester they attend the class and (2) demonstrate that they have mastered the material taught in GEB 6215 by submitting designated papers and presentations assigned in concurrent or subsequent courses in their program. Because this requirement cannot usually be satisfied in the same semester as GEB 6215, students generally receive an “I,” giving them three semesters to complete the requirements. When the requirements are successfully completed, the “I” grade is converted to “S”; if they are not satisfactorily completed, the “I” grade is converted to “U."

Do students get help in completing the GEB 6215 requirements even after the class sessions are over?

Yes, GEB 6215 instructors work very closely with students to prepare and revise assignments. Instructors serve as “communication coaches” throughout students’ graduate coursework and even beyond, in their careers.