The Communication Program offers students a challenging curriculum that builds the writing, research, and creative foundation they’ll use in today’s wired and information-driven world. Traditional careers in publishing, journalism, public relations, and advertising, are now joined by new careers in digital writing, digital and web-based production, visual communication, and social media use. The opportunity to work in some form of communication – personal to mass – is unlimited in today’s real, virtual, and converged environments.
All Communication majors complete the core curriculum that includes courses about the communication environment and industry, basic writing, basic digital production, law and ethics, and research. Students then select one of three areas for further study:
- Strategic Communication, composed of public relations, advertising, and marketing communication studies;
- Emerging Media Strategy and Social Media, composed of digital writing, social media campaigns,web design, and crisis management;
- Contemporary Journalism, composed of information gathering, reporting, editing, and publishing in today’s online wired and/or traditional mass media worlds.
Students can also choose a minor area to complement their major communication area of practice.
Students have many opportunities to put their coursework to use, including being a member of the Maryville Pawprint online reporting and editing staff. The program also has an active internship program, with undergraduate interns working at many of the top corporations, agencies, radio stations, and not-for-profit groups in the metropolitan area.
Students also have the opportunity to study Communication abroad during short semester break trips or on extended summer programs in the United Kingdom and Australia/New Zealand. Credits earned in study aboard apply directly to the student’s major and/or minor elective courses.
