Communication Studies Major
The Communication Studies major is designed for students who wish to pursue careers in any professional setting requiring proficiency in and understanding of communication. These careers include, but are not limited to, Advertising Executive, Public Relations Officer, Magazine Editor, Art/Curator, Administrator, Human Resources Specialist, Journalist, Lawyer, Fashion/ Retail Manager, Sales Associate, Sports Announcer, News Anchor, Weather Reporter, College Student Personnel, Teacher, Political Analyst and Campaign Director, Press Secretary, Television News Director and Nonprofit Organization Director. All students follow a common core curriculum distributed over their four-year course of study. They also choose one of three emphases: Communication and Social Influence, Electronic Media Studies, or Public Relations/Journalism for a total of forty two to forty-eight credit hours. As part of their coursework, students participate regularly and actively in experiential learning including writing for the campus newspaper, producing programming for campus television, creating and presenting scholarly work at academic conferences, engage in service learning, internships, and leadership opportunities.
Communication Studies Major – Communication and Social Influence Emphasis and Communication and Social Influence Minor
Students selecting this emphasis are usually planning to enter careers where communication skills are essential, such as human resource manager, college admissions and enrollment specialist, sales associate, politician/political consultant, press secretary, art curator/administrator, fashion/retail merchandiser, lawyer, or teacher. Students will learn the theory and practice of effective communication by oral, written, and electronic means, with an emphasis on critical and analytical thought. Student work will be presented orally electronically, in research papers, and special projects
Communication Studies Major – Electronic Media Emphasis and Electronic Media Minor
Students selecting this emphasis are usually planning careers in media writing, producing, and production. Students will learn how to write for the print and electronic media, including the internet and multimedia, and how to use various electronic tools to communicate effectively. Student work will be presented in the campus newspaper, campus cable television, websites, and a variety of client-oriented media products such as slide presentations, and DVDs.
Communication Studies Major – Public Relations / Journalism Emphasis and Public Relations / Journalism Minor
Students selecting this emphasis are usually planning to enter careers as public relations specialists, public relations managers, events planners, lobbyists, news writers, magazine writers, or non-profit managers. Students will learn how to develop, design, implement and evaluate campaigns that create mutually beneficial relationships between an organization and its publics. An in-depth understanding of adapting messages to audiences in order to successfully attain organizational goals will be developed and mastered. Students will also engage in projects that allow faculty to evaluate their effectiveness as communicators.
The Communication Studies Program is housed in Elliot & Rosel Schewel Hall, a brand new state-of-the-art building. Inside you will find a television studio, audio recording studio, video editing suites, a Mac and PC lab, and a newsroom for both broadcast and print journalism, all part of the Donovan Media Development Center.
All communication studies majors take classes in interpersonal communication, media and culture, writing for the media, research methods, and persuasion and communication theory. You will also find three areas of academic emphases from which to choose.
