Communication
Your professors in the Communication program will work with you to create the academic path that results in the career of your dreams. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to learning. When you study Communication, your professional and personal goals matter, and you’ll take an active role in building a plan that provides the skills and experience needed for success in the modern business world.
No matter which classes you chose, this program is centered around the powerful skill of storytelling. Journalists use it to deliver compelling news; corporate communication specialists use it to shape an organization’s image; and social media strategists use it to engage followers and build brands. You’ll learn the skills to be a strong storyteller and content creator through non-fiction writing, multimedia, video production, public speaking, data collection and expression, and artificial intelligence.
Your experiences in the program will also prepare you to strategically tailor your message to a variety of audiences through different media platforms, both digital and traditional. The versatility of this degree allows students to pursue a number of careers in traditional media, writing, multimedia, social media, and strategic or corporate communication. Some of our students also choose to advance their study of communication through graduate school, where they often specialize in mass communication, journalism, communication and technology, and corporate communication.
This student-led organization creates media for a variety of platforms, including YouTube and Spotify. Members utilize Laker TV studios, a video production lab that telecasts on Spectrum Cable in the City of Erie, and a Digital Audio Lab for creating podcasts and streaming audio. The club features multiple branches, including audio/radio, blogging, gaming, TV production, new digital communication platforms, sports broadcasting, broadcast journalism, and videography/photography. It provides not only fun in working with other like-minded creative students but helps the student build his/her media portfolio. All majors are welcome to join.
- ACCT 101: Principles of Accounting (Three credits)
- MGMT 120: Principles of Management (Three credits)
- MKTG 162: Principles of Marketing (Three credits)
- DANC 200: Introduction to Arts Administration (Three credits)
- DANC 475: Arts Management Internship (Three credits)
- ART 128: Graphic Design Basics (Three credits)
- COM 240: Digital Video Production (Three credits)
- COM 260: Introduction to Social Media (Three credits)
- ART 321: Introduction to Website Design (Three credits)
- COM 312: Communication & Social Responsibility (Three credits)
- COM 314: Global Communications (Three credits)
- COM 330: Web & Social Media Analytics & Strategies (Three credits) Requires COM 260 to be taken previously or concurrently.
- ART 100: Drawing I (Three credits)
- ART 122 or 123: Art History (Three credits)
- ART 125: Two-Dimensional Design (Three credits)
- ART 126: Three-Dimensional Design (Three credits)
- Basic Level Two-Dimensional Studio (Three credits)
- Basic Level Three-Dimensional Studio (Three credits)
- Art Electives (Two) (Three credits)
- ART 122: Ancient to Medieval Art History (Three credits)
- ART 123: Renaissance to 20th Century Art History (Three credits)
- ART 128: Basic Computer Design (Three credits)
- ART 223: History of Modern Art (Three credits)
- ART 224: History of Photography (Three credits)
- ART 230: Graphic Design History (Three credits)
- ID 220: History of Interior Design (Three credits)
- ID 221: History of Architecture (Three credits)
- ARTH 125: Art Therapy I (Three credits)
- ARTH 225: Art Therapy II (Three credits)
- ARTH 325: Art Therapy III (Three credits)
- PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychology (Three credits)
- ART 100: Drawing I
- ART 102: Ceramics I
- ART 128: Basic Computer Design
- COM 101: Communication in Society (Three credits) Mass Media
- COM 102: Interpersonal Communication (Three credits)
- COM 260: Introduction to Social Media (Three credits)
- Students must take three additional courses within the Communication Department, two of which must be 300-level or higher.
- ARTH 125: Introduction to Expressive Therapies (Three credits)
- PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychology (Three credits)
- One developmental psychology course (Three credits):
- PSYC 241: Developmental Psychology: Childhood,
- PSYC 242: Developmental Psychology: Adolescence, or
- PSYC 142: Lifespan Development
- Abnormal Psychology (Three credits)
- COM 210: Mindful Communication (Three credits), ARTH 275: Group Practices (Three credits), or SOC 204: Cultural Differences (Three credits)
- And a least two courses in creative fields or modalities with prefixes ART, ARTH, THEA, DANC, MUS (Six credits) (At least one should be a 200-level or higher)
- ART 100: Drawing I (Three credits)
- ART 125: Two-Dimensional Design (Three credits)
- ART 128: Basic Computer Design (Three credits)
- ART 220: Introduction to Graphic Design (Three credits)
- ART 221: Digital Imagery (Three credits)
- Three approved Graphic Design electives (Three credits)
- ART 106: Photography I
- ART 128: Basic Computer Design
- ART 206: Intermediate Photography
- ART 223: History of Modern Art
- ART 224: History of Photography
- ART 305: Digital Photography
- ART 306: Color Photography
- ART 400: Individualized Studio I
- ART 128: Graphic Design Basics (Three credits)
- COM 260: Introduction to Social Media (Three credits)
- ART 221: Digital Imagery (Three credits)
- ART 321: Introduction to Website Design (Three credits)
- ART 225: Computer Illustration Technology (Three credits)
- ART 325: Intermediate Website Design (Three credits)
- ART 326: Advanced Website Design (Three credits)
OR - COM 202: Contemporary Media Literacy (Three credits)
- COM 240: Digital Media Production I (Three credits)
- COM 330: Social Media Management (Three credits)
- THEA 110: Acting I (Three credits)
- THEA 245: Script Analysis: From Page to Stage (Three credits)
- THEA 290: Topics in Theatre History (Three credits)
- THEA 401: Practicum (Three credits)
Consists of 21 credits as follows:
Two electives of the following, at least one 300-level course.
A Communication minor complements various majors and allows students to refine their professional and creative skills further. The minor includes six courses, consisting of 18 credits.
Required Courses
Course Choices (Nine credits)
Minors (unless permitted by the department chair) are not able to take COM 390: Professional Development or COM 473/475: Internship.
The Social Media and Web minor integrates with a student’s chosen major to harness the power of convergence and analytics by training students to use emerging technologies and web-based communication. Combined with their major field of study, the Social Media and Web minor prepares students to be skilled practitioners in the new media landscape. The courses enable students to participate in and adapt to cyberspace’s virtual forum through proper protocols informed by communication theory. Students who are majors may pursue the Minor Electives Cluster in Website Design in the Art Department. In contrast, Graphic Design majors may pursue the Minor Electives Cluster in Communication.
Required Courses
Minor Electives Cluster
Choose two: If courses in the minor cluster are required for your major, please take the opposite cluster.
Fast Facts
- Hands-on experience begins as soon as freshman year with access to Laker Student Media. This multi-platform student-led organization creates content for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Spotify
- A professional development course sets our graduates up for success; Students learn to perform deep-dive job searches, practice interviewing, create online resumes and digital portfolios, and develop professional skills
- Our alumni have become social media managers, journalists, public relations executives, event planners, business owners, teachers, lawyers, and advertising and sales executives
- Many companies waive the experience requirements to hire our students right after graduation due to the practical experience of working with real-world clients through in-class projects and internships
- COM 101: Mass Media (Three credits)
- COM: 110: Public Speaking (Three credits)
- COM 202: Contemporary Media Literacy (Three credits)
- COM 210: Mindful Communication (Three credits) or COM 102: Interpersonal Communication (Three credits)
- COM 240: Digital Media Production (Three credits) or approved video production class
- COM 260: Introduction to Social Media (Three credits)
- COM 290: Professional Media Writing (Three credits)
- COM 350: Artificial Intelligence in Communication (Three credits)
- COM 390: Professional Development (Three credits)
- COM 475: Internship (Up to three credits)
- COM 261: Principles of Public Relations (Three credits)
- COM 312: Communication & Social Responsibility (Three credits)
- COM 310: Human Behavior & Persuasion (Three credits)
- COM 413: Crisis Communication (Three credits)
- COM 431: Strategic Communication (Three credits)
- ART 160: Film Appreciation (Three credits)
- ART 128: Basic Computer Design (Three credits)
- COM 211: Communication Theory & Research (Three credits)
- ART 221: Digital Imagery (Three credits)
- COM 241: Media Performance (Three credits)
- COM 250: Introduction to Journalism (Three credits)
- COM 251: Broadcast Journalism (Three credits, must have COM 240 & 250)
- COM 340: Digital Video Production II (Three credits)
- ART 128: Basic Computer Design (Three credits)
- ART 321: Introduction to Website Design (Three credits)
- COM 330: Social Media Management (Three credits)
- COM 440: Digital Content Creation (Three credits)
- COM 185: Introduction to Sports Communication (Three credits)
- COM 245: Sports Journalism (Three credits) or COM 380: Public Relations (Three credits)
- COM 415: Sports Media Production & Performance (Three credits) or COM 460: Digital Content Creation (Three credits)
Complete two courses from each of the following two categories:
Section One: Theory, Planning, & Management (Choose two courses, six credits)
Theory, Planning, & Management elective courses explore how communication works, how to design strategic messages for specific audiences, and how to lead and evaluate communication efforts within organizations or campaigns.
Section Two: Skill Sets (Chose two courses, six credits)
Skill Sets elective courses are practical, hands-on classes that focus on developing specific professional abilities that prepare students for real-world communication roles across various industries.
Core courses, plus:
Social Media & Web Track
The Social Media & Web course track focuses on the strategic use of digital platforms for communication, emphasizing social media, web content creation, analytics, and audience engagement. Students learn how to craft compelling digital narratives, manage online communities, and leverage emerging technologies to drive communication goals across various industries.
Sports Communication Track
The Sports Communication track focuses on the study and practice of effective communication within the sports industry. Depending on the student’s interests, it covers media relations, sports journalism, broadcasting, public relations, and digital media. Students gain skills in storytelling, audience engagement, and ethical communication while preparing for careers in sports media, team communications, or event promotion.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify critical information relating to the history, laws, and ethics of communication and the individuals responsible for shaping it
- Explain and apply general theories and research methods used in communication
- Demonstrate proficiency in oral communication in both small and large group settings
- Write clearly and correctly in the style appropriate for the audience and objective
- Develop an understanding of and practice skills in current and emerging communication technologies relevant to the student’s area of interest
- Demonstrate accumulated knowledge within professional settings and situations
Brian Sheridan, M.A.
Program Director, Communication Program
Office: Hirt 108
Meet the Faculty
Art, Design, and Communication
