Communication, Journalism, and Media, School of
Course Designators: MCA, COM, IPR, JRN
For information, please contact the SCJM office, 989-774-3177, Moore Hall 333; https://www.scjm.cmich.edu
Communication, Journalism, and Media
The disciplines in the School of Communication, Journalism, and Media provide you with the opportunity to study a broad range of communication, including interpersonal communication and debate, professional strategic communications, media arts, and social media. The four areas in the School, Advertising and Public Relations, Communication, Journalism, and Media Arts, offer you hands-on opportunities through co-curricular activities, student organizations, and internships that will provide you with the essential skills to be an effective twenty-first century communicator.
Why Study Strategic Communication?
Strategic Communication is the study of communication strategies, principles, tactics, and initiatives that further the goals of an organization. Students learn how to use social and digital media to promote and advance the public image of businesses and organizations. Student can pick from majors in Advertising, Integrative Public Relations, or Journalism with a Public Relations Concentration.
Students interested in one of these programs are advised to contact a College of the Arts and Media or Strategic Communication advisor as early as possible and meet with that advisor each semester before registering for classes. Majors and minors are also expected to be involved each semester in co-curricular activities: the Public Relations Student Society of America, PR Central, and the American Advertising Federation, also known as Ad Club.
Employers expect Advertising, Integrative Public Relations, and Public Relations graduates to have completed at least one internship which is an indicator that an applicant has the attitude and skills necessary to be successful in the workplace. The School of Communication, Journalism, and Media Internship Coordinator will provide input on finding internships that match your career interests and allow you to build a portfolio of your work.
Advertising at CMU
Our advertising program combines theoretical, conceptual, and practical classes with hands-on experiences. You will have opportunities to learn about advertising research, messaging, and creative strategies, writing advertising copy and design, media planning and integrated marketing communication.
CMU’s Advertising program is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, a distinction held by only one other Michigan university.
Integrative Public Relations and Public Relations Concentration at CMU.
As part of our Integrative Public Relations and Journalism with Public Relations concentration programs you will build the skills and talents to earn and maintain public confidence in organizations of any size. Whether it’s a multinational manufacturer, a hospital, or a local charity, earning and maintaining public confidence is the role of the public relations practitioner. Both majors will prepare you to develop the skills to be the voice of an organization and establish a dialogue with different audiences. You will learn to do research, craft media releases, develop social media strategies and content, plan events, create and implement communication plans to advance the company, and address social problems through the strategic use of organizational resources.
CMU’s Journalism with Public Relations Concentration program is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, a distinction held by only one other Michigan university. The Integrative Public Relations major is an interdisciplinary major that includes courses from the School of Communication, Journalism, and Media; Business; Art; and others.
Why Study Communication?
The ability to communicate well, crucial to all of our activities, is developed through informed and careful study in the discipline of communication. Among the many areas of study are: public speaking, intercultural communication, business and organizational communication, interpersonal and group communication, debate and persuasion.
Communication at CMU
Communication at CMU addresses the complex nature of oral communication in its various forms.
The professional and academic goals for Communication are the following: (1) to generate an appreciation for and an ability to utilize communication theory appropriate to the students’ vocational aspirations and societal needs; (2) to encourage the development of communication skills that help students build and maintain a sense of self-worth, understanding, and self-confidence; (3) to explore the integration of communication theory and skills with other social-science disciplines; (4) to sensitize students to the variety of perspectives and perceptions of people from different backgrounds and cultures and show the role of communication in creating understanding; (5) to assist students in developing communication competencies that enhance self-directed learning and problem-solving ability; (6) to provide service for the public good; (7) to provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate communication skills in applied communication settings; (8) to provide quality education to update and refine the students’ knowledge in accordance with their developing needs; and (9) to contribute to the general advancement of knowledge by stimulating and supporting research efforts.
The Communication Area offers a major and minor in Communication as well as an undergraduate certificate in Professional Communication and Presentation Skills.
Why Study Journalism?
Journalism and mass communications transmit and interpret culture and bind society together, making them among the most vital forces in the maintenance of any society and fundamental to democratic government and a free society. The mission of the Journalism Area is to foster in its students the skills, values, and practices associated with professional journalism; to further their understanding of how those attributes intersect with local, national and global citizenship; to demand critical thinking; to challenge them to be the creators of and leaders in a constantly changing media environment, and to fully engage with diverse audiences.
CMU Journalism graduates find jobs in news reporting, magazine and feature writing, web editing, and photojournalism. Journalism education also benefits students going into law, politics, consulting, health education, business, and environmental and sports studies and many other fields that require information gathering, precision writing and visual communication skills.
Journalism at CMU
CMU’s Journalism program is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, a distinction held by only one other Michigan university. Our program balances classroom theory with service learning and other structured hands-on experiences that help students develop the skills required for entry-level positions in the media, as well as related professions and for entrepreneurial media-related careers.
Students may select a major in journalism or photojournalism. All students enroll in a common set of courses that emphasizes information gathering, processing and writing, visual communication skills and the philosophical framework of the profession, including the role of mass communications in contemporary society, the role of media in racial and global diversity and the legal context in which the industry operates.
We also offer a journalism minor and an interdisciplinary minor, Multimedia Design. See the Index for the page number for these programs.
Students interested in one of these programs are advised to contact a College of the Arts and Media or Journalism Area advisor as early as possible and meet with that advisor each semester before registering for classes. Majors and minors are also expected to be involved each semester in co-curricular activities: CMLife, Grand Central Magazine, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the Central Press Photographers Association.
Employers expect journalism graduates to have had at least one internship, an indicator that an applicant has the attitude and skills necessary to be successful in the workplace. The School of Communication, Journalism, and Media Internship Coordinator will provide input on finding internships that match your career interests and allow you to build a portfolio of your work.
CMU’s Journalistic Integrity Policy
The Journalism Area holds truth, accuracy and fairness as the fundamental principles of journalism education and media professions. Each faculty member in the area is responsible for instilling those values in our students as the credibility of media professionals depends on trustworthiness and integrity. To maintain the high standards this program has long established and the strong reputation it has long enjoyed among the professionals and alumni throughout the state, the country and the world, the department reserves the right to remove a student from its program if the student is found to have violated these standards. Violations may include, but are not limited to, fabricating assignments, plagiarism, misrepresentation to faculty, clients, sources or others during the performance of an assignment or project, or willfully violating the codes of ethics as established by industry standards, such as those promulgated by the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Press Photographers Association.
Why Study Media Arts?
Media surrounds us; on the radio, on television, on the internet, on our smart phones and devices, and other public spaces. Be a part of creating and managing this media by joining one of the most comprehensive media programs in the country. The Media Arts Area offers a flexible major or minor in Media Arts that allows you to explore several areas including audio and video production, broadcast news, sports broadcasting, media leadership and entrepreneurship, film and media studies, media writing, and media performance. Take your media project ideas and create productions for the world to see. A degree in media arts can prepare you for the exciting and creative world of media. From the moment you walk on campus, you can develop skills in one of our five student media activities. Don’t dream of the story you want to tell, make it happen.
Media Arts at CMU
Students seeking to major or minor in Media Arts should meet with a Media Arts faculty advisor to select the best elective courses to meet their career goals. You will learn media skills in the classroom that you can apply in hands-on practical experiences in our co-curricular activities. Create media content with other students like you who want to make an impact through producing and managing audio and video content for radio, television, news, sports, YouTube, TikTok, or podcasts. Develop the skills and put them into practice through experiential learning from your first day on campus. It is expected that each Media Arts major and minor will be involved every semester in one or more of the School’s co-curricular activities. These include WMHW-FM (Mountain 91.5 & 101.1 The Beat), Moore Hall Television (MHTV), News Central, Moore Media Records and CMU Film Society. These activities provide students with practical media experience that cannot be replicated in the classroom.
Why Study Cinema Arts?
Content creation is king. A major in cinema arts provides experience in all areas of film production, from scriptwriting to production to post-production. From the big screen to the small screen, through cinematic and commercial projects, you’ll acquire the essential skills to tell your story. Graduate with a strong portfolio ready to pursue careers in film, video, screenwriting and more.
Cinema Arts at CMU
Acquire an understanding of all aspects of film in Michigan's only BFA program in cinema arts. Shape rough ideas into well-crafted scripts. Learn about the various design and aesthetic principles of film. And craft your own film production with access to high-quality film equipment and software. You'll graduate with critical hands-on experience and a solid digital portfolio to help you pursue careers in film, video, screenwriting and more.
Our passionate and award-winning faculty will mentor you through an exciting curriculum that provides a crucial balance of art and design, technology and theory. Alongside peers just as passionate as you are about watching and making good films, you’ll take courses in design, scriptwriting, audio and video production, film critique and analysis, and have the opportunity to focus in on areas where your curiosity leads. Your film project will come to life applying the skills and knowledge acquired in the classroom and studio spaces. You’ll have the time, resources, and collaboration opportunities to successfully navigate the production process, and complete and display your film project. Students' films have been exhibited at the Central Michigan International Film Festival, Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival and more. Beyond the classroom you’ll have access to internship opportunities with broadcast and television studios, film and media companies, digital web agencies and more. Take advantage of our strong Alumni network reaching all areas of the film and television industry. You can also join CMU's Animation Club, Film Society, and Moore Hall Television, an organization for passionate cinephiles committed to promoting diversity, educational and cultural awareness through film.
The Faculty
Will Anderson, Sean Baker, Jim Bollella, Lori F. Brost, Mario Caballero, Kevin Campbell, Steven Coon, Kevin Corbett, Trevor Diehl, Elina Erzikova, Edward Hinck, Aiden Kosciesza, Jinhee Lee, Eric Limarenko, Carol McGinnis, Joseph Packer, Wendy Papa, Heather Polinsky, Mike Potter, Richard Ren, Amy Sindik, Trey Stohlman, Alice A. Tait, Kirsten Weber, Lesley Withers, James Wojcik, Jiafei Yin, Zulfia Zaher
The Programs
Strategic Communication
Advertising Major
Integrative Public Relations Major
Journalism Major: Public Relations Concentration
Communication
Communication Major
Communication Minor
Sports Communication Minor
Media Arts
Media Arts Major
Media Arts Minor (BA, BAA, BFA, BS degrees)
Media Arts Minor (BS in BA only)
Cinema Arts Major
Cinema Studies Minor
Corporate Video Certificate, Undergraduate Certificate
Drone Regulations, Operations, and Applications, Undergraduate Certificate
Interdisciplinary
Advertising Minor (Interdepartmental)
Multimedia Design Minor (Interdisciplinary)