B.A. in Communication
Plymouth, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
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TUITION FEES
USD 31,900 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* rolling up to 1 week before term start allow for visa processing time
Introduction
Communicate to the Ever-Changing World
No human behavior has evolved more dramatically over the past decade than communication, and there's no stopping these winds of change. Print media continues to scramble, trying to keep up with the ever-changing online world. Social media platforms become more and more prevalent every day, and video communication is gaining in popularity.
New Media World
Communication Revolution
When it comes to communication, dramatic change is ongoing, and the traditional ways of reaching an audience simply aren't sustainable - at least on their own. Here at Lakeland University, we are on the cutting edge of the Communication Revolution, and you will be too.
It's a new media world, and the way we choose to address that fact is by making 'new media' the centerpiece of the puzzle for our Communication major. We've got something new going on because the curriculums at other colleges and universities just aren't cutting it. They haven't caught on, and we have. There's no other program like ours.
Every business needs someone with strong Communication skills. Businesses are always hiring Communication people. Communication has had the largest increase in starting salaries of all Bachelor Degree programs nationwide - a staggering 17.5% increase for graduates who majored in Communication.
Endless Opportunities: Pave Your Own Path
Courses taught by experienced instructors prepare students for a wide array of careers including public relations, journalism, web content creation and analysis, public policy research, marketing, human resources, corporate communications, labor relations, speech-writing, etc. Others will find that a degree in Communication also provides a solid foundation for continuing one’s education with a professional degree in law or business, or a graduate degree in the arts, humanities, or social sciences.
Persuasive Communication: New Media Platforms
Graphic showcasing various media platforms and ways of communication.
Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are just a few forms of "new media" that Lakeland University Communication students dig deep into. We offer courses on blogging and general web-writing strategies, as well as courses based on Google Analytics and how to track the number of online visits and visitor behavior. We delve into "new media" such as LinkedIn, Pinterest, Reddit, Tumblr, Yelp, and whatever may be new and popular by the time you're reading this.
Texting and mobile communication come up, too. Generally, our focus throughout all Communication courses is how to be more evoking in whichever medium we're using.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Traditional Undergraduate Scholarships
Lakeland is committed to providing exceptional value at a manageable cost. That's why we offer a variety of scholarships to help make the cost of your education more affordable.
We also encourage all students applying for scholarships to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
After gaining acceptance to Lakeland, you may begin applying for scholarships through your Future Muskie Portal. You will use the login information you created when you first applied to Lakeland to access the portal site. Each scholarship opportunity will be listed as a "Form" on your checklist.
If you have any questions or would like additional scholarship information, please contact your admissions counselor or the financial aid office!
Curriculum
Main Campus (Full-Time): Communication, B.A.
- COM 111 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking
- COM 130 - Introduction to Mass Media
- COM 211 - Interpersonal Communication
- OR COM 212 - Team-Based and Group Communication - the alternative option may be used as a COM elective
- COM 220 - Persuasion & Advocacy
- COM 330 - Strategic New Media and Digital Communication
- COM 340 - Communication Theory
- COM 350 - Rhetorical Criticism (WI)
- COM 351 - Mixed Methods Research for Professionals
- COM 370 - Intercultural Communication
- WRT 200 - Copywriting and Editing
Students must complete one of the following tracks:
Cooperative Education Track
A minimum of three (3) semester hours from one or a combination of the following:
- COM 120 - Debate Practicum (0-1 semester hour) *^
- COM 400 - Internship in Communication (1-3 semester hours)
- COM 490 - Independent Research in Communication (1-3 semester hours)
- WRT 211 - The Mirror: Photojournalism (0-1 semester hour) *^
- WRT 212 - The Mirror: Newswriting (0-1 semester hour) *
*Students may not enroll in multiple sections of the same course in a term.
^Courses offered at Main Campus location only. Students may enroll in these courses in the course delivery format available and may require in-person attendance.
At least eighteen (18) semester hours from the following:
- EXP 100 - Professional Protocol (1 semester hour)
- EXP 300 - Experiential Learning Seminar (1 semester hour)
- Co-requisite with 1st experience of COM/EXP 390 - EXP 301 - Work, Ethics, and the Good Life (1 semester hour)
- Co-requisite with 2nd experience of COM/EXP 390 - COM 390 - Cooperative Education Experience–Communication (1-12 semester hours)
- OR EXP 390 - Cooperative Education Experience (1-12 semester hours)
- Complete a minimum of fifteen (15) semester hours of COM/EXP 390 experience - At least six (6) semester hours must be in COM 390 - Cooperative Education Experience - Communication (1-12 semester hours)
- Optional Learning Experience: COM 391 - Cooperative Education Experience - Communication (0 semester hours)
Complete a minimum of nine (9) semester hours from the following:
At least one (1) course must be numbered 300 or above. COM 280 and COM 480 can only be taken once each for credit towards requirements.
- COM 211 - Interpersonal Communication
- OR COM 212 - Team-Based and Group Communication - if not used to fulfill the requirement above.
- COM 213 - Advanced Public Speaking
- COM 225 - Political Communication & Activism
- COM 235 - Communication, Conflict, & Negotiation
- COM 240 - American Oratory
- COM 280 - Special Topics in Communication
- COM 310 - Leadership Communication
- COM 331 - Critical Communication Approaches to New Media
- COM 332 - Media Literacy and Effects
- COM 335 - Crisis Communication
- COM 365 - Health Behavior Communication
- COM 480 - Special Topics in Communication
Public Relations and Media Production Track
A minimum of three (3) semester hours from one or a combination of the following:
- COM 120 - Debate Practicum (0-1 semester hour) *^
- COM 490 - Independent Research in Communication (1-3 semester hours)
- WRT 211 - The Mirror: Photojournalism (0-1 semester hour) *^
- WRT 212 - The Mirror: Newswriting (0-1 semester hour) *^
*Students may not enroll in multiple sections of the same course in a term.
^Courses offered at the Main Campus location only. Students may enroll in these courses in the course delivery format available and may require in-person attendance.
At least twelve (12) semester hours from the following:
- EXP 100 - Professional Protocol (1 semester hour)
- EXP 300 - Experiential Learning Seminar (1 semester hour)
- Co-requisite with 1st experience of COM/EXP 390 - EXP 301 - Work, Ethics, and the Good Life (1 semester hour)
- Co-requisite with 2nd experience of COM/EXP 390 - COM 390 - Cooperative Education Experience–Communication (1-12 semester hours)
- Complete a minimum of nine (9) semester hours from COM/EXP 390
- At least five (5) semester hours must be in COM 390 - Cooperative Education Experience–Communication (1-12 semester hours) - OR EXP 390 - Cooperative Education Experience (1-12 semester hours)
- Optional Learning Experience: COM 391 - Cooperative Education Experience–Communication (0 semester hours)
Complete a minimum of fifteen (15) semester hours from the following:
At least two (2) courses must be numbered 300 or above.
- COM 211 - Interpersonal Communication
- OR COM 212 - Team-Based and Group Communication
- COM 225 - Political Communication & Activism
- COM 235 - Communication, Conflict, & Negotiation
- COM 310 - Leadership Communication
- COM 335 - Crisis Communication
- WRT 201 - News Writing
- WRT 330 - Advertising and Public Relations Writing
- WRT 335 - Technical Writing (WI)
- WRT 350 - Writing for Nonprofits
Traditional Track
A minimum of three (3) semester hours from one or a combination of the following:
- COM 120 - Debate Practicum (0-1 semester hour) *^
- COM 400 - Internship in Communication (1-3 semester hours)
- COM 490 - Independent Research in Communication (1-3 semester hours)
- WRT 211 - The Mirror: Photojournalism (0-1 semester hour) *^
- WRT 212 - The Mirror: Newswriting (0-1 semester hour) *^
*Students may not enroll in multiple sections of the same course in a term.
^Courses offered at the Main Campus location only. Students may enroll in these courses in the course delivery format available and may require in-person attendance.
Complete a minimum of fifteen (15) semester hours from the following:
At least two (2) courses must be COM-designated numbered 300 or above, and no more than two (2) non-COM designated courses may count towards the fifteen semester hours. COM 280 and COM 480 can only be taken once each for credit towards major requirements.
- COM 211 - Interpersonal Communication
- OR COM 212 - Team-Based and Group Communication *if not used to fulfill the requirement above.
- COM 213 - Advanced Public Speaking
- COM 225 - Political Communication & Activism
- COM 235 - Communication, Conflict, & Negotiation
- COM 240 - American Oratory
- COM 280 - Special Topics in Communication
- COM 310 - Leadership Communication
- COM 331 - Critical Communication Approaches to New Media
- COM 332 - Media Literacy and Effects
- COM 335 - Crisis Communication
- COM 365 - Health Behavior Communication
- COM 480 - Special Topics in Communication
Students may take up to two approved courses outside of the COM program toward their major electives.
- These classes must be numbered 200 or above.
- These courses may not fulfill an interdisciplinary requirement.
- Please have your advisor solicit pre-approval of the courses selected from the Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts/Communication faculty.
- You will see the approved courses on the degree audit requirements once the course is in progress or completed.
Main Campus (Full-Time): Communication Minor
Minor Requirements (27 semester hours)
- COM 111 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking
- COM 130 - Introduction to Mass Media
- COM 211 or COM 212 - Interpersonal Communication or Team-Based and Group Communication (choose one)
- COM 220 - Persuasion & Advocacy
- COM 330 - Strategic New Media and Digital Communication
- COM 340 - Communication Theory
- COM 351 - Mixed Methods Research for Professionals
Electives (Choose 6 semester hours from the following)
- COM 211 or COM 212 (whichever is not used to meet the above requirement)
- COM 213 - Advanced Public Speaking
- COM 225 - Political Communication & Activism
- COM 235 - Communication, Conflict, & Negotiation
- COM 240 - American Oratory
- COM 280 - Special Topics in Communication
- COM 310 - Leadership Communication
- COM 331 - Critical Communication Approaches to New Media
- COM 332 - Media Literacy and Effects
- COM 335 - Crisis Communication
- COM 350 - Rhetorical Criticism (WI)
- COM 365 - Health Behavior Communication
- COM 370 - Intercultural Communication
- COM 480 - Special Topics in Communication
Additional Options (Choose 3 semester hours from above and a minimum of 3 semester hours from the following)
- COM 120 - Debate Practicum (0-1 semester hour)
- COM 390 - Cooperative Education Experience–Communication (1-12 semester hours)
- COM 400 - Internship in Communication (1-3 semester hours)
- COM 490 - Independent Research in Communication (1-3 semester hours)
- WRT 211 - The Mirror: Photojournalism (0-1 semester hour)
- WRT 212 - The Mirror: Newswriting (0-1 semester hour)
Program Outcome
Students who have successfully completed a B.A. in Communication from Lakeland University should be able to:
- Communicate effectively in informative, persuasive, and group public speaking situations.
- Create messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context.
- Use and discuss key communication & new media concepts and terminology.
- Critically analyze discourse.
- Write original works in accordance with professional, industry, or graduate school expectations.
- Create effective communications in digital and new media contexts.
- Develop and implement communication strategies to engage a broader community beyond the classroom.
- Practice ethical communication principles to communicate in a diverse and globally connected society.
Program Tuition Fee
Program Leaders
English Language Requirements
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