The School of Communications is organized to provide superior education in journalism and the diverse fields of media; to develop an understanding of the practices and processes in media and the theories which underlie those practices and processes; and to study journalism and media in a learning environment that draws on the liberal arts, the humanities, and professional fields such as business, law and the arts.
More specifically, the School of Communications seeks to: inspire and foster creative vision; prepare enlightened students to lead, manage and staff media organizations; educate enlightened consumers to evaluate media practices; research and analyze the artistic, social, political, economic and ethical effects of media; evaluate the impact, practice and policies of media and disseminate those analyses to relevant publics and institutions in a timely manner; identify and recognize excellence in media; and serve as a watchdog for the effects of media on society.
An integrated and cohesive program in communications is one of the best ways for students to prepare for life in the 21st century. The School of Communications offers bachelor of arts and master’s degrees in disciplines that are becoming increasingly valuable in our society. The goal is to develop in students a rich and full sense of the relationship between the recent “information explosion” and Western culture. To this end, students receive practical training in various production aspects of the media to complement a thorough grounding in communication history and theories. Advanced students may arrange internships in regional media organizations. The wide variety of these internships enables the School of Communications to assess the preparation of its students on a continuing basis.
On campus, students work in one of the finest university educational facilities in the Northeast—the Ed McMahon Mass Communications Center. The center features a spacious, professional all digital high definition television studio, two radio studios, a journalism technology center, a multimedia production facility, editing suites and labs, and a mini-theater. The center is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and is staffed with highly skilled media professionals to instruct and assist students. As a result, graduates are prepared to enter both the commercial and non-commercial fields of communication, as well as those businesses and corporations where media specialists are in demand.