Overview

The major in Broadcasting (reference number 726) requires a minimum of 46 semester hours and leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree.

In addition to meeting institutional requirements for graduation, the Broadcasting major must have a minor or second major outside of the School of Media and Film Studies that is approved by the major faculty advisor. Students may not select a minor in film studies or from those offered within the School, unless taken as a second minor.

No course with a grade of “D” or below may be counted toward this major or used as a prerequisite. One-half of the hours in the major must be at the 300- or 400-level. Only 3 hours of internship or co-op may be counted within the major. One-hour workshops may be repeated in different topics up to 4 hours. Only 3 hours of workshop credit may be counted within the 46-hour major.

Overview

The Communication major prepares students to understand and apply communication theories and concepts that explain human interaction across contexts and provides students a platform for understanding the diverse ways communication creates, maintains, and transforms relationships, organizations, institutions, and society.   Communication graduates possess strong interpersonal, writing, and critical-thinking skills, which are highly valued in a wide array of fields. Therefore, they have the flexibility to explore diverse career paths and industries according to their interests and specialties. Recent graduates hold positions in Corporate Communication, Sales, Nonprofit Management, Social Media Management, Digital Content Creation, and Employee Relations.

Students will complete a set of core courses covering different aspects of the discipline including organizational, interpersonal, and intercultural communication.  Additionally, students select courses on message strategies such as persuasion and crisis communication, specialized contexts such as health, sport, and leadership, and other electives tailored to different interests and career goals. 

Overview

The BFA in Film Production is a pre-professional major providing an immersive, conservatory-style educational experience for students pursuing a career in the film industry. Hands-on instruction in pre-production (writing, producing), production (directing, cinematography, production design), and post-production (editing, sound, visual effects) provides students foundational concepts and practical skills which are reinforced through their work on short films. Film studies courses emphasize critical and analytical thinking through the study of global film culture, history, and aesthetics.

BFA in Film Production students will rotate through “below the line” (technical) and “above the line” (creative) roles on two short film production cycles, leading to a final thesis film cycle where seniors choose an area of emphasis (directing, cinematography, producing, production design, editing, sound). By the time of their graduation, every BFA in Film Production student will be ready to enter the workplace with nearly 30 student film credits for their resumé.

Overview

The major in Film provides undergraduates a strong foundation in both film production and film studies. This combination allows students to gain the practical skills to succeed on a film set in both “below the line” and “above the line” roles, to experience the mechanics of film production in industry and independent settings, and to develop facility in critical and analytical thinking through the study of global film culture, history and aesthetics.

Overview

The world of journalism is changing. However, the need for excellent journalists is not. The Journalism major grounds its curriculum in the skills that all employers within the news media and professional communications want: strong writing and editing skills; excellent storytelling skills; the ability to find and process complex information, and share it in a way that helps others understand it.

The core of the curriculum remains reporting, writing, and editing for print and the Web. That core is joined by a range of classes aimed at developing a foundation in multimedia storytelling: digital photojournalism, audio-visual gathering, and editing; and Web site development and content delivery. Ethical and professional standards, First Amendment principles, and media law concepts are incorporated throughout the curriculum to complete the program.

Student learning outcomes of the Journalism program:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and laws of freedom of speech/press, professional ethics, cultural proficiency, and the historical role of media institutions in shaping communications
• Apply analytical reasoning skills using tools and technology appropriate to the discipline in the research, presentation, and evaluation of information
• Demonstrate the ability to do ethical journalism
• Demonstrate the ability to think critically

Program Requirements (18 hours) 

One-half the hours in the minor must be at the 300- or 400-level.

Program Requirements (21 hours)

The minor in journalism writing requires a minimum of 21 hours. Students pursing the minor can gain valuable knowledge and skills in professional media writing and journalistic storytelling.

¹

The prerequisite for JOUR 301 includes PS 110, which may be applied toward Colonnade requirements.

²

One selected course must have a JOUR prefix. Additionally, some courses among these have prerequisites. Please check the catalog.

Half of the hours in the minor must be at the 300- or 400- level.

Overview

Digital Advertising enables businesses to track consumer behavior, create targeted campaigns, and optimize their communication strategies based on data-driven insights. By studying Digital Advertising, you’ll gain knowledge of various digital tools, techniques, and media platforms that enhance brand visibility and drive revenue growth. If you're passionate about creativity, strategic thinking, and shaping brands through communication, WKU’s Digital AD Certificate offers a unique opportunity to add highly marketable skills to your current major.

Overview

A focused educational experience designed to empower students with the communication strategies and production skills necessary to build and enhance their personal brand in the digital age. Covers topics such as personal branding strategy, content creation and digital production.

Overview

Sport Media and Communication is an interdisciplinary certificate, jointly managed by the School of Media and Communication (PCAL) and Sport Management (CHHS). It was created to advance students' skills in:

• Managing communication for sports events
• Producing sport communication content for media following industry best practices
• Analyzing sport media and communication from a variety of perspectives

Overview

Strategic Communication focuses on the critical thinking, analytical, and practical skills essential to developing and implementing  strategies that advance an organization’s goals and missions. Strategic Communication is about communicating purposefully within the context of an organization. This strategic approach includes generating impactful and relatable messages, selecting the best communication channels for proper message distribution, and evaluating communication efforts against established organizational goals and benchmarks. The undergraduate certificate is a 16 credit-hour program designed to equip students with practical and meaningful skills for strategic communication success. A "C" or higher is required in all courses.

Overview

Communication skills within the workplace are rated by organizations and leaders as important for employee success, regardless of industry. In fact, many employers go so far as to emphasize communication skills such as team communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution as more important than the technical skills needed for different professions. The Certificate in Workplace Communication is a 15-credit-hour program designed to equip students with practical and meaningful communication skills for workforce success. The certificate allows students to explore their patterns of communication and those of others so that they can construct competent messages for different audiences within professional and organizational settings. Through hands-on learning experiences, students will engage and practice the skills needed to communicate with confidence even in difficult situations.

Overview

The Master of Arts in Applied Communication equips students with the skills and knowledge to excel in today’s dynamic, communication-driven world. Designed for working professionals and those seeking to advance their careers, our fully online program combines theory and practice to address real-world communication challenges. Students will develop expertise in organizational communication processes, designing communication strategies for diverse audiences, and evaluating the effectiveness of communication in achieving specific goals. The curriculum focuses on improving communication processes, fostering engagement, and practicing ethical persuasion to prepare graduates to navigate complex professional environments. Key courses include Organizational Communication, Digital Communication for Organizational Success, Organizational Belonging and Engagement, and Health Communication Campaigns. Through hands-on projects, case studies, and a capstone portfolio, students will gain professional communication skills and knowledge to lead in diverse workplace settings, including corporate, nonprofit, healthcare, education, and government sectors. Whether advancing in their current role or transitioning into a new field, graduates of the M.A. in Applied Communication will be equipped to captivate, collaborate, and lead with confidence.