Communications

View Programs and Courses 

View Communications flowsheets 

Faculty

Associate Professor Peter Oehlkers, Chairperson

Professors: Robert E. Brown, Judi Cook, Ellen Golub, Mark B. Zaitchik

Associate Professors: Christopher J. Fauske, Rebecca Hains, Cindy Vincent

Assistant Professors: Guillermo Avila-Saavedra, Peggy Dillon

Faculty Emeriti

Professor: Eileen Margerum

Programs Offered

Bachelor of Science-Communications

Concentrations in:

Advertising 
Journalism 
Media Production 
Media Studies 
Public Relations 

Minors:

Advertising 
Communication Studies 
Journalism 
Public Relations   
 

The Communications Major

The Bachelor of Science in Communications combines theory and practice, professional standards and hands-on experience to equip students with the background and skills necessary for professional roles in the information age. Intensive courses in writing, editing, research, and digital design prepare students to work in a variety of communications fields. Students learn how to work in print, online and video formats. Many students earn internship credit at public relations agencies, advertising firms, television studios, and newspapers. On-campus opportunities include writing for The Log, the student newspaper; assisting in the Communications computer labs; participating in the student chapter of the Public Relations Society of America; and working with the American Advertising Federation. The capstone Seminar course, COM 503  requires seniors to create a professional portfolio of their work and to consider their options in the professional world or graduate school.

Concentrations in the Major

The Communications major consists of 42 credits and offers five choices to students: Advertising, Journalism, Media Production, Media Studies, and Public Relations. All students in the major take: Introduction to Communications, Writing for Media, Computer Production, Communications Research Methods, Editing, Seminar, and an internship and/or practicum.

Advertising Concentration

Advertising students take courses in advertising principles and copywriting for a variety of media. They also produce print, radio, and video ads in the computer lab and work on real-world advertising projects locally and nationally. Advertising students also choose three electives in the major. The Advertising flow sheet details the core and concentration requirements.

Journalism Concentration

Journalism courses prepare students to write for a wide range of professions in the new and traditional media: newspapers, magazines, television, radio, blogs and other digital media. Students are required to choose four electives within the major, as well as to complete a course writing for the college newspaper, The Log. Students may also elect to do internships at local and Boston-based publications. The Journalism flow sheet details the core and concentration requirements.

Media Production Concentration

The Media Production concentration is designed for Communications majors with an interest in creating video for television, the web, and other digital applications. The concentration combines foundational Communications courses with video production courses and a required Art minor in Interactive Multimedia. Media Production students also choose three electives in the major. The Media Production flow sheet details the core and concentration requirements. Admission to the concentration is limited to a maximum of 10 students per academic year. Information on the application process can be found on the Communications Department’s website.

Media Studies Concentration

Media Studies students apply theory and undertake research to develop their understanding of the relationships between mass media, individuals, and culture. Courses cover the history of media, the social impact of media, the relationships between media and the law, global media and communications, and the theoretical development of media studies. Media Studies students also choose three electives in the major. The Media Studies flow sheet details the core and concentration requirements.

Public Relations Concentration

Public Relations students learn about public relations in an innovative program that combines both traditional and technologically current interactive settings with an enhanced, hands-on, experiential environment in which student teams work directly with real-world clients. Students build relationships, resumes and the experience that prepares them to compete in the 21st century marketplace. Modern PR goes far beyond publicity and persuasion to tackle the greater tasks of engaging consumers, employees, governments and citizens in compelling conversations through an array of traditional print and broadcast media and the explosion of revolutionary social media tools. In addition to required courses, Public Relations students also choose three electives in the major. The Public Relations flow sheet details the core and concentration requirements.

The Communications Minor:

The minor in Communications consists of 18 credits and offers four choices to students: Advertising , Communication Studies , Journalism , and Public Relations .

Salem State University Organizations

The student newspaper, The Log, recruits students to work in the areas of writing, reporting, editing, layout, photography and advertising. The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and the American Advertising Federation (AAF), both affiliated with national organizations, also recruit students to participate in student competitions, sponsor fundraising events, and take advantage of working opportunities within the communication fields. The Sigma Omega chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the honor society for communication affiliated with the National Communication Association, focuses on service projects within and beyond the university campus. Membership to Lambda Pi Eta is by invitation only and is based on academic achievement.