2021-2022 Academic Catalog 
    
    Dec 07, 2024  
2021-2022 Academic Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Communication, B.A.


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 two 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;

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.

 

General Education Requirements


(42 credits)

Humanities


(5 courses)

  • Fine Arts elective
  • Literature or Foreign Language elective
  • Philosophy elective
  • Two Humanities Electives

Social Science


(3 courses)

  • History or Political Science electives
  • Two Social Science electives

Natural Sciences and Quantitative Reasoning


(2 courses)

  • Science elective
  • Math or Science elective

Major Required Coursework


(51 credits)

Complete the core requirements & choose one concentration as an area of emphasis.

Concentrations


(24 credits)

Electives

(0-9 credits)

Depending on the coursework chosen, students may need additional Communications electives in order to meet the 24 credit minimum for the concentrations.

Electives

(0-9 credits)

Depending on the coursework chosen, students may need additional Communications electives in order to meet the 24 credit minimum for the concentrations.

Graduation Requirements


  • 128 credit hours minimum (last 30 hours in residency)
  • A minimum half the major credit hours in residency
  • A minimum half the minor credit hours in residency
  • ​60 credit hours must be completed at a 4-year institution