New! Social Influence Minor

Shape Ideas. Move People. Make an Impact.

The Social Influence minor at Marshall University is built for students who want to understand how communication actually works in the real world—and how to use it responsibly to make a difference.

From viral trends to meaningful conversations, influence is everywhere. This minor gives you the tools to decode it, apply it, and lead it.

Influence has been at the heart of the communication discipline since Aristotle defined rhetoric as the art of speaking well and persuasively over 2,400 years ago. Today, social influence and digital communication are inextricably linked as influencers utilize social media platforms to promote ideas, products, lifestyles, and other tangible and intangible goods. This new minor capitalizes on current socio-cultural trends to teach students to better understand influencer-follower communication and to employ persuasive strategies effectively and ethically.

What You’ll Learn

• How influence shapes attitudes, behaviors, and relationships
• The strategies behind effective—and ethical—persuasion
• How influencers, organizations, and everyday people build credibility and impact
• How digital platforms amplify (or distort) messages
• How to communicate with purpose in a fast-moving, media-driven world

Why It Matters for Your Future

Whether you’re interested in marketing, leadership, health communication, social media strategy, law, or public service, the ability to influence others is a career-defining skill.

This minor helps you:

• Stand out in a competitive job market
• Build stronger professional and personal relationships
• Communicate ideas that inspire action
• Lead with credibility and ethical awareness

Required Courses

• CMM 213 Communication in Relationships (offered online or in-person)
• CMM 308 Persuasive Communication (offered online or in-person)
• CMM 409 Social Influence Studies (offered online)
• CMM 456 Digital Communication (offered online)

New! Health Communication Minor

At Marshall University, the Health Communication minor prepares you to make a real impact where it matters most: people’s health, well-being, and quality of life.

Whether you’re interested in healthcare, leadership, public service, or advocacy, this minor gives you the communication skills to connect, influence, and lead in high-stakes environments.

Why Health Communication?

Health isn’t just about science—it’s about how we communicate.

From patient-provider conversations to public health campaigns, the messages we share shape decisions, relationships, and outcomes. In this minor, you’ll learn how to:

• Communicate clearly and compassionately in healthcare settings
• Design messages that promote healthier behaviors
• Reduce stigma and build trust across diverse communities
• Navigate complex conversations around risk, crisis, and care
• Lead with empathy in environments where communication truly matters

Built for Your Goals

This minor is designed to complement a wide range of majors—including pre-med, nursing, psychology, business, and more—giving you a competitive edge in any career where communication and care intersect.

Required Courses

• CMM 374 Health Communication
• CMM 474 Patient-Provider Communication
• CMM 479 Health Promotion and Influence
• Choose one from:
  • CMM 315 Communication in Groups
  • CMM 319 Leadership Dynamics
  • CMM 322 Intercultural Communication
  • CMM 410 Crisis & Risk Communication
  • CMM 420 Conflict Communication
  • CMM 456 Digital Communication

Business Communication Minor

A minor in Business Communication is a great way to stand out from the field and show potential employers that you have one of the most valued skill sets businesses and organizations seek out in new college graduates – Communication skills.

Students are required to take 2 CMM classes and 2 CMM electives to complete the minor. That’s only 4 classes that can be taken completely online!

Many business majors are required to take CMM 302 – Professional Presentations. So, that only leaves 3 more classes to earn the minor and most, if not all of those courses, can be taken online.

Click here to see a list of courses in the Business Communication minor.

NOTE: CMM 103, 104H, and 207 cannot count toward the minor.

Communication Studies Minor

The Comm Studies minor is a great option for any student who wants a flexible minor that can be taken totally online if they choose, with a big payoff.

Choose any 4 CMM classes that match your interests or meet your career goals.

NOTE: CMM 103, 104H, and 207 cannot count toward the minor.

Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you have questions about any of our minors, please contact your advisor or Dr. Rich Jones, Chair of Communication Studies at jonesri@marshall.edu.