Department Head: Dr. Teddi Joyce
386 Merrill Hall
Accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC)
As one of only 119 internationally accredited programs, we seek to reinforce the following values and competencies in professional practice across our degree concentrations:
ACEJMC Stated Values and Competencies:
Professional values and competencies
Individual professions in journalism and mass communication may require certain specialized values and competencies. Irrespective of their particular specialization, The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications requires that graduates of accredited programs be aware of certain core values and competencies and be able to:
- apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, in a global context, and for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located;
- demonstrate an understanding of the multicultural history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications;
- demonstrate culturally proficient communication that empowers those traditionally disenfranchised in society, especially as grounded in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and ability, domestically and globally, across communication and media contexts;
- present images and information effectively and creatively, using appropriate tools and technologies;
- write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve;
- demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity;
- apply critical thinking skills in conducting research and evaluating information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work;
- effectively and correctly apply basic numerical and statistical concepts;
- critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness;
- apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.
As a program, we have chosen to do this through our stated values system, the Six Pillars of Professional Communication:
Within each communication course, each student will engage with one or more of the following values, and engage with the related competencies intended to reinforce each of our six pillars of professional communication.
- Accuracy, independence, and honesty
- Freedom of expression and a free and responsible press
- Accountability, integrity, and transparency
- The role of media in the flow of information
- Service to the public and stakeholders
- Holistic development of aspiring journalism
These values are reinforced through the following Core Competencies:
- Writing clearly and effectively for the audience and purpose
- Employing tools and technologies, ethically and responsibly, to enhance access while protecting intellectual rights and privacy.
- Anchoring content development, use, and presentation in theory.
- Applying research and analysis to discover trends, understand issues and serve as a foundation in decision-making.
- Demonstrating creative, critical thinking through the thoughtful articulation of the complex
- Developing an inclusive climate where content, events and activities reflect a diversity of beliefs, experiences, and abilities.
- Articulating historical and legal principles that inform best practice in mass communication subfields.
Our internationally accredited communication curriculum focuses on developing well-rounded industry professionals in journalism and mass communication capable of interpreting and meeting the challenges of an exciting, ever-changing field. As such, the Department of Communication has adapted its curricular offerings to provide the means for its students to meet industry needs and better seek degree-relevant employment.
The program currently offers the following degree concentrations:
- Digital Journalism - The move to digital media in journalism and mass communication requires professionals who are capable of gathering and packaging information for multi-media formats, and in an open array of content areas, including but not limited to news, entertainment, sports, and popular culture.
- Public Relations and Advertising - Marrying the strategic communication fields of public relations and advertising with an industry-current integration of digital media and analytics also helps prepare students for industry-current employment opportunities.
- Digital Media Production - Media professionals need a diverse body of knowledge, as well as hands-on skills with industry-current technologies.
- Sports Media and Analytics - The field of sports media is a fast-growing, nimble market where aspiring professionals can work with traditional sports media organizations, sports organizations, or independently with a strong grounding in their areas of interest in the media industries, informed by data analytics. Our program enables student to pursue a B.A. in Communication tailored to their interested in Sports Reporting, Sports Broadcasting, or Strategic Communication, while establishing a healthy grounding in sports-related businesses through Sport Management supplemental coursework.
Students with an interest in Communication aside from the major are also welcome to pursue the following minors:
- Communication - 18 hour flexibly designed minor to facilitate foundational knowledge of the field, while enabling access to desired skills-based courses.
- Journalism - 18 hour focused minor designed to provide a firm grounding in journalistic news values and reporting.
- Strategic Communication - 18 hour focused minor designed to provide students with a foundational grounding in public relations and advertising.
As well as any of the following microcredentials:
- Podcasting - 9 hour sequence focused on audio engineering and podcasting.
- Social Media Management - 9 hour sequence focused on strategic social media and multimedia production.
- Sports Media - 9 hour sequence focused on sports communication and a flexible focus on reporting, broadcasting, or strategic communication.
- Communication - Digital Journalism (Bachelor of Arts)
- Communication - Digital Media Production (Bachelor of Arts)
- Communication - Public Relations and Advertising (Bachelor of Arts)
- Communication - Sports Media and Analytics (Bachelor of Arts)
- Communication Minor
- Journalism Minor
- Strategic Communication Minor
- Podcasting Microcredential
- Social Media Management Microcredential
- Sports Media Microcredential
Prerequisite(s): COM 205 or COM 315.
Prerequisite(s): COM 302.
Prerequisite(s): COM 315 or COM 205.
Prerequisite(s): COM 205 or COM 315.
Prerequisite(s): COM 315.
Prerequisite(s): COM 200.
Prerequisite(s): COM 330.
Prerequisite(s): COM 205.
Prerequisite(s): Approval of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): Approval of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): Approval of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): Approval of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): Approval of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): Approval of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): COM 200 and one of the following
Prerequisite(s): COM 320.
Prerequisite(s): COM 200 and one course from the following
Prerequisite(s): COM 320.
Prerequisite(s): COM 315.
Prerequisite(s): COM 200; one of MS 110, MS 112, MS 204, or ST 260; one of COM 205, COM 301, COM 302, COM 304, COM 315, or COM 330.
Prerequisite(s): MS 110, MS 112, MS 204, or ST 260, as well as COM 200 and one of the following courses: COM 205, COM 301, COM 302, COM 304, COM 315, or COM 330.
Prerequisite(s): COM 315, COM 317, and COM 410.
Prerequisite(s): COM 304, COM 330, COM 340, COM 380, COM 395, COM 400, COM 415 or COM 412, and COM 430.
Prerequisite(s): COM 320, COM 380, COM 395, and COM 412 or COM 415.
Prerequisite(s): Approval of instructor.