As a communications and media studies major, you’ll explore the many ways people connect, share ideas, and create impact through communication and media. As the National Communication Association explains, we focus on “how people use messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts,” examining the forms, modes, and consequences of communication and media. You will gain a deep understanding of media’s influence on society, learn principles of ethical communication, and develop research skills in both qualitative and quantitative methods—equipping you for graduate programs or careers in market research. Creating social media campaigns, developing public relations strategies, and assisting local nonprofit organizations with communication initiatives will give you hands-on experience with real-world challenges. You will gain a strong foundation in theory while developing practical skills in a concentration of your choice in one of the following three areas:
“Saint Vincent College prepared me for the real world by providing a well-rounded education and equipping me with the confidence to take on anything I set my mind to. In the world of sports, adaptability and quick thinking are essential BUT thanks to SVC and its liberal arts foundation, I was ready to hit the ground running when it came to my profession in such a fast-paced and ever-changing environment.”
Suzie Cool, C’15
Sports Broadcaster
Our students gain real world experience and college credit through internships on campus and outside of SVC at a variety of different organizations such as the Pittsburgh Pirates, PPG, Falling Water, A to Z Communications, C-SPAN and Make-a-Wish Foundation, among others. Other students serve as department ambassadors throughout the year working on social media, event planning, recruiting, and tutoring students.
Our full-time faculty all hold doctorates from some of the top graduate programs in the country and have real-world experience working in industry. Our adjunct faculty, some of whom work as news anchors, sports journalists, and media relations experts, bring a wealth of knowledge about current trends and practical experience from industry to the classroom.
Students engage in service-learning projects like teaching media literacy education and online safety practices to children and grandparents in the community.
Each year a group of our majors receive Palumbo Grants, fully funded trips, to present their social scientific research projects at the regional Eastern Communication Association conference—the oldest academic conference in the discipline. Our students conduct original research annually and have twice won the top undergraduate research awards at the Eastern Communication Association.
Students graduate from our program with the abilities and confidence to successfully pursue entrance into graduate programs and careers that draw upon skills in creating and interpreting messages and critically examining human communication.
Our students have secured jobs and internships at a variety of companies in their field and enrolled in prestigious graduate schools such as:
Companies
The communications and media studies major is part of the School for Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and supported by our core curriculum, where students delve into diverse academic subjects at both foundational and advanced levels to explore how different disciplines connect, fostering deeper self-understanding and proficiency in their chosen field of study.
Major Requirements
Students majoring in communication and media studies are required to take 30 credits in the department’s core curriculum and 21 elective credits. If interested, students can choose a concentration in
public relations or sports communication by taking the 10 required core courses in Communication and Media Studies and 7 courses (21 credits) in that concentration.
Communication Core (30 credits)
Communication and Media Studies Elective Courses (21 credits)
If not selecting a concentration, choose 7 elective courses within the major:
Electives - Public Relations Concentration
Required Courses (12 credits)
Elective Courses (9 credits)
Choose any 3 of the following elective courses:
Electives - Sports Communication
Required Courses (12 credits)
Elective Courses (9 credits)
Choose any 3 of the following elective courses:
Minor Requirements (18 credits)
Required Courses (12 credits)
Elective Courses Choose 2 courses (6 credits) from the following:
Broadcast Journalism: The class will focus on writing and reporting well-balanced, comprehensive and visually compelling stories. You will research, write, and report stories. Course objectives also include learning how to meet deadlines, learning to be a critical observer and listener, and learning how to consolidate and prioritize large volumes of information into meaningful, relevant, time-sensitive presentations.
Sports Writing: This course examines the history and different contexts of sports writing, with particular focus on narrative construction, coverage of sporting events, and analysis of teams and athletes. In addition, students will learn the skills to produce original pieces of sports writing in these different genres.
Social Media Strategies: Focused on the use of social media by professional communicators, this course focuses on understanding consumer interactions with social media, which channels are available for communication and marketing initiatives, how to develop an outcomes-focused social media strategy and how to track effectiveness of social media campaigns. You will also work through an online analytic simulation creating social media copy that drives sales, engagement, and targets specific demographic audiences.
Media Literacy: Media literacy has been defined as "the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using all forms of communication." It can empower people to be critical and mindful media users, as well as engaged citizens. This course will introduce you to the broad field of media literacy, while engaging you in activities that promote mindful media use, and encourage mindfulness as a practice and lens with which to better understand media literacy and media-related behaviors.
The Saint Vincent College Writing Center helps students become confident, independent writers through personalized support at every stage of the writing process. Students can also become writing tutors, gaining valuable experience while assisting their peers. Rooted in Benedictine Hallmarks, the center fosters a welcoming and constructive environment that celebrates individuality and collaboration.
Located in Prep Hall, the Mac lab features 16 Macintosh Apple computers equipped with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) necessary for video production and print design and production.
Student Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America
Chapter of the Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honor Society
