Communication Arts and Sciences
Mission Statement
The Communication Arts & Sciences mission is to train balanced communication professionals who can succeed in numerous career paths including media arts, film, and public relations. Students graduate prepared to be storytellers who are making a difference in the world.
The Bachelor of Science in Public Relations offers students a major focused in strategic communication practices. Students will choose from cognate offerings in art, journalism, English and Business to enhance knowledge in social media development, brand/reputation management, digital design, and professional writing. The courses selected reflect best practices in public relations education set forth by the Public Relations Society of America, the national accrediting body for public relations practitioners.
The BFA in Film Studies offers students wishing to specialize in film production a path within the communication arts and sciences department. Courses focus on developing skills freelance filmmakers will need if pursuing an MFA in film or a career in the film industry. The cognate requirements for the major allow students to become stronger, creative writers and artists, as the best filmmakers understand every element from pre-production screenplay writing to post-production graphics and editing.
The Bachelor of Science in Broadcasting and Media Arts offers students wishing to specialize in audio and video production a path with the communication arts and sciences department. Courses focus on developing skills for careers in television broadcasting, podcasting, and radio and multimedia careers in public relations or print media. Courses focus on a variety of production techniques including video editing, producing, on-air training for both radio and television, and advanced audio production. The cognate requirement for the major allows students to become stronger media professionals and personalize their degree to career interests.
Major Program Requirements:
Students seeking a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations must complete 42 semester hours in the department and 15 semester hours of cognate coursework.
Students seeking a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcasting and Media Arts must complete 45 semester hours in the department and 15 semester hours of cognate coursework.
Students seeking a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film Studies must complete 45 semesters hours in the department and 15 semester hours of cognate coursework.
BFA Acceptance and Junior Critique:
Students pursuing the BFA option will be accepted into the program their junior year via the junior year critique and must receive approval of the department faculty by the end of their junior year. Students will participate in assessment critiques of their production projects (COMM210 and COMM 239 must be completed before the junior year critique). BFA students will also undergo assessment of their work senior year in COMM422.
Course Fees:
A modest course fee will be charged to most media production and public relations courses in order to cover the cost of course resources.
Multiple Minors and Certificates
Students completing a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations, Broadcasting & Media Studies and Bachelor of Fine Arts Film may complete additional minors or certificates within the department as long as the emphasis of the minor or certificate is “different” from the emphasis of their declared major. Students may not double major in two Communication Arts programs. (Example: If you are completing a BFA in Film you cannot double major with a B.S. of Broadcasting & Media Studies)
The following chart outlines what approved minors and certificates are for each bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts & Sciences.
