Communication

Program Description

Careers in broadcasting, journalism, public relations, videography, multimedia production, documentary filmmaking and other communication fields start with AUM’s bachelor’s degree in Communication. You can choose from three concentrations: Communication Studies, Journalism, and Public Relations.

In the Communication Studies track, you’ll learn about media law and ethics, media writing and researching, and the purposes, functions and effects of the mass media on individuals, institutions, culture and social structure. The Journalism track allows you to dive deeper to develop your writing and editing skills, along with learning digital video production. For those who would like to have a career in public relations, this track helps you understand PR programs and planning, along with developing your writing, editing and research skills specific to the profession.

The skills you’ll develop in verbal and written communication will also prepare you for careers in business, government and nonprofit agencies.

Points of Pride

Journalism students can intern at WSFA, RSVP Montgomery magazine, and The Andalusia Star-News.
Public Relations students can intern in local organizations such as Baptist Hospital, State Farm Insurance, and the Alabama Department of Transportation.

Put Your Degree to Work

Note: While salaries vary depending on several factors including your level of experience, education and training, and geography and industry, here is a sampling of the future job growth and salaries in this area.

Employment of media and communication occupations is projected to grow 4 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations, which will result in about 27,600 new jobs. Demand for media and communication occupations is expected to arise from the need to create, edit, translate, and disseminate information through a variety of different platforms.

The median annual wage for media and communication occupations was $57,530 in May 2018, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $38,640.

	U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics sample
Jobs	Median Annual Pay	Job Growth through 2028
Film and Video Editors and Camera Operators	$58,990	11%
Public Relations Specialists	$60,000	6%
Writers and Authors	$62,170	0%

For More Information

Department of Communication and Theatre
Auburn University at Montgomery
Liberal Arts 223
334-244-3379
communicationtheatre@aum.edu

Soaring Warhawks

Allison Stewart is a Digital Media Associate at the Alabama Department of Pardons and Paroles.
Darrell Puckett is a sports reporter at WAKA.
Anna O-Neal is Assistant Director of communications at First United Methodist Church of Montgomery.
Deanna Chavez-Gates is a producer at WSFA.

Program Overview

The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires. For a full review of this program in detail, please see our official online catalog AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the core curriculum courses required for all majors and may not include some program-specific information, such as admissions, retention and termination standards.

Course sampling specific to the Communication major includes:

Required Courses

Course #	Course Name	Course Description
COMM 2100	Media and Culture	A critical examination of the purposes, functions and effects of the mass media on individuals, institutions, culture and social structure.
COMM 2703	Media Writing I	An introduction to basic writing skills in the mass media.
COMM 2743	Media Writing II	Introduction to print and electronic information gathering. Writing and editing practice.
COMM 4820	Media Law and Ethics	Origins and background of laws governing the mass media; consideration of ethical problems of the media.
COMM 4130	Media Research Methods	A survey of media research principles and practices applicable to media professions and academic research.

Electives
Foreign Language (8 semester hours)
Social Science (6 semester hours)
Communication Electives (22 semester hours)
General Electives (9 semester hours)

Journalism Track Required Courses
COMM 2783	Digital Video Journalism	Principles and practices of broadcast journalism, with an emphasis on news. Writing and production of news programs, specials and documentaries.
COMM 3743	Advanced Media Writing	Advanced print and electronic media news gathering, reporting practice and methods and news editing.
COMM 2773	Digital Video Production I	Course is an introduction to the terminology, theory and practice of small video and multimedia production techniques. Focus on developing proficiency in planning, shooting and editing short video projects.

Public Relations Track Required Courses
COMM 3800	Public Relations I	Principles and practice of publicity and public relations programs and planning. Case studies.
COMM 3843	Writing for Public Relations	Forms and styles of public relations writing, stressing essential skills of written communication needed in public relations.
COMM 4800	Public Relations II	Case study work on public relations problems for the university and the community.

Communication

Communication

Points of Pride

Put Your Degree to Work

For More Information

Soaring Warhawks

Program Overview

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