Degree Programs
Associate's Degree
Pre-Communications Arts
Concentration
Communication professionals are expected to have a wide range of interests, and students who plan on careers in communications should develop transferable skills to prepare them for this fast-moving, innovative industry. Journalists must be prepared to write about political, economic, social and cultural events as they occur in an increasingly interdependent and diverse world. Public relations and advertising professionals must understand their institutions and culture, and the role of the mass media in society. All professionals in the communication arts share common skills and values, including an ability to handle the written word with grace and precision, and an appreciation of the ethical demands of their profession.
Requirements
All students must complete the General Education core degree requirements (link to page 2 of general education core requirements), and they must complete the following courses specific to the concentration. Courses required for the concentration may also satisfy General Education requirements.
- COM 150 – Introduction to Mass Communication
- COM 209 – Basic News Writing
- COM 221 – Introduction to Public Relations
- COM 222 – Introduction to Advertising
- COM 296 – Issues in Mass Communication
- One course in minority or non-Western culture study
Recommended Related Study
Students should make choices that meet the requirements of the program of study that they plan to pursue in the Benedictine Communication Arts degree program or at other senior colleges.
Benedictine University
Students pursing their bachelor degree in Communication Arts ( link to degree requirements) at Benedictine University can also select a minor in following areas:
Business & Economics, English Language and Literature , Management & Organizational Behavior, Marketing, Psychology , or Sociology. ( link to minor requirements)
A Sports Communication ( link to concentrations requirements) concentration is also available for Benedictine Communication students. Please contact your advisor if you are interested in pursuing your degree at Benedictine University
PRE-COMMUNICATION ARTS CONCENTRATION
Two Year Plan Course Plan
First Year
First Semester
ENG 111 - Comp. & Rhetoric [3]
COM 150-Intro. Mass Comm [3]
Fine Arts elective [3]
HUM 101 – Discourse, Inquiry [3]
MAT 106 – Numeracy [3]
Total Hours 15
Second Semester
ENG 112 - Comp. & Research [3]
Social Behavior Elective * [3]
Humanities Elective [3]
COM 209 – Basic News Writing [3]
Physical Science [4]
Total Hours 16
Second Year
First Semester
COM 221 – Intro to PR [3]
Social Behavior Elective * [3]
Elective ** [3]
Elective [3]
Elective [3]
Total Hours 15
Second Semester
Social Behavior Elective * [3]
SPH 110 – Fund. of Speech [3]
COM 222 – Intro to Advertising [3]
Elective [3]
Life Science [3]
Total Hours 15
*Recommended social behavior courses for students planning on attending Benedictine University are: PSC 210 American Federal Government, PSC 211 State and Local Government, BUS 103 Introduction to Business, and/or PSY 210 General Psychology.
** Recommended elective for students planning on attending Benedictine University is one class in philosophy, religion, literature or foreign language.