BA in Communications Siena Heights University

The Communications program prepares students for careers in a wide range of fields, including professional writing, public relations, graduate education, law school, creative positions in public relations and advertising (through the digital communication concentration), and a wide variety of other careers that require competent communication professionals.

The program is an interdisciplinary program of study that approaches the study of human communications and expression through various lenses.

It transcends both the humanities and social sciences emphasizing the scientific approach to the study of communication as well as the more artistic and expressive forms of culture. Throughout the coursework, students become versed in the role of communications in power negotiations and identity formation by examining society, culture, politics, technology, and media in various local, national, and global contexts.

This program sets students up for success in a variety of different occupations, as students cater their degree plan towards their interests in fields such as business, marketing, broadcasting, journalism, media, non-profit work, or continued graduate-level studies in various disciplines.

The major offers students specializations in:

• Business communication
• Professional writing
• Digital communication
• Religious communication

Each specialization prepares students to enter a variety of careers from public relations and human resources, journalism, graduate school, law school, advertising, or a variety of new media positions.

The required internship requirement allows each student to gain professional job experience and direction regarding career choices prior to graduation. The program’s capstone project is a research study based on the student’s area of specialization that is completed in his/her junior/senior year with the help of the communications faculty.

Program Distinctions

• Faculty with interdisciplinary backgrounds including film and media studies, broadcasting, journalism, popular culture, American studies, cultural studies, folklore, and English.
• An emphasis on media and political literacy and analysis.
• Degree plans and concentrations suited for a wide variety of occupations in business, journalism, publishing, non-profits, marketing, or further graduate-level studies.

Specializations

Professional Writing

The Professional Writing specialization helps students improve their writing skills in preparation for graduate school or to pursue a career in editing, publishing, or journalism. The specialization gives students an opportunity to build a writing portfolio through coursework with the student news organization, Spectra, and the student literary journal, Eclipse.

Business Communication

The Business Communication specialization prepares students through the core communication classes to become strong professional writers and public speakers who are grounded in the communication theories and research methods necessary to succeed in the business world. The program’s focus on public relations/marketing courses prepares students for careers in sales, public relations, hospitality, nonprofit work, and numerous other business-related occupations.

Digital Communication

The Digital Communication specialization teaches students the fundamentals of digital photography, video production, and graphic design. Students take art courses and combine them with their communication theory and methods courses to be prepared to enter the fast-growing field of multimedia production. The specialization is perfect for students interested in pursuing careers in film production, advertising, public relations (visual production), and numerous other careers.

Religious Communication

The Religious Communication specialization allows students to explore how religious belief and action motivate human behavior. The specialization is ideal for students interested in pursuing seminary or a master’s degree in counseling after completing their undergraduate degree. The courses are taught by faculty in the Religious Studies and Philosophy departments.

Course Requirements for Major

Program Requirements: 21 Credit Hours

• COM 111 Introduction To Communications 3 credit hours
• COM 245 Communications Theory 3 credit hours
• COM 340 Intercultural Communication 3 credit hours
• COM 352 History Of The Mass Media 3 credit hours
• COM 396 Research Methods 3 credit hours
• COM 480 Communications Internship 1-12 credit hours
• COM 495 Senior Tutorial 3 credit hours

Cognate Requirements: 21-23 Credit Hours

• ENG 211 Rhetoric 3 credit hours
• TSD 101 Fundamentals Of Speech Communication 3 credit hours
• World Language 3-4 credit hours
• World Language 3-4 credit hours

Cognate Electives: Choose 6 hours from the following

• ENG 240 Introduction To Journalism 3 credit hours
• ARH 435 Visual Culture 3 credit hours

or

• ENG 435 Visual Culture 3 credit hours
• HUM 110 Intro To Ethnic And Gender Studies 3 credit hours
• COM 285 Special Topics 3 credit hours

or

• COM 485 Special Topics 3 credit hours

Concentration (Choose One)

Professional Writing: 12 Credit Hours

• ENG 150 Introduction To Creative Writing 3 credit hours
• ENG 240 Introduction To Journalism 3 credit hours (Cannot double count)
• ENG 272 Introduction To Editing A Literary Journal: Eclipse 2 credit hours
• ENG 273 Introduction To Publishing A Literary Journal: Eclipse 1 credit hours

And one of the following:

• ENG 242 Spectra 1 credit hour 3 sessions required; 1 credit hour per session

or

• ENG 362 Advanced Editing A Literary Journal: Eclipse 2 credit hours

and

• ENG 363 Advanced Publishing A Literary Journal: Eclipse 1 credit hours

Enterprise Communication: 13 Credit Hours

• BAM 101 Introduction To Business 3 credit hours
• BAM 201 Business Communications 3 credit hours
• BAM 212 Business Publication Design 1 credit hours
• MKT 310 Marketing Principles And Cases 3 credit hours
• MKT 360 Social Media Marketing 3 credit hours

Religious Communication: 12 Credit Hours

• PHI 201 Introduction To Philosophy 3 credit hours

or

• RST 102 Introduction To Christian Theology 3 credit hours
• RST 314 World Religions 3 credit hours
• RST 318 Values In Video 3 credit hours
• PHI 361 Philosophy Of Religion 3 credit hours

Digital Communication: 18 Credit Hours

• ART 105 Foundations: Core Concepts 3 credit hours
• ART 111 Foundations: Digital Concepts 3 credit hours
• ARG 330 User Experience Design 3 credit hours

Choose three of the following: 9 Credit Hours

• ART 116 Introduction to Digital Photography 3 credit hours
• ART 243 Introduction to Video 3 credit hours
• ART 346 Advanced Video 3 credit hours
• ART 357 Intermediate Photography 3 credit hours
• ART 457 Advanced Photography 3 credit hours

Total for Major: 51-57 Credit Hours

Liberal Arts: 35 Credit Hours

General Electives: 28-34 Credit Hours

Total for Degree: 120 Credit Hours

Other Requirements

1. Students must maintain a 2.0 g.p.a. or better in Program Requirements for their major.
2. Students must receive a 2.0 g.p.a. or better in their minor.

A BA degree in Communications from Siena Heights University prepares students for the following fields:

• Journalism
• Broadcasting
• Public relations
• Human resources
• Law school
• Graduate education in counseling or communication studies
• Design editor
• Translator (with a minor or second major in Spanish)
• Publishing
• Digital media layout
• Copywriter
• Campaign director/Program Coordinator
• Social media manager
• Health educator