Communication

The Department of Communication offers a major in Communication leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree.

The Communication major prepares students to be well-informed, responsible citizens, as well as creative and ethical communication practitioners. Such preparation is achieved by providing students with the historical and theoretical background to analyze and understand global culture dominated by media and dependent on effective communication. Our program manifests this balance of theory and practice in courses, a widely respected internship program, and student involvement in a variety of campus and community organizations.

Through growing awareness and engagement with local and global issues our students advance their knowledge and skills with the goals of establishing professional careers, pursuing graduate studies, and improving the quality of our communities. Communication majors have found the curriculum to be a strong foundation for entering graduate programs in journalism, communication, law, and other disciplines. Graduates obtain entry-level jobs with television and radio stations, video production facilities, newspapers, public relations firms, social service agencies and other industry and non profit organizations. They work as writers and journalists, broadcasters, producers and production assistants, managers, sales representatives, public relations practitioners, and creative personnel in virtually all segments of society where effective communication knowledge and skills are critical.

The campus supports an active chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the National Honor Society in Communication, and qualified students are inducted into the society each year.

Current and new majors should make a point of meeting their advisors frequently to plan programs that will meet graduation requirements and to explore the many opportunities available at the University and in the community.

Facilities

The Department maintains a television studio, digital camcorders, field production equipment, non-linear editing suites, audio production labs, and digital image processing and multimedia production workstations. Additionally, the University supports a number of student‑run media organizations relevant to Communication majors, including a radio station, a weekly newspaper, and a campus-wide cable television channel.

Interships

The Internship Program in the Department of Communication offers qualified students an opportunity to gain valuable experience with professional communication organizations while earning college credit. Experiences vary, depending upon regulations and restrictions that are set by each agency. Internships are available with local, regional, national, and international agencies. Among the available opportunities in public relations/marketing, broadcasting, and journalism are sites in Boston, New York, Hartford, Springfield; London, England; and Dublin, Ireland.

Changing of Major

Any student seeking to change to the Communication major must have a 2.5 GPA and complete a deparmental application.

Field Placement

The following course requires departmental and/or faculty approval:

COMM 0305 - Communication Internship

(Credits earned for COMM 0305 may not be substituted for the Required Major Core, Concentration Requirements, or Concentration Electives).

Programs

Courses

Communication

Beginning fall 2008, the MCOM course prefix was changed to COMM.

Catalog

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