Communication, Journalism and Media Department

The Communication, Journalism and Media Department offers an undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in communication, journalism and media. The department’s goal is to prepare students for successful careers in journalism, media production, public relations, visual media and other related communication professions. The program provides students with skill and theory courses in four professional concentrations - public relations, journalism, broadcast media production and visual media. Throughout an undergraduate’s program of study, instruction in practical skills is interwoven with the student’s intellectual, conceptual and professional development. Upon graduation, students are well qualified to obtain an entry-level position in their field of interest or to use their education as a foundation for advanced study in communication or other fields.

Communication, Journalism and Media Features

The department offers classes with an average size of 22 students. Students engage in hands-on learning experiences in class and as members of student media organizations. All students build their skills using industry-standard digital technology, developing competencies in digital publication design, web design, audio and video production and photography.

Four student organizations offer practical experience in communication media:

Public Relations Student Society of America campus chapter
SUTV, the campus television station
The Slate/theslateonline.com, the print and online campus newspaper
WSYC-FM, the campus radio station

Opportunities for professional internships with local, regional, national and international media and businesses are available to qualified juniors and seniors. Although not departmentally required, students are urged to use the two available internship opportunities as a springboard to professional employment. The department’s internship coordinator and faculty academic advisers, as well as the university’s Career, Mentoring and Professional Development Center, are available to assist students in their internship searches and to connect them with alumni and professional contacts. Recent students in the program have earned competitive internships with The Jimmy Fallon Show, The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News/PennLive, Tierney public relations firm, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, Volvo Construction Equipment, Chincoteague Bay Field Station, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, CBS-21 WHP, ABC-27 WHTM, The Gettysburg Times, QVC.com and more.

Communication, Journalism and Media Career Opportunities

A career in communication, journalism and media offers the dynamic challenges of working in today’s media: the excitement of breaking news and events, the opportunity to meet and work with distinguished leaders and performers, and the satisfaction of being creative in your day-to-day work. Key employers include online news media, newspapers and television stations. Opportunities for employment in public relations come through agencies, all levels of government, nonprofit institutions and corporations. Practitioners often move from the creative side of the business to media or organizational administration and management.

Admission Requirements

SU students wishing to transfer into the Department of Communication, Journalism and Media need a 2.3 cumulative QPA. Students will be admitted based on the above criteria and space availability in the professional concentration the student selects.

Programs

Major

Minor

Communication, Journalism & Media Minor

Courses

Communication, Journalism and Media