Communication (B.A.)

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s Communication program can:

  1. Explain how various media platforms work, how they produce meanings, how they are organized, and how to use them wisely and effectively.
  2. Explain how to form and maintain healthy relationships with diverse others.
  3. Construct discourse intended to inform, persuade, and entertain.
  4. Articulate ethical communication principles and practices.
  5. Explain research methods in communication.
  6. Communicate effectively, ethically, and appropriately through writing, interaction, and speaking in public, interpersonal, and group contexts.
  7. Display proficiency in one area of communication sufficient to pursue a career and/or continue education at the graduate level.
  8. Articulate an awareness of options for employment in a communication-related field.
  9. Articulate how faith connects to the discipline and students’ area of specialization in Communication.

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

COMM 105Fundamentals of Oral Communication

3

COMM 107Introduction to Communication Seminar

1

COMM 341Communication Theory

3

COMM 359Rhetorical Theory

3

COMM 493Communication Senior Seminar

3

Three credits from the following media courses:

COMM 211Media in Everyday Life

3

COMM 218Mass Media and Society

3

COMM 282Topics in Media Studies

3

Three credits from the following interpersonal communication courses:

COMM 241Small Group Communication

3

COMM 313Relational Communication

3

COMM 342Intercultural Communication

3

COMM 354Interpersonal Conflict

3

Three credits from the following major writing courses:

COMM 112Newswriting

3

COMM 247Writing for Mass Media

3

COMM 254Screenwriting I

3

COMM 351Writing for Strategic Public Relations

3

ENGL 327Magazine Writing

3

One of the following options (1-3):

COMM 391Communication Practicum

1-3

INTE 391Internship

1-3

INTE 394Internship

4-12

INTE 391, INTE 394: INTE 391 must be taken for a letter grade to fulfill major requirement. INTE 394 may be taken for 4-12 credits. Three of the credits would count towards the major; additional credits count as free electives.

Twenty-one additional COMM credits (no overlap with other required courses), which may also include (21):

BUSA 305Writing for Business

3

HDFS 272Research Methods and Analysis in HDFS

3

PSYC 271Statistical Methods in Psychology

3

General Education Requirements

Experiential Learning requirement   0
General Education requirements   Credits
First Year Seminar IDFY 101/102H  3
Written Communication ENGL 110/110H 3
Oral Communication COMM 105 met/major
Mathematical and Scientific Ways of Knowing Mathematics 3 or 4
Science with Lab  3 or 4 
Social Scientific Ways of Knowing
Social Science 3
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing 24GE History 3
Literary & Aesthetic Ways of Knowing
Literature or Arts 3
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing
Philosophy or Religion 3
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing 1st and 2nd Level Language 6
Intercultural Perspectives Intercultural Global or International Cross-cultural or 3rd Level Language 3
Bible
24GE Bible 3
Christian Beliefs
24GE Christian Beliefs 3
Holistic Wellness
WELL 1xx 1
Ethics and the Common Good
24GE Ethics and the Common Good 3
Intercultural Perspectives
Intercultural U.S. or Domestic Cross-cultural 3
Common Learning
Experiential Learning (met if INTE 391/394)  
General Education requirements   46-48
Major requirements (inclusive of concentration)   44-46
Free Electives    29-31
Total credits   123