Mission Statement

The School of Communication will serve the local region, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation by educating students through a liberal arts curriculum that prepares them for a range of careers in the field of Communication. We strive to develop ethical communication professionals who think critically and communicate effectively in a variety of contexts using the latest technologies. The School promotes excellence in teaching, learning, service, research and creative works within and across academic and industry disciplines at undergraduate and graduate levels. A cornerstone of preparing students to communicate ethically and responsibly is the concept of free expression and valuing diversity of cultures, beliefs and thought.   

The School of Communication offers two majors:

The Media Studies major is designed for students with an interest in media or other related mass communication fields.

  • The Advertising concentration recognizes that there is a vital and symbiotic relationship between advertising and media. The focus of this concentration is on the creative use of media for the purpose of advertising.
  • The Journalism concentration prepares students for a rapidly changing field, from traditional newspaper careers to multimedia and websites. There is always demand for the skills involved in gathering, reporting and interpreting non-fiction and public affairs information.
  • The Media Production concentration prepares students for careers in radio, television, cable, multimedia, and corporate and industrial video production.

The Communication major prepares undergraduate students for the future in two ways; becoming professional communicators and making contributions to various organizations and contexts from a communication perspective.

  • The Public Relations concentration prepares students for positions as professional, strategic communicators in many different organizations. Students are provided with a balance of technical communication skills and theoretical knowledge.
  • The Communication Studies concentration prepares students for positions as professional communicators in both the private and public sectors. Students may focus on either corporate communication or public advocacy.

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