Department of Communication

The Department of Communication serves students through a study of communication, incorporating theory, history, and application in a variety of media and non-media contexts. The Department prepares its majors to function effectively as competent professionals with a Christian worldview.

The Department of Communication includes five major programs of study including Communication & Journalism, Digital & Graphic Design, Film & Media Production, Public Relations & Advertising and Journalism Education. Nearly all of these have corresponding minors from which to choose.  Each area makes appropriate contributions to the following objectives of the Department:

  1. To contribute to the arts and sciences emphasis of the University 
  2. To promote a Christ-centered value system 
  3. To be cognizant of cultural diversity and differing value systems 
  4. To provide professional preparation 
  5. To develop leadership skills in the communication fields 

A student may earn the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree within the Department of Communication. A Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is available in the areas of Film and Digital & Graphic Design. See the General Education section of the catalog for specific requirements.

Students earning a BA or BS in communication complete a 41 credit major plus a minor of the student's choice. For the major, the student elects one of the following areas: Communication & Journalism, Digital & Graphic Design, Film & Media Production, Public Relations & Advertising, or Journalism Education. Concentrations are available in Digital Media and Public Relations & Advertising. A student may combine a communication minor with a communication major to become a comprehensive communication major provided these are not the same area (see next paragraph). Students outside the department may select from any minor in the communication area. However, a Communication minor may only be combined with a major outside of the Department of Communication. 

Students earning a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) degree in Film or Digital & Graphic Design complete a 68-credit program that includes both their major and minor. No further minor is needed as this is a comprehensive major. Students must receive pre-approval by communication faculty to begin the BFA program. BFA students must maintain a 3.0 GPA overall, plus a 3.5 GPA in the major. Students interested in the BFA should contact their academic advisor by the spring of their sophomore year.

Journalism Education majors may earn a BA or BS; however, the major is comprehensive and does not require a minor. When completed, the student will be certified to teach journalism in secondary schools.

The comprehensive option requires a minimum of 61 credits of communication course work. A student chooses one of the five communication majors and a then a minor from one of the eligible minors in the Department of Communication. The student completes 41 credits in the major field and 20 credits in the minor field. The student must meet all the requirements of both the major and the minor. The minor must be outside of the student’s major emphasis. Remaining elective credits are selected from the Department of Communication courses in consultation with an advisor. No further minor or concentration is required for graduation. This option only applies to BA and BS students. Communication coursework taken for general education is typically included towards a comprehensive communication major. All incoming freshmen and transfer communication majors are required to take the COMM 100 University Seminar course, which provides orientation to the University in general and to the communication major. Students are encouraged to take communication courses for general education requirements where possible.

COMM 205 Effective Communication is a general education course that does not meet major requirements. All communication majors must take COEM 175; however, students entering with extensive video and computer experience may apply for exemption from this requirement. Students who are granted exempt status must still take 3 credits of communication electives as part of the major. Communication elective courses must be 300 or 400 level, except for COEM 232.