Communication Undergraduate Program

Learn and do – that’s the opportunity Maryville’s Communication program offers its majors. Students study the basics in the classroom and then practice what they’ve learned through a variety of opportunities ranging from real-world class clients to our online Maryville student news site, Pawprint, or weekly sports podcast, Saints Talk. The three areas of emphasis within Maryville’s Communication major reflect the major areas of today’s media and communication environment:

• Strategic Communication – The combination of public relations, advertising, and organizational communication responsible for creating and managing communication at all levels in companies and organizations.
• Applied Media Studies – Writing, editing, and designing communication messages for traditional and Web-based channels, with a strong emphasis on strategically using personal, social, and mass media to reach niche audiences. These Web-based and virtual communication messages and channels give form and substance to companies’ and organizations’ messages images and reputations.
• Contemporary Journalism – Reporting, writing, and editing for today’s online and traditional media environments, including creating and developing new media outlets on the Web.

Each area of study contains a strong mixture of knowledge reflecting the academic side, and skills demonstrating the applied, professional side. Students complete a 24-credit hour core (eight courses and a portfolio defense) along with their chosen area of emphasis.