Bachelor of Arts in Communication

Develop the skills to enter a variety of creative, dynamic, and cutting-edge career fields.

The Marian University Bachelor of Arts in Communication program sets students up for success by exposing them to the tools needed to excel in delivering information across contemporary platforms and in a variety of creative, dynamic, and cutting-edge career fields.

Individuals in the BA in Communication program will learn the in-demand skills today’s modern employers are seeking. Our expert faculty helps students master quality foundational knowledge in oral, written, and interpersonal communication, as well as emphasizing the principles and theory of communication.

To gain real world experience, those in the communication program engage in an integrated study of intercultural, ethical, and practical communication situations that professionals face in the work world. Students have the chance to create social media campaigns for businesses and nonprofits, as well as work with clients in service-learning projects and gain field experience through internships.   On the job training, networking opportunities and valuable experience helps set our graduates apart from the competition.

The versatility of the communication program will provides students with in demand skills employers are seeking and position them for professional careers in a variety of areas including: public relations, organizational communication, journalism, management, marketing, development, and event planning.

Request Information

Choose Your Track

Based on your career goals, choose from one of three tracks to help you stand out with employers.

  • Organizational communication

  • Digital communication studies

  • Public relations and strategic communication

PR & Marketing Experience

Work on The Muriel Press project, which gives direct experience with marketing and public relations related to the production and publication of a book.

Learn to Write For the Web

Get involved with The Sabre Voice, an online publication. Get your writing published and earn additional hands-on experience as an editors, public relations specialist, and webmaster.

Learn about the Communication Program

Listen to Dr. Cooper Wakefield and he outlines the communication programs at Marian, in which students can choose an emphasis in public relations, digital media studies, or marketing and public relations. Beginning with foundational classes in communication, students will finish their degrees in focused in their intended major. Upper level students participate in service-learning projects and all seniors complete a capstone project that is relevant to the emphasis of your major. Students will have the opportunity to write for Marian’s student newspaper, the Sabre Voice, gain hands-on experiences through The Muriel Press, and participate in internships.

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Curriculum

Through the Marian University Bachelor of Arts in Communication program students engage in one of three concentrations: organizational communication, digital communication studies, or public relations and strategic communication. Students engage in an integrated study of intercultural, ethical, and practical communication situations that professionals face in the work world.

Communication majors must complete the communication core, general education course requirements, and foreign language requirements during their course of study.  Students are strongly advised to take BUA 203: Career Preparation, which is a 1 credit course.

Throughout the bachelor’s program, students will maintain a professional portfolio of samples of their work. The portfolio is reviewed in COM 405: Senior Seminar.

Academic Catalog
FACULTY DIRECTORY

General Education Courses

As a bachelor’s level student, you are required to take about 30 credits of general education courses as part of the 120 credits required for a bachelor’s degree.  Gen eds are required regardless of your major.

All students take 10.5 to 17 credits in these areas:

  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Argumentative and Research Writing
  • Introduction to Christian Theology
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Introduction to Ethical Reasoning
  • First Year Studies

Core Courses

Communication majors will take courses covering topics such as:

  • Intercultural communication
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Student newspaper
  • Public speaking
  • Principles of marketing

Student Learning Outcomes:

  • Advanced skill development in written, spoken and interpersonal communication
  • Theoretical and practical knowledge of the principles of communication, emphasizing ethical issues within the field.
  • Integrated understanding of the intercultural factors leading to strong global perspectives and intercultural development.

Mission:

The purpose of the Communication Program is to help students become well-rounded, critically minded, technologically experienced and globally aware communicators who use their communication skills for creative, productive and socially responsible purposes.

Professional Standards

The BA in Communication program aligns with the curriculum recommendations of National Communication Association.

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication program prepares students for professional careers in a variety of areas, including event coordinating, journalism, management, marketing, public relations and writing. Through quality internship experiences, hands-on experience enhances student résumés and establishes relationships with numerous organizations, which often lead to professional employment opportunities.

The communication degree program has met or exceeded all of its benchmarks for student learning at each stage of the program for the 2014-15 academic year. In addition to ongoing assessment efforts in key courses related to each of the student learning outcomes, capstone data confirms this high degree of program effectiveness.

Communication, as a program, contributes to the following institutional learning outcomes:

Knowledge acquisition:

· 98.5% of students (N=133) assessed in COM courses in AY 2014-15 meet or exceed expectations

Critical thinking:

· 100% of students (N=96) assessed in COM courses in AY 2014-15 meet or exceed expectations

Effective Communication:

· 93.4% of students (N=61) assessed in COM courses in AY 2014-15 meet or exceed expectations

Global Perspectives

· 95.2% of students (N=165) assessed in COM courses in AY 2014-15 meet or exceed expectations

Socially Responsible Action:

· 97.0% of students (N=100) assessed in COM courses in AY 2014-15 meet or exceed expectations

In addition to maintaining a high degree of excellence within the program, the Communication Department supports learning across the university by contributing to successful effective communication outcomes in other academic programs. Therefore, the Communication program supports learning across the university as well as in the major.

Centered on an applied learning approach, the Marian University Bachelor of Arts in Communication program enhances student knowledge and skills in communication, provides one-on-one personal support from faculty and prepares those in the program for a successful career following graduation.

Admission to the communication program is based on the admission criteria of Marian University. Students are required to earn a C- or higher in all communication courses and maintain an overall GPA of 2.00 to earn their degree.