Major in Communication

The Department of Communication and Literature offers a B.A. major in Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations or Speech Communication.

The Communication faculty offers a unique blend of real-life experience and academic preparation. Our students have rare opportunities to experience small class sizes while also receiving hands-on instruction. FHU maintains its own radio station (WFHU). 


Public Relations

The FHU Public Relations course of study will challenge you to consider old ideas and theories and apply them to current issues in the field. Through classes in reporting, videography, PR writing, ethics, crisis communication, and others, you will develop skills that you will use every day in the field. Our graduates work in varied careers such as journalism, sales, marketing, ministry, sports information, TV news, social media consulting, freelance writing and design, and many, many others. Some graduates have gone on to graduate school in law, education, and business and have thrived in those programs. Their success is partly because of the quality of the PR program.

For more information about the Public Relations program, please contact Dr. Janine Dunlap at jdunlap@fhu.edu.



Speech Communication

The Speech Communication major is for students who are curious about communication, persuasion, and rhetoric. In this major, the student will develop communication skills as a speaker, listener, reader, and writer while learning how to analyze and assess the messages they encounter in daily life. Alumni in the Department of Communication have proceeded to graduate school in Communication or been accepted into law school. Other communication alumni have also found successful careers in broadcasting, web design, promotions, management, and other exciting careers. The courses taken within this major will cover the essentials necessary to prepare students for success in the classroom, in the workplace, and in life. For more information regarding this major, please contact Professor Matt Barker at mbarker@fhu.edu.

 

Degree Requirements

B.A. Major in Communication

Program Coordinator:  Dr. Janine Dunlap

For a complete listing of requirements for graduation, see Academics: Degree/Graduation (A portfolio is required in addition to course requirements.)

126 HOURS
   

I.  Liberal Arts Core Requirements:

34 hours

Listed in this catalog under Academics: Liberal Arts Core

II. Core Requirements:

13 hours

COM 151

Radio Station Operations

1 

COM 241

Small Group Communication OR

3

COM 243

Interpersonal Communication

(3)

COM 356 

Communication Law (W) 

3

COM 396 

Field Lab (on- or off-campus)

2 

COM 442

Communication Theories (W)

3

COM 489* 

 Senior Seminar

1

   

III. Major Requirements:
Select appropriate courses for desired major (see tables below)

18-27 hours 

     A. Public Relations 

(27 hours)

     B.  Speech Communication

(18 hours)
   

IV. Electives (including additional Bible): 

52-61 hours 

     A.  Public Relations

(52 hours) 

     B.  Speech Communication

(61 hours)

 

*A digital portfolio is required for graduation, in addition to the coursework. 
   
   

B.A. Major in Communication: Public Relations

27 hours 

Program Coordinator:  Dr. Janine Dunlap 

  

III. Major Requirements: 

  

ART 230 

Digital Graphic Fundamentals  

3 

COM 253 

Digital Storytelling (W) 

3 

COM 383

Public Relations 

3 

COM 385 

Public Relations Methods (W)

3 

COM 399I

Special Topics in Communication (W) 

3 

COM 483

Public Relations Case Studies (W)

3 

JOU 274

Basic Media Writing (W)

3 

JOU 374 

Advanced Media Writing (W)

3
     

Choose three (3) hours from the following courses:

3 hours

COM 358

Social Media

(3)

MKT 363

Personal and Professional Branding (W)

(3)

MKT 367

Digital Marketing

(3)
   

IV. Electives (including additional Bible):  

52 hours

NOTE:  A minor or major in Photography, Marketing, or Law and Politics is strongly suggested. 
   
   

B.A. Major in Communication: Speech Communication

Program Coordinator:  Dr. Janine Dunlap

  

III. Major Requirements: 

18 hours

COM 236

Intercultural Communication

3

COM 240 

Public Speaking 

3 

COM 241 

Small Group Communication OR 

3 

COM 243    

Interpersonal Communication

(3) 

COM 399I 

Special Topics in Communication (W)

3 

COM 

Electives 

6

IV.  Electives (including additional Bible): 

61 hours