At which campus can I study this program?
Program Description
The Communications minor provides students with an introduction to the tool skills needed to function as a professional communicator, as well as a basic understanding of communication processes and theory. Students seeking careers in fields such as public administration, business, criminal justice, law, information technology, and the medical, social and behavioral professions will find this minor provides instruction in a valuable additional knowledge and skill area important in today's information society.
What is Communications?
Communications is an academic discipline that deals with the creation and distribution of mass communication messages through media such as books, newspapers, television, radio, film, video games, and the Internet. Mass communications use writing, speech, photographs, video, and interactive content to give information or influence the audience. Communications also concerns the study of how we communicate in different ways with diverse audiences through marketing, advertising, public relations, corporate communications, digital journalism, film and other media.
Entrance to Minor
Students must apply for entrance to the minor after achieving fifth semester classification.
Program Requirements
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Requirements for the Minor | 18 |
Requirements for the Minor
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| COMM 251 | The Nature of Media | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| COMM 230W | Writing for Media | 3 |
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 12 credits (at least 6 credits at the 400-level) from approved department list | 12 | |
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
Harrisburg
Amy Sauertieg, M.A.
Program Coordinator
Olmsted Building, W005
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-4351
ajs43@psu.edu
Contact
Harrisburg
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES
Olmsted Building, W356
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6189
mpf5451@psu.edu