More About the Program
In the Franciscan tradition of service, caring and openness to all, the mission of The Department of Media Communications is to prepare competent, well-trained and liberally educated men and women in the converging field of media. Students will gain knowledge through theory, practical and applied learning which will provide the valuable education and experience needed for a career in this challenging field.
The Department of Media Communications offers programs in which students seriously interested in the wide and varied careers in communication can become personally involved by working with and learning from people both inside and outside the profession. The faculty in the department are aware of the skills which those in the businesses of radio, television, print, public relations, photography, advertising, graphic design and social media demand of incoming professionals in a converging industry.
The Media Communications curriculum is designed to whet your appetite by enabling you to enroll as a first-year student in a series of beginning-level courses: Introduction to Mass Media, Visual Communication and the Mass Communications practicum. We then begin to shape your writing skills. As a sophomore, you will enter our newswriting sequence. At the beginning of your junior year, now that you have mastered the art of writing, you enter the advanced level coursework in graphic design and video production.
By the end of your junior year, as a pre-professional, you are ready for courses that are more advanced and internships. By the time of your graduation, you will have the beginnings of an impressive résumé, a media portfolio and practical experience in the field. Upon graduation, you will have the basic tools, talent and experience necessary to be highly competitive for the many entry-level media slots.
Upon graduation, students majoring in Mass Communications will be able to interpret the role of the media and how it has affected society from a historical perspective, demonstrate an understanding of the profession within the context of convergence, have knowledge of theories and concepts prevalent in the field, be familiar with important legal issues that face the field of mass communication, develop personal values based upon ethical standards, recognize ethical dilemmas that face mass media professionals, recognize the power of the media and its effects on society, demonstrate proficiency in the various writing styles appropriate for the communication professions, demonstrate the ability to write and edit articles for publication, critically evaluate written and oral presentations for style and content, interpret, create and disseminate visual information, obtain and demonstrate the skill necessary to use technologies appropriate to the field, plan, create and complete projects using electronic media, apply the knowledge and skills appropriate in the communication field, demonstrate skills needed for an entry-level position in the profession, understand, analyze and evaluate research, and demonstrate an understanding of research methods.
Career Options
- Radio DJ
- News Producer
- Sports Anchor
- Public Relations Practitioner
- Journalist
- Photographer
- Videographer
- Social Media Manager
- Digital Marketer