Communication and Media Studies
- Bachelor of Arts
- Minor
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Graduates with a degree in communication from Saint Vincent College are effective communicators who can express themselves via speech, video and the written word. Communication majors and minors learn the intricacies of interpersonal and business communication, communication ethics, public presentation and much more.
Many of our graduates embark on successful careers in public relations, broadcasting, marketing, sports information and other media-related fields. But no matter what field our graduates choose, communicating effectively will be beneficial throughout their careers. Our faculty, experts in both communication philosophy and the media industry, help jumpstart our students’ professional journey.
Undergraduate Programs
What Can I Do With a Major in Communication?
The most likely career path of communication graduates will be in the media industry. Depending on their concentration, graduates work in public relations, advertising, marketing, broadcasting, sports information or in the film industry. Recent communication graduates from Saint Vincent College have found work with professional sports teams, local and national advertising agencies, in the public relations and marketing departments of national corporations and many more.
But a degree in communication is beneficial beyond the most natural career path. Courses in digital culture and media criticism will allow student to discern today’s media landscape intellectually, which is crucial in a democratized media world where the consumer has gained both more power and more responsibility.
At the same time, public presentation and writing classes teach skills that will be applicable to any business environment, helping students grow into confident, able professionals in the field of their choice.
Curriculum Requirements
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Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication
Major Requirements (42 credits)
Communication Core (27 credits)
CA 100 Introduction to Mass Media - 3 credits
CA 110 Introduction to Organizational Communication - 3 credits
CA 120 Public Presentation - 3 credits
CA 130 Introduction to Digital Media - 3 credits
CA 140 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication - 3 credits
CA 201 Communication Research Methods - 3 credits
CA 224 Communication Ethics - 3 credits
CA 230 Writing for Media - 3 credits
CA 440 Criticism of Media and Society - 3 credits
Elective courses (12 Credits):
Choose four elective courses in the major
CA 200 Film Studies - 3 credits
CA 211 Photo Images - 3 credits
CA 235 Web Design - 3 credits
CA 240 Public Relations Strategies - 3 credits
CA 250 Advertising Strategies - 3 credits
CA 255 Documentary Studies - 3 credits
CA 271 Special Topics in Media Studies - 3 credits
CA 281 Children and the Media - 3 credits
CA 285 Digital Layout and Design - 3 credits
CA 309 Digital Culture - 3 credits
CA 340 Nonprofit Communication - 3 credits
CA 351 Media Effects - 3 credits
CA 365 Exploring Communication Problems and Presenting Solutions - 3 credits
CA 381 Research on Children and the Media - 3 credits
CA 550 Internship - variable credit
Capstone Course (3 Credits)
Choose one course
CA 415 Creative Campaigns - 3 credits
CA 435 The Digital Media Professional - 3 credits -
Requirements for a Minor in Communication
Minor Requirements (18 credits)
CA 100 Introduction to Mass Media - 3 credits
CA 110 Introduction to Organizational Communication - 3 credits
CA 120 Public Presentation - 3 credits
CA 130 Introduction to Digital Media - 3 credits
Choose Two 200-Level Courses or Higher
Program Highlights
Mission
The Communication Department is situated within an educational community rooted in the tradition of the Catholic faith, the heritage of Benedictine monasticism, and the love of values inherent in the liberal approach to life and learning. Our mission is to provide a quality undergraduate education for those who seek entrance into graduate school or a career in the field of communication. The courses and internships required for all communication majors provide for the development of intellectual gifts, professional aptitudes and personal aspirations.Student Work and Research
During their time at Saint Vincent College, communication students create a variety of projects that serve as ideal practice and portfolio pieces for the professional world. These include, but are not limited to:
- A press kit to promote a specific event
- Digitally edited and enhanced photo compositions and posters
- Multiple videos, ranging from a short documentary and a video resume to videos with the potential to go viral and demonstrations of special effects and post-production skills
- Multiple media criticism papers of cultural artifacts
- A comprehensive advertising campaign that includes TV, PR, video and social media components.
Each year, the Academic Conference at Saint Vincent College offers an opportunity for students to present their work and research to a large audience and gather public speaking experience.
Students can also gather practical experience as work studies of various departments, ranging from the Conference Center to the Career and Professional Development Center. The student-run MAD COMM club offers an opportunity for students to get together and collaborate on their work.
MAD COMM Club
As the only communication club on campus, the MAD COMM Club at Saint Vincent College is an engaging experience for students interested in topics ranging from media, advertising and communication, to public relations, graphic design, marketing, pop culture, art, and more. The MAD COMM Club provides students with various networking opportunities and experiences through behind the scenes visits to local organizations, as well as on-campus speakers and events.
A nod to the intellectual gatherings of liberal arts students of generations past, MAD COMM serves as an open forum for members to participate in informal discussions of current cultural events and reflections on the impact of media in the present. Students also gain real-world experiences in their field, while providing service to their peers and the SVC community through marketing projects that benefit both the numerous other clubs and organizations, as well as MAD COMM members.
In the past, the MAD COMM club has been on behind-the-scenes visits to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Pittsburgh Panthers basketball team, the national advertising agency Brunner, and the American Eagle Outfitters Corporate Office on the South Side. They have also hosted film nights, offering an opportunity for students concentrating in video communication to show off their work. To see what they’re up to this semester, check out their Facebook page and Twitter account!
Internships and Careers in Communication
Communication internships allow students at Saint Vincent College to apply what they learned in the classroom to the professional world. In the past years, our students have interned all over the U.S. and internationally, honing their skills at places such as A to Z Communications, C-Span, Catholic Charities of Washington, D.C., the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Steeltown Entertainment Project and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
These internships prepare our students to be competent and confident communication professionals. Recent graduates now work with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Baltimore Ravens, Duquesne University, Penn-State Altoona, 321 Blink, American Eagle Outfitters, Toyota and Hyundai of Greensburg. and Catholic Legal Immigration, Inc.
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of their college journey, communication students at Saint Vincent College will:
- Develop competencies in communication technologies.
- Perform theoretically grounded critiques of mass media artifacts that address diversity and incorporate global perspectives.
- Demonstrate effective public speaking skills.
- Analyze issues related to creating ethical messages for diverse audiences.
- Conduct and evaluate communication research.