Understand complex human communication processes
The Communication and Media Studies program aims to cultivate an understanding of the role of media in our society and the world, and the ability to facilitate effective communication at the local, global, and glocal level. At the theoretical level, students will learn theories of interpersonal communication; mass communication; intercultural communication; international media systems and issues; and the application of theories to various contexts/specific issues. At the practical level, students will develop effective information gathering and organizational skills; critical thinking and flexibility in making sense of information; effective writing skills; effective listening and speaking skills; a higher level of interpersonal and intercultural communication competence; and media literacy.
Students who have completed a major in Communication and Media Studies will be prepared to begin at an entry level in the professions of media industries, human resources, public relations and advocacy, marketing, and advertising, and consulting. The program will also prepare students to move on to a graduate program in Communication and Media Studies, which will help continue their professional development in such areas as a media and public relations, marketing, media research, and organizational consulting.
Communication and Media Studies Requirements
*All Bachelor of Arts degrees require a total of 120 credits consisting of Core Requirements, Major Requirements, and General Elective courses. Prerequisites may be required for courses outside of the major.Admission CriteriaUndergraduate admission to Franklin University Switzerland is selective, competitive and based primarily on the following:
- High School Record
- Personal Recommendations
- SAT I or ACT Scores
By the time you start your application, you are expected to have completed a solid university preparatory program. We recommend a program that includes four years of English grammar, composition, and literature; three years of a foreign language; three years of history; three years of mathematics, and two years of science. Coursework in areas such as art, computer science, and music is also recommended.Cost & Fees
- US Nationals / Permanent Residents and Canadian Nationals
Academic Tuition Includes Academic Travel (Required, two weeks each semester): $40,800 per year - All Other Nationalities
Academic Tuition Includes Academic Travel(Required, two weeks each semester): CHF 49,100 per year
| Required Courses (18 Credits) |
COM180 Public Speaking
COM201 Fundamentals of Media Studies and Criticism
COM202 Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication
COM203 Communication Research Methods
One of the following:
COM301 Globalization and Media
COM302 Intercultural Communication: Theory, Research, and Practice Capstone Requirement (3 Credits) One of the following:
COM497 Senior Research Seminar in Communication and Media Studies
COM498 Internship in Communication and Media Studies Major Electives (12 Credits) Four of the following:
COM300 History of Mediated Communication
COM301 Globalization and Media
COM302 Intercultural Communication: Theory, Research, and Practice
COM310 Issues in Journalism
COM320 The Art of Persuasion: Social Influence in Theory and Practice
COM326 Digital Communication: Theory and Strategy
COM327 Producing Digital Media: Communication and Media in Practice
COM340 Argumentation and Media Ethics
COM347 Organizational Communication
COM350 Mediated Relationships
COM352 Environmental Discourses
COM365 Media Regulation and Policy
COM370 Topics in Communication and Media Studies
COM497 Senior Research Seminar in Communication and Media Studies
COM498 Internship in Communication and Media Studies
COM499 Senior Thesis in Communication and Media Studies
With permission of the department:
COM220T Symbolizing Scottish Folk
COM225T Technologized Bodies: Mobile ICTs in the City
COM230T Communication, Fashion, and the Formation of Taste
COM295 Media Consumption, Fashion, and Identity Interdisciplinary Electives (6 Credits) Two of the following:
AHT213 Art and Ideas: Exploring Vision
AHT216 Introduction to the History of Photography
AHT338 The City and Its Representation in the 20th Century
AHT361 The Visual Culture of Disaster
AHT362 Visual Semiotics: Signs and Symbols in Art, Architecture, Film, and Fashion
BUS285 Integrated Marketing Communications
BUS410 Organizational Behavior and Leadership
CLCS200 Gender and Sexuality in a Global Context
CLCS220 Inventing the Past: The Uses of Memory in a Changing World
CLCS225 Music and Popular Culture
CLCS230 Science / Fiction: Envisioning the Possible
CLCS241 Forbidden Acts: Queer Studies and Performance
CLCS242 Representations of Poverty in Literature, Film and the Media
CLCS243 The Cultural Politics of Sports
CLCS300 (Re)Defining Masculinity
CLCS310 The Culture of Cities
CLCS320 Culture, Class, Cuisine: Questions of Taste
CLCS330 The Politics of Mobility: Exile and Immigration
CLCS340 Fashion and Popular Culture
CLCS350 Culture and Human Rights
CLCS360 Critical Race Studies in a Global Context
CLCS371 Law and Culture
ENV200 Understanding Environmental Issues
ENV220 Ecocritical Approaches to Literature
FRE374 Introduction to French Cinema
FRE376 French Cinema: The New Wave
GER373 German Film as Medium of Culture
GER376 Screening Swissness: An Introduction to Swiss-German Film
HIS325 Human Rights in History
IS280T Italian Cinema on Location: Projections of the Eternal City in Italian Film and Cultural Studies
ITA353 Italian Theater Workshop
ITA373 Italian Film and Society
ITA374 Italian Cinema
LIT201 Deception
LIT243 On Being Human
LIT305 Home
LIT320 Elective Ties: Love, Friendship, Community
PSY201 Social Psychology
PSY202 Developmental Psychology
PSY203 Theories of Personality
PSY210 Cognitive Psychology
PSY220 Multicultural Psychology
PSY310 Organizational Psychology
PSY315 Environmental Psychology
STA200 Computer Graphics in Advertising
STA209 The Video Essay: From Conception to Projection
STA279 The Video Essay and Photography on Location in Europe
STA300 Computer Graphics in Advertising, Advanced
or any additional COM course (COM xxx)
Tuition and Fees
US nationals or permanent residents / Canadian nationals
Cost of Attendance
The actual cost of attendance will vary depending on circumstances, based on how far you have to travel to reach Franklin, the choices you make regarding meals and housing, and more. The costs can be broken into Direct vs. Indirect costs (see below).
Direct Costs
These will appear on the billing statement each semester and may vary based on the cost of housing and meal plan the student chooses. These costs include tuition, university fees, room, and board as well as Swiss health insurance. Exact amounts or averages for these costs (for example for housing or insurance) are provided below.
| Tuition and Fees | Per Semester | Per Year |
| Academic Tuition Includes Academic Travel (Required, two weeks each semester) |
$20,400 | $40,800 |
| Annual University Fees | $710 | $1,420 |
| Orientation Fee (new incoming students only) |
$500 | $500 |
| Housing and Meals | ||
| Average Residence Hall | $5,045 | $10,090 |
| Meal Plan (required for all first-year students) |
$1,600 | $3,200 |
| Health Insurance | ||
| Average Insurance for Non-Swiss citizens* | $790 | $1,580 |
*Swiss law requires that all students are covered by Swiss medical insurance. The cost varies according to the age of the student. For information regarding the cost of Swiss medical insurance for 2017-2018 please see Health and Counseling.
Indirect Costs
These costs are incidental to the student’s attendance and are fully managed by the student and their family. These costs include travel costs to/from Franklin each semester, the purchase of books and supplies as well as personal costs for weekend travel, toiletries, and such. Each family can reduce these costs by planning travel early, sending care packages from home that include lower-priced toiletries, buying used books and more.
| Typical Expenses | Per Semester | Per Year |
| Books and other materials | $700 | $1,400 |
| Travel to and from campus (average cost of an intercontinental flight) | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Average cost for personal expenses, off-campus meals, independent travel (based on student surveys) | $1,500 | $3,000 |
Total Average Cost of Attendance
Based on the above estimates and average costs, the typical total cost of attendance for a non-Swiss, new incoming undergraduate student (e.g. a first-year undergraduate student, incoming study abroad student or transfer student) coming from the US or Canada would calculate as follows:
| Average Direct Costs | Average Indirect Costs | Total | |
| First Semester | $29,045 | $3,200 | $32,245 |
| Second Semester | $28,545 | $3,200 | $31,745 |
Non - US or Canadian national or a permanent US resident
Cost of Attendance
The actual cost of attendance will vary depending on circumstances, based on how far you have to travel to reach Franklin, the choices you make regarding meals and housing, and more. The costs can be broken into Direct vs. Indirect costs (see below).
Direct Costs
These will appear on the billing statement each semester and may vary based on the cost of housing and meal plan the student chooses. These costs include tuition, university fees, room, and board as well as Swiss health insurance. Exact amounts or averages for these costs (for example for housing or insurance) are provided below.
| Tuition and Fees | Per Semester | Per Year |
| Academic Tuition Includes Academic Travel (Required, two weeks each semester) |
CHF 24,550 | CHF 49,100 |
| Annual University Fees | CHF 710 | CHF 1,420 |
| Orientation Fee (new incoming students only) |
CHF 500 | CHF 500 |
| Housing and Meals | ||
| Average Residence Hall | CHF 5,045 | CHF 10,090 |
| Meal Plan (required for all first-year students) |
CHF 1,600 | CHF 3,200 |
| Health Insurance | ||
| Average Insurance for Non-Swiss citizens* | CHF 790 | CHF 1,580 |
*Swiss law requires that all students are covered by Swiss medical insurance. The cost varies according to the age of the student. For information regarding the cost of Swiss medical insurance for 2017-2018 please see Health and Counseling.
Indirect Costs
These costs are incidental to the student’s attendance and are fully managed by the student and their family. These costs include travel costs to/from Franklin each semester, the purchase of books and supplies as well as personal costs for weekend travel, toiletries, and such. Each family can reduce these costs by planning travel early, sending care packages from home that include lower-priced toiletries, buying used books and more.
| Typical Expenses | Per Semester | Per Year |
| Books and other materials | CHF 700 | CHF 1,400 |
| Travel to and from campus (average cost of an intercontinental flight) | CHF 1,000 | CHF 2,000 |
| Average cost for personal expenses, off-campus meals, independent travel (based on student surveys) | CHF 1,500 | CHF 3,000 |
Total Average Cost of Attendance
Based on the above estimates and average costs, the typical total cost of attendance for a non-Swiss, new incoming undergraduate student (e.g. a first-year undergraduate student, incoming study abroad student or transfer student) coming from the US or Canada would calculate as follows:
| Average Direct Costs | Average Indirect Costs | Total | |
| First Semester | CHF 33,195 | CHF 3,200 | CHF 36,395 |
| Second Semester | CHF 32,195 | CHF 3,200 | CHF 35,395 |
Scholarships & Financial Aid
At Franklin, we see financing your education as an investment and partnership among you, your family, and the University. About 70 percent of Franklin students receive financial aid in a variety of forms, such as need- and merit-based scholarships, government and private aid and engagement incentives. Franklin offers scholarships, financial aid, and other initiatives, and various external programs are available based on citizenship and need assessment. Together we will create your financial aid package and carefully guide you through your financing options.
Need-based Aid
Students of all nationalities are encouraged to apply for financial aid. Information about how and when to apply, various aid programs available and eligibility is available in our dedicated section on Financial Aid.
Scholarships and Merit Awards
Merit scholarships are given to students who have demonstrated high academic achievement and are renewed each year, for four years. These scholarships are automatically awarded at the time of admission and are not based on need or family income. Priority is given to students applying for admission by the December 1, 2017, deadline. After December 1, we may continue to award merit scholarships, if funds are still available. For more information, students are advised to contact our office in Lugano.
Below is a range of awards available for the incoming class of Fall Semester 2018.
| Merit Award Amounts for US Students (US dollars) |
Merit Award Amounts for Students outside of the US (Swiss francs) |
| $22,000 | CHF 28,500 |
| $18,000 | CHF 24,500 |
| $16,000 | CHF 22,500 |
| $12,000 | CHF 18,500 |
| Up to $5000 | Up to CHF 5000 |
Swiss Matura Initiative
Specific financial incentives are available for students holding a Swiss national high school diploma (Matura).
Starting with the 2016-17 academic year, Franklin University Switzerland offers students holding a Swiss national high school diploma ('Matura') the opportunity to earn a Bachelor degree in a discipline of their choice in a program designed just for them.
Life-long Learning Scholarship Program
The Life-Long Learning Scholarship Program (LLLS) supports students by preparing them to be career-ready upon graduation from Franklin, not only with regard to academic foundations in their respective disciplines but also by providing them with skills that are essential in public and private sector employment in a wide variety of settings. By participating in the Life-Long Learning Scholarship program, students will experience a strong sense of engagement with the University, develop leadership skills, and have the opportunity to learn and develop practical skills in a number of fields and areas.
LLLS Program Eligibility for Students
- All undergraduate students enrolled at Franklin University Switzerland with full-time status (a minimum of four-semester courses) may apply for an LLLS position.
- A cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher is required to be eligible for the LLLS program.
- All applicants MUST have an account in good standing with the University in order to be eligible for the LLLS program.
- Resident Assistants are eligible for LLLS positions for a maximum of 5 hours per week and only with permission from their supervisors.
LLLS Position Levels
The LLLS positions are classified into various levels. First-year students start with simpler, service-oriented positions and progress to more challenging positions with greater responsibility and increased complexity during their upper-class years.
- Tier I: Task-oriented. Entry-level students learn basic career skills and experienced students have proven to be dependable. Students may have time to study while conducting projects after their assigned tasks have been completed.
- Tier II: Students learn project management and more advanced career skills. Experienced students have the capacity to train and supervise beginner level students. Students do not have time to study during their assigned projects.
- Research Assistant or other Academic Assistant Position: Students perform basic to advanced academic research and complete academic projects. Students do not have time to study during their assigned projects.
The LLLS program allows students to experience a strong sense of engagement with the University, develop leadership skills, and have the opportunity to learn and develop practical skills in a number of fields and areas. Students are expected to maintain communication with their supervisor about the schedule, tasks, and deadlines. Supervisors are expected to provide training for LLLS students to fully acclimate the student to the new role.
LLLS Administration
At the beginning of each semester, information about open LLLS positions and the application process is sent to students' Franklin email accounts. The LLLS Program is coordinated by the Dean of Student Life and Engagement in collaboration with the Vice President for Finance and Administration and the Franklin Bursar.
Program taught in:
- English (US)
See 15 more programs offered by Franklin University Switzerland »
$40,800 annual tuition fee for US Nationals / Permanent Residents and Canadian Nationals; CHF 49,100 annual tuition fee for not a US or Canadian national or a permanent US resident