In the classroom, our instructors provide you with a sound
basis of theoretical knowledge augmented by real-life learning experiences
and exercises drawn from the everyday world of communication. Students learn
to practice their craft and sharpen their skills by participating in the
Student Publication Practicum and, in some cases, by serving as an intern
with one or more St. Louis area companies and media outlets.
As a Maryville Communication Major, you can choose between two areas of
concentration, each featuring three possible career tracks. Specialize in
Media Communication and you will learn to work in or with the mass media by
pursuing either Digital Media Technology (the “New Media”), Media Studies,
or Media Writing. Concentrate on Strategic Communication and you will be
trained in program planning and audience targeting in Public Relations,
Advertising, or Integrated Marketing.
Our Communication Program also offers Minors in overall Communication, Media
Communication, and Strategic Communication for those who wish to major in
other fields, but recognize the importance of communication expertise in all
areas of business.
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Student Publication Practicum
If you decide to concentrate on Media Communication, you will be
required to enroll in the Student Publication Practicum (COMM 181) for
at least three semesters. The Practicum awards one semester hour of
credit for each enrollment period, gives the student valuable hands-on
media experience, and provides staffing for “Gateway Maryville,” the
biweekly online campus newspaper produced under the auspices of the
Communication Program. “Gateway Maryville” features news, arts,
entertainment, sports and opinion articles written and edited by
students, as well as an interactive calendar of upcoming University
events. |
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Internships |
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Communication Majors are encouraged to pursue internship opportunities
with corporations and other organizations that provide training and
experience in the student’s area of concentration. Open to juniors and
seniors, internships allow students to integrate classroom theory with
actual work experiences. They serve as an excellent bridge between
university education and career employment. Since 2002, Maryville
communicators have worked as interns in marketing communication,
promotions, special events, public relations, advertising, copywriting,
and copyediting with one or more of the following firms:
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Macintosh Computer Laboratory
Communication Majors have access to a state-of-the-art Macintosh
computer laboratory. This laboratory includes 18 G4 Macintosh computers
with 23-inch Apple Cinema display monitors. Also available for student
use are digital cameras, camcorders, scanners, and printers. The
laboratory is designed as a learning center, so Communication graduates
can gain experience on the same kind of computer hardware and software
that will greet them later in the workplace.
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Flexible Scheduling
The Communication Program is offered during the day program to full-time
traditional students and through Maryville’s Weekend and Evening College
(WEC) Program, to accommodate those employed full -
or part-time who wish to work toward a Communication degree. As it has for more
than two decades, the WEC Program guarantees its students the same level
and quality of services that are provided to all other students. These
services include:
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Academic advising |
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Financial aid assistance |
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Access to computer labs and study rooms at all campus locations |
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Internet access to library and bookstore services |
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A Maryville degree in Communication enables you to move confidently
into a professional communication position. Salaries in the field are at
an all-time high. For example, median annual earnings in 2002 were over
$57,000 for advertising directors and over $60,000 for public relations
managers. Annual earnings for ad executives, television anchors, and
vice presidents of corporate communications are often in six, or even
seven, digits. Maryville students are fortunate that the St. Louis
metropolitan area boasts more than 100 advertising and marketing
agencies, 60 public relations firms, 45 local radio stations, four local
TV stations, and a number of large corporations — all of which provide
Communicators with a variety of employment and internship opportunities.
The Career Education Office at Maryville is ready with guidance and
resources to help students research and contact prospective employers
and graduate schools. Workshops are offered to aid you in developing
proper techniques for resumes and interviews. Career opportunities are
also available through periodic recruitment sessions conducted by many
companies and businesses.
A partial listing of where our alumni have pursued their careers
includes:
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Arcturis |
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Barnes-Jewish
Hospital |
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Core Advertising |
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Drone and Mueller |
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ESPN |
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Edward Jones, Inc |
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Fleishman-Hillard |
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Harthill Marketing Services |
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Humane Society |
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KMOX Radio - 1120
AM |
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KSDK TV Newschannel 5 |
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Marketing Direct |
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Ronald McDonald
House Charities |
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St. Louis Cardinals |
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St. Louis College of Pharmacy |
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St. Louis Magazine |
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Weintraub Advertising |
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West County YMCA |
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 Bachelor of
Arts with a Major in Communication
Degree in another field with
a Minor
in Communication
Degree in another field with
a Minor
in Media Communication
Degree in another field with
a Minor
in Strategic Communication
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As
noted earlier, Maryville’s Communication Program offers two distinct,
but interrelated, career paths in which you can choose to concentrate,
depending upon your interests and abilities.
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Media Communication prepares you to
work in or with the mass media (e.g., TV, radio, newspapers,
magazines, film, the Internet) or to pursue graduate studies in
the field. You will learn about the enormous influence that these
media have had in shaping our society, as well as acquire the
writing, editing, and technological skills needed to produce
impactful media messages. |
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Strategic Communication prepares you
for a career in the more traditional communication areas of Public
Relations, Advertising, and Marketing Communications. By opting
for this concentration, you will not only acquire the specialized
writing, editing, and design skills necessary to succeed in these
fields, but will also learn the research, planning, targeting, and
creative strategies that set the outstanding performer apart from
his or her colleagues. |
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General Education Requirements |
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Media Communication Concentration |
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The Media Communication concentration requires 39
semester hours of coursework plus a minor in an area outside of the
Communication Program. A 21-semester-hour core establishes the
foundation for three 18-hour tracks. The Media Communication core
includes these courses: |
| COMM 121
Introduction to Mass Communication |
3 |
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COMM 141 Introduction
to Media Writing |
3 |
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COMM 231 Introduction
to Digital Media Technology |
3 |
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COMM 241 Reporting and
News Writing |
3 |
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COMM 321 Communication
Theory and Research |
3 |
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COMM 322 Communication
Law and Ethics |
3 |
| The core also requires three semesters of COMM 181 Student Publication Practicum, a one-hour course that provides a staff for our student publication, “Gateway Maryville.” It also provides practical experience for students in the Media Communication concentration and other students. Students in the WEC Program may substitute a three-hour course instead of taking COMM 181 three times. The Media Communication concentration offers students three tracks in which to develop specialization. They include:
Digital Media Technology, Media Studies, and
Media Writing. |
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Digital Media Technology |
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The Digital Media Technology track prepares graduates to create and deliver media messages using state-of-the-art technology. Students will take four of the following courses: |
| COMM 331 Print
Media |
3 |
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COMM 332 Digital Video
and Audio |
3 |
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COMM 333 Interactive
Media |
3 |
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COMM 342 Writing for
Interactive Media |
3 |
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COMM 431 Multimedia I |
3 |
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COMM 432 Multimedia II |
3 |
In addition, students studying Digital Media Technology will select six additional semester hours
of coursework in consultation with their academic adviser. A sample outline for
Digital Media Technology is available here. |
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Media Studies |
| The Media Studies track establishes graduates as generalists in media communication, allowing the student to pursue a variety of occupations or go on to graduate school. Students will take three of the following courses: |
| COMM 323 History of News in
America |
3 |
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COMM 324 Woman in Media |
3 |
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COMM 325
Photojournalism |
3 |
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COMM 421 Mass Media and
Society |
3 |
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COMM 422 Intercultural
and Global Communication |
3 |
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9 COMM hours at the
300-level or above in consultation with academic adviser |
| In addition, students studying Media Studies will select nine additional semester hours of coursework in consultation with their academic adviser. A sample outline for
Media Studies is available here. |
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Media Writing |
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The Media Writing track prepares graduates to write for various mass media operations or to write in the areas of advertising, marketing communication, and public relations. Students will take three of the following courses: |
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COMM 341 Broadcast News
Writing |
3 |
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COMM 342 Writing for
Interactive Media |
3 |
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COMM 343 Writing
Feature Articles |
3 |
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COMM 344 Advertising
Copywriting |
3 |
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COMM 345 Public
Relations Writing |
3 |
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COMM 346 Technical
Writing |
3 |
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Students will take the following capstone course: |
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COMM 441 Advanced News
Writing and Editing |
3 |
In addition, students studying Media Writing will select six additional semester hours of coursework in consultation with their academic adviser. A sample outline for
Media Writing is available here.
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Strategic Communication Concentration |
The Strategic Communication concentration requires 48 semester hours of coursework, but no minor is required. A 24-semester-hour core establishes the foundation for three 24-hour tracks.
The Strategic Communication core includes these courses: |
| COMM 121
Introduction to Mass Communication |
3 |
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COMM 321 Communication
Theory and Research |
3 |
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COMM 322 Communication
Law and Ethics |
3 |
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COMM 351 Advertising
Principles |
3 |
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COMM 361 Principles of
Public Relations |
3 |
COMM 423 Professional
and Organizational Communication or
COMM 499 Internship |
3
3 |
| COMM 471
Integrated Marketing Communication Campaigns |
3 |
| MKT 360
Principles of Marketing |
3 |
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The Strategic Communication concentration offers students three tracks in which to develop specialization. They include:
Advertising, Integrated Marketing Communication, and Public Relations. |
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Advertising |
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The Advertising track teaches students to create and place paid media messages,
and includes strategy, conceptualization, creativity, writing, and audience identification. Students will take the following courses: |
| COMM 141
Introduction to Media Writing |
3 |
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COMM 241 Reporting and
News Writing |
3 |
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COMM 344 Advertising
Copywriting |
3 |
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COMM 352 Advertising
Creative Strategy Development |
3 |
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COMM 451 Advertising
Media Planning |
3 |
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In addition, students studying Advertising will select nine additional semester hours of coursework in consultation with their academic adviser. A sample outline for
Advertising is available here. |
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Integrated Marketing Communication
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The Integrated Marketing Communication track prepares graduates to coordinate the communication functions of advertising, marketing, and public relations. Students will take the following courses: |
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MKT 361 Consumer Behavior |
3 |
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MKT 373 Interactive Marketing |
3 |
| In addition, students studying Integrated Marketing Communication will select nine additional semester hours of coursework in Communication and nine additional semester hours of coursework in Marketing in consultation with their academic adviser. A sample outline for
Integrated Marketing Communication is available here. |
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Public Relations |
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The Public Relations track prepares graduates to build mutually beneficial relationships with targeted audiences and to conduct activities that promote organizations. Students will take the following courses: |
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COMM 141
Introduction to Media Writing |
3 |
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COMM 241 Reporting and
News Writing |
3 |
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COMM 345 Public
Relations Writing |
3 |
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COMM 362
Public Opinion |
3 |
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COMM 461 Public
Relations Case Studies |
3 |
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In addition, students studying Public Relations will select nine additional semester hours of coursework in consultation with their academic adviser. A sample outline for
Public Relations is available here. |
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Communication Minors |
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The Communication Program offers three 18-semester-hour minors:
Communication, Media Communication, and Strategic
Communication. |
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Minor in Communication |
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Students that minor in Communication will take the following course: |
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COMM 121 Introduction
to Mass Communication |
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In addition, students will select six semester hours of courses at the 200-level or above and nine semester hours of courses at the 300-level or above in consultation with their academic adviser. |
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Minor in Media Communication
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Students that minor in Media Communication will take the following
courses: |
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COMM 121 Introduction to Mass
Communication |
3 |
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COMM 141 Introduction to Media Writing |
3 |
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COMM 231 Introduction to Digital Media Technology |
3 |
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COMM 241 Reporting and News Writing |
3 |
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COMM 321 Communication Theory and Research |
3 |
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COMM 322 Communication Law and Ethics |
3 |
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3 COMM hours at the
300-level or above in consultation with academic adviser |
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Minor in Strategic Communication |
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Students that minor in Strategic Communication will take the following
courses: |
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COMM 121
Introduction to Mass Communication |
3 |
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COMM 321
Communication Theory and Research |
3 |
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COMM 322 Communication
Law and Ethics |
3 |
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COMM 351 Advertising
Principles |
3 |
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COMM 361 Principles of
Public Relations |
3 |
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MKT
360 Principles of Marketing |
3 |
