Communication Programs
The Department of Communication offers exciting, relevant, and flexible undergraduate programs that seamlessly blend the study of communication with theory and practice. Through active and engaged learning students participate in a vibrant community of learning.
Department offerings include:
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication
- Minor in Communication
- Minor in Strategic Social Media
- Certificate in Strategic Social Media
B.A. in Communication
The communication major is a liberal arts-based and interdisciplinary major. Designed to empower students through the development of critical thinking and effective communication, students will focus on understanding the complex communication challenges in the 21st century and effectively communicating across a variety of mediums.
The strong and varied curriculum enhances and develops multi-dimensional communication skills including speaking, writing, and multimedia content. Theory and practice come to life in an individualized and challenging learning environment.
B.A. Requirements
The curriculum includes a core of courses blending theory and history with practice and content development. The communication core includes courses in public speaking, multimedia and video storytelling, news writing, strategic communications and advertising, and communication history and law.
Students choose additional courses within one of three specialization areas:
- Multimedia journalism (print and multimedia)
- Strategic communication (public relations and advertising)
- Communication studies (interpersonal and organizational communications)
Experience gained through participation in student media, communication student organizations, and internships provide an essential component to the curriculum.
Communication majors must also complete the University core, or general education curriculum appropriate to the degree they seek. Academic Advising offers a downloadable degree plan that outlines the specific courses required for the B.A. in Communication.
For more information, email JUCOMM@ju.edu.
Minor in Communication
No matter what career path you choose, knowing how to effectively communicate is an essential skill. Students choosing to minor in communication can customize their learning experience by selecting courses and practicums that are relevant to their major. Additionally, students earning a minor in communication are encouraged to participate in the variety of student media and professional development organizations in the Department of Communication. This practical experience in story telling about their major provides valuable portfolio pieces, as well as a deeper understanding of the principles learned in class.
To earn a minor in Communication, students must complete 18 credit hours of COMM courses selected with the assistance of a communication faculty member.
For more information, email JUCOMM@ju.edu.
Minor in Strategic Social Media
Social media is an increasingly important skill in the job market. As a personal promotion tool, it is imperative as more than 90 percent of companies are using social media for hiring. Additionally, social media literacy, search engine optimization, data mining, and visualization are among the top skills desired by employers.
The minor in Strategic Social Media focuses on the art and craft of communication in a social media society. Students participating in the minor program will learn how to communicate successfully through a variety of social media platforms. The goals include strategic, deliberate, and effective communication that uses technology while
- Developing and understanding effective social media strategies
- Implementing successful social media campaigns
- Utilizing multimedia communication plans for desired effect
- Creating compelling content for specific social media platforms
- Understanding how to collect and share data for ROI for social media
To earn a minor is Strategic Social Media, students must complete four required courses (12 credits), and two COMM electives selected with the assistance of a communication faculty member.
Required Courses
- COMM 101: Mass Communication and Society
- COMM 217: Introduction to Multimedia Storytelling and Journalism
- COMM 310: Online Storytelling and Journalism
- COMM 325: Social Media Management
For more information, email JUCOMM@ju.edu.
Certificate in Strategic Social Media
Social media is increasingly listed as a desired skill in job calls for all career paths. The Department of Communication offers a certificate in strategic social media to help students from all disciplines understand the strategic use of social media and the tools that can be used to fully engage in current and future social platforms.
To earn the certificate, students must complete three required courses (9 credits) and one COMM elective (3 credits) chosen with the assistance of a communication faculty member.
Required Courses
- COMM 217: Introduction to Multimedia Storytelling and Journalism
- COMM 310: Online Storytelling and Journalism
- COMM 325: Social Media Management
Undergraduate students successfully completing the Certificate of Strategic Social Media will earn a notation on their official JU transcript, receive an official certificate, and cords of distinction to wear at graduation.
For more information, email JUCOMM@ju.edu.