Department of Communication

Chair: Professor Scott (Mass Communication).
Communication Studies: Professors Ford, Hardig; Associate Professor Ozley; Assistant Professor Wang.
Mass Communication: Professor Cofield; Assistant Professors Finklea, Pruitt; Instructor Platenburg.

Majors

The Department of Communication offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in Communication Studies and Mass Communication.

Minors

Minors are available in Communication Studies, Multimedia Journalism, Mass Communication, and Public Relations. Details about the Arts Administration Minor  are available under Department of Theatre.

Internships

Students in the Department of Communication are encouraged to seek out internship opportunities. The department recognizes that successful completion of an internship can greatly enhance a student’s job prospects by providing daily work experience in the major. Junior status and a minimum 2.5 GPA are required to earn up to 6 hours of credit to be counted toward the degree (45 hours worked equal 1 hour of course credit). Contact the appropriate Internship Coordinators for details.

Experiential Approach to Learning

Students in the Department of Communication are encouraged to engage in a number of experiential learning opportunities including service learning, undergraduate research, internships, study away, and hands-on learning outside the classroom (i.e. livestreaming athletic events, attending academic conferences, and event planning). The Mass Communication Program utilizes state-of-the-art video equipment. A checkout system allows students to gain experience with the equipment for both class and individual projects.

Student Organizations

Each communication program includes a student club or honorary society: Lambda Pi Eta for Communication Studies; The National Broadcasting Society and Alpha Epsilon Rho for Mass Communication. Students who meet the grade-point requirements and who desire to become actively involved should contact the department chair for details.

Reproduction Rights

The Department of Communication reserves the right to retain examples of student work for instructional, publicity or recruiting purposes. Similarly, each program of the department reserves the right to use photographs, video/DVD and audio recordings of student productions in any departmental promotional material, including websites.

Courses in Communication

• Courses of Instruction  

Every class is not offered every semester. It is strongly recommended that students arrange their schedules around courses in the major.

Programs

• Communication Studies, B.A.
• Mass Communication, Broadcast Production, B.A.
• Mass Communication, Multimedia Journalism, B.A.

• Communication Studies, B.S.
• Mass Communication, Broadcast Production, B.S.
• Mass Communication, Multimedia Journalism, B.S.

• Communication Studies Minor
• Mass Communication Minor
• Multimedia Journalism Minor
• Public Relations Minor