Department of Communication, Journalism, and Public Relations

Department curriculum focuses on preparing students for professional career opportunities in business, government, journalism and education where they can make an impact.  Students may pursue Bachelor of Art degrees in Communication, Journalism and Public Relations

Communication

The Communication major focuses on the practice of communication in the public sphere as a resource to lead and encourage ethical and civil treatment of other people, especially in public conflicts. The program’s mission is to prepare students academically for lifelong learning, leadership, and service. Curriculum emphasizes both contemplation and ethical action, provided within a liberal arts environment to foster students’ intellectual, spiritual and personal character development. The Communication major also provides oral, written, and relational skills so students can enter the world grasping time-honored ideas of citizenship and participate critically in this world with a solid grasp of techniques of discussion and debate, the ability to recognize and respond to logical flaws, and perspectives to effectively lead organizations in a variety of professions.

Journalism

Review of Satisfactory Progress

Students in the Journalism major will have their progress in all major courses reviewed annually. This review will include in-class scholarship, work on student publications, and/or performance on student broadcast news productions. Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all major courses to continue in good standing. Admission to upper-level study is determined on the basis of the student’s cumulative GPA in Journalism courses completed by the end of the fourth semester, the recommendation of the student’s advisor, and the satisfactory completion of an interview with Journalism faculty. The faculty reserves the right to dismiss any student from a major if he or she fails to meet program standards. An executive committee from the College of the Arts will automatically review a decision to dismiss a student from a major, and the student may make an appeal to the Dean. The Journalism faculty will make every attempt to counsel a student into a more suitable major in the event he or she is unable to meet program standards.

Journalism Lab

All Journalism students must enroll in and successfully complete JRN 3061 - Journalism Lab during each semester beginning upon declaration of the major. Students may repeat the lab up to eight times. This weekly course provides majors with an opportunity to hone their journalistic skills in a workshop environment and apply them on the student newspaper, The Beacon.

Public Relations

The Public Relations program provides opportunities for students to work on real-world projects and acquire skills in writing, business, research, client relationships and communication strategies necessary to plan and implement effective programs and campaigns. Students will learn to apply foundational Christian principles to the area of public relations to become servant leaders of high moral character.

Whether a student is interested in managing communications for a large company or working in a public relations firm, as a public affairs specialist in government, or PR for nonprofits, this program offers the critical advantage of learning that is relevant and immediately applicable.