EDUCATION FACULTY & ALUMNI

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications, with a concentration in Public Relations, prepares students for careers as advocates of businesses, nonprofit associations, governments, hospitals, academic institutions, and other organizations. Good public relations is an essential component of contemporary organizations. The Communications major provides students with the necessary foundation skills for organizational functions such as consumer, and governmental relations, employee and investor relations, media relations, and community relations. The Communications major, in general, provides students opportunities to develop strategic communication, writing and critical thinking skills that are vital in the global marketplace.

We offer a unique Communications program that provides students with the skills vital for success in our changing, information society. Our current degree, the Bachelor of Science in Communications, with a concentration in Public Relations, is flexible in that it enables students to develop writing, management and production skills in broadcasting, desktop publishing, and multimedia production. Future majors will include News Editorial (Print); Online Journalism & New Media; Broadcasting (Radio, Television, Film); Visual and Multimedia Communication (Photography, Graphic Arts, Desktop Publishing), Advertising, and Speech.

Program Description

The Communications program offers an undergraduate major and minor in public relations. Future majors will include news editorial, online journalism/new media, broadcasting (radio, television, film), visual and multimedia communication (photography, graphic arts, desktop publishing), advertising, and speech.

Admission

Students admitted unconditionally to Florida Memorial University may indicate Communications as a major. Upon matriculation at the College, they must complete the general education requirements before taking communications courses.

Graduation Requirements

Students are required to complete 125 credit hours before graduating from the program. The requirements include general education courses, communications courses and electives. Internships and the Senior Project are two significant requirements for graduation. The Senior Project is a Capstone course that requires each senior to prepare a research paper or project of not less than 25 typed pages during the senior year. The paper or project must be evaluated by a jury of the faculty and must be given a passing grade (“C” or better) before the student is allowed to graduate.

Internships

Students have been successful at gaining internship opportunities at local and national media establishments. To be considered for an internship, the student must have completed the following courses: COM 203, COM 294, COM 205, COM 301, COM 314, COM 317.

During the internship, a representative from the Office of Career Development and Placement at Florida Memorial University visits the host company and gets feedback about the student’s performance. At the end of the internship, the student’s direct supervisor completes an evaluation form and mails or faxes it directly to the department head.

Advising

Students admitted into the program are presently advised by the coordinator. In the future, each student will be assigned to an advisor. The coordinator advises students in the selection of their courses, internships, job placement possibilities and career opportunities and choices. Students should adhere to the following basic guidelines.

Helpful Advising Hints

1. Complete all general education requirements during the first two years before taking any Communications courses.
2. Remember that Communications courses have prerequisites, so they shouldn’t be taken out of sequence.
3. Feel free to discuss any internship, career or job placement opportunities with the adviser before signing up for an internship.
4. Typing is a critical skill that you will need throughout your Communications career. If you are not typing 35 wpm or more, you should work on this skill.
5. Professional conduct is expected from you throughout your student years and beyond. This includes being on time for all events and classes; notifying your instructors if you are unable to attend class; making sure you drop a class before the drop date.
6. Be active. Join and participate in student clubs and organizations. They provide activities that can enhance your resume and ease your job hunting task.

Academic Degree Plans for:Bachelor of Arts in Communications(PDF)