Program Purpose

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The School of Communications contributes to a better society by benefiting the organizations for which they work and the audiences they reach.

Curricular Structure

Students majoring in Communications complete 40 hours in the department with an emphasis in a particular area of study. Our accrediting body, the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, requires students complete a minimum of 72 credit hours outside of School of Communications, and meet the university's liberal arts and sciences requirements. Students take complementary courses in theory and application. Students complete three courses before applying to the Communications program: Comms 101 (Mass Media and Society), Comms 235 (Introduction to Public Relations, and Writing 150 (Writing and Rhetoric). Once admitted to the program, students take two additional core courses: Comms 300 (Media Law and Responsibility), Comms 304 (Media Ethics: Ethical Decision Making in a Diverse Society). Students then must complete the required courses in public relations and two electives that focus more on the broader theories and concepts of mass media and society. All students, except those in Communications Studies, are required to complete an internship. Students may take supplemental courses provided they have met all of the other requirements.

1. Complete the following: Comms 101, 235, and Writing 150
2. Apply to the major.
3. Complete the following core courses: Comms 300, 304
4. Complete the following: Comms 318, 333, 320, 425, 486, 485, Stats 121.
5. Complete two from the following departmental electives: Comms 301, 351, 352, 360, 381, 382, 401, 402, 406, 411, 412, 449, 480.
6. After consulting with a faculty advisor, complete an internship in conjunction with 3 hours of the following: Comms 496R.

Catalog Information

Major Academic Plan Communications Public Relations Emphasis

Learning Outcomes

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Students will demonstrate proficiency in the twelve professional values and competencies of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC), which are each related to one of the following program learning outocmes:

• Effective Communication;
• Professional Practice;
• Mass Communication Processes;
• Gospel-centered Values.

Writing and Editing

Writing

Students will write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve.

Editing

Students will critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness.

Numerical Skills and Research

Numerical Skills 

Students will apply basic numerical and statistical concepts

Research

Students will conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.

Technology

Students will apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.

Freedom of speech

Students will understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and the press, for the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances.

Ethics

Students will demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness, and diversity.

Theory and History

Theory

Students will understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information.

History

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications.

Critical thinking

Students will think critically, creatively and independently.

Domestic and International diversity

Domestic Diversity

Students will demonstrate an understanding of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and, as appropriate, other forms of diversity in domestic society in relation to mass communication.

International Diversity

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of peoples and cultures and of the significance and impact of mass communications in a global society.

Evidence of Learning

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Our plan is to evaluate the public relations classes on a two-year cycle:

1. FAll 1: Comms 318 & Comms 333 - Numerical Skills + Technology
2. WINTER 1: Comms 320 & Comms 350  - Writing and Editing + Technology + Critical Thinking
3. FALL 2: Comms 436 + Comms 235 - Critical Thinking + Ethics + Diversity
4. WINTER 2: Comms 485 - Numerical Skills + Technology + Critical Thinking

Direct measures

The following forms of direct evidence inform the faculty's assessment of program learning outcomes:

1. FAll 1: Comms 318 (final project report) & Comms 333 ( 
2. WINTER 1: Comms 320 (email pitch and media list) & Comms 350 (final video)
3. FALL 2: Comms 436 (final campaign plan) + Comms 235 (test scores)
4. WINTER 2: Comms 485 (final project report)  

Indirect measures

The following may be used as indirect measures of student learning:

1. University senior surveys
2. National Survey of Student Engagement
3. Experiential Learning Survey (ELMS)
4. Awards for student work
5. Publication of student work
6. Student surveys and focus groups
7. Alumni survey

Learning and Teaching Assessment and Improvement

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