Bachelor of Arts in Communications
Department of Communications
The accelerated bachelor’s degree program of study in Communications affords students the opportunity to prepare for careers in what may be the most rapidly expanding field in modern education and society-at-large. Blending traditional liberal arts with specific career-oriented coursework, students are given the foundations, skills, and ethical perspectives to be successful in their mass media careers and to be productive members of society. The combination of scholarly search for knowledge, development of essential skills, and the application of these in society guide the major in keeping with the Mission of the College.
The accelerated bachelor’s degree program in Communications as offered by the School of Professional and Graduate Studies specifically prepares students for careers in the promotional aspects of the discipline, as practiced in business and the not-for-profit sectors. However, course selections span broadcasting, film and video production, performance media, advertising, public relations, sports media, film studies, organizational communications, writing and journalism.
In order to demonstrate a student’s total accumulation of experience, skill, and integrative abilities in the major, each Communications student must submit a final portfolio of print and/or non-print materials; or research and write a final thesis. Thus, graduates of Albertus’ Communications Program are in the position to present potential employers with an actual portfolio or thesis paper that demonstrates their experiential base of knowledge and skills that will set them apart.
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The emphasis in Albertus’ Program in Communications is upon preparing students for positions in mass media and their related fields that are “above the line.” Above the line” positions are executive-oriented, gatekeeping positions. These decision-makers and gatekeepers are professionals, who actually create and influence media, who have both technical and broad integrative skills in the field, and who can work with and manage many different types of people.
Communications is a rapidly evolving field in society. Thus, the Department of Communications is constantly adapting to the changes that this exciting field presents.
Students who complete the Communications Major enjoy many graduate school options that include broadcasting, media, journalism, digital and social media, business, and law.
Potential Careers For Those Majoring In Communications
Advertising Creator, Television News Reporter, Public Relations Practitioner, Corporate Communications Specialist, Sportscaster, Digital Media Management, Radio Broadcaster, Photojournalist, Screenwriting, Sports Media Practitioner, Media Copywriter, Social Media Manager, Lawyer.
Major Requirements: Total of 45 Credits, including 36 credits in core courses, sequence courses, practical applications, capstone seminar and portfolio or thesis. The final 9 credits are taken in required correlatives.
Core Courses (Required of all majors) (15 Credits)
Sequences
- Each major must complete three courses from any one sequence and one of the following (Total of 12 Credits):
- One course from any different sequence
- One topics course
A. Promotional Communications Sequence
B. Visual Communications Sequence
C. Sports Communications Sequence
D. Digital Communications Sequence
E. Topics Course
Plus a variety of Special Topics courses (e.g., Writing for Digital Media, Screenwriting, The War Film, Journalism, Crisis Communications Management, Social Media, and other courses as the discipline evolves and as student interest demands.)
F. Practical Applications: Each major is required to complete an internship:
G. Communications Seminar: Each major is required to complete Communications Seminar
H. Portfolio or Thesis: Each major is required to complete either a senior portfolio or a senior thesis.
I. Required Correlatives: Each major must complete 9 credits in a related discipline in consultation with the Department Chair
The description of Minor Requirements is listed below.
Sequence Course Choices
(One may be selected for the Communications major and one must be selected for the Communications minor.)
Visual Communications Sequence
CO 250 Broadcast Writing
CO 251 Film and Video Production
CO 341 Film Appreciation (Level C)
Sports Communications Sequence
CO 202 Sports Marketing and Promotion
CO 203 Sports Writing and Information
CO 301 Organizational Communications (Level C)
Digital Communications Sequence
CO 229 – Introduction to Digital Communications
CO 230 – Internet Marketing and Advertising
CO/DR 326 The Creative Mind (Level C)
Topics Course Choices
(One may be selected for the Communications major and one must be selected for the Communications minor.)
Plus a variety of Special Topics courses
(e.g. Writing for Digital Media, Screenwriting, The War Film, Journalism, Crisis Communications Management, Social Media and other courses as the discipline evolves and as student interest demands.)