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 & web-based production, visual communication, & social media use. The opportunity to work in some form of communication – personal to mass – is unlimited in today’s real, virtual, & converged environments.
All Communication majors complete the core curriculum that includes courses about the communication environment & industry, basic writing, basic digital production, law & ethics, and research. Students then select one of three areas for further study:
- Strategic Communication, composed of public relations, advertising, and marketing communication studies;
- Applied Media Studies, composed of audio, video, digital writing, web design, & communication graphic design studies;
- Contemporary Journalism, composed of information gathering, reporting, editing, & 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 & editing staff or as part of the Pawprint sports podcast staff, which covers Maryville sports along with other collegiate sports in the West County Saint Louis area. 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.
Return to: