Students who earn a Bachelor of Arts in Communication will be prepared to work in today's global communication network in a broad range of fields, including public relations and advertising, corporate communication, marketing and sales, as well as for churches and Christian ministries. The Communication Department offers two concentrations: Public Relations and Digital Media.
Public Relations
The Public Relations concentration gives students basic communication, public relations, and media production skills. Writing for a variety of editorial platforms – print and broadcast news, digital media (blogs, websites, social media, corporate communication), and marketing – is emphasized. In addition, the public relations concentration encompasses course work in public relations research, crisis management, video production, and oral presentation.
Students in the public relations concentrations have access to a media lab featuring leading software for video production and graphic design that is identical to that used by professionals around the world.
Gaining Experience
In addition to classroom studies, students can broaden their learning experience through projects that take them into the community. Whether through conducting public relations research or implementing public relations campaigns for local organizations, students have many opportunities to apply their skills in real work-world situations.
Student work is frequently recognized through the Palmetto Awards sponsored by the South Carolina Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators and the Mercury Awards sponsored by the South Carolina Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
Anderson University is also home to a chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, the premier pre-professional organization in the nation for students preparing for communication careers.
Christian Influence
The world has an essential need for ethical communicators, and a degree in Communication from Anderson University gives graduates an opportunity to create an impact for Christ in the workplace. Media ethics and professional values based on Christian principles play a central role in the courses offered as well as in other activities such as internships, field trips and appearances by guest speakers.
Your Future as a Communicator
The degree in Communication is specialized enough to provide entry into specific job categories. For example, with the concentration in public relations, students can move into a position as a communication specialist for an organization or public relations agency, copywriter for an ad agency or as a fundraiser for a hospital. The degree is also broad enough to offer opportunities in fields as diverse as the legal profession, nonprofit organizations, and missionary work.