About the College

The Department of Journalism offers opportunities for students to prepare for rewarding careers in a variety of communications fields. The journalism program offers options in advertising, graphic communications photojournalism, and public relations and opportunities to take courses across the emphases and in the Department of Radio-Television.

Curriculum

The journalism curriculum combines a rich background in the liberal arts with realistic professional instruction. Our Professors bring a diversity of professional experience and academic preparation to the classroom. Students learn in contemporary media labs on campus and in internships and practicum experiences off campus. They also have opportunities to learn and to network by participating in professional organizations on campus and in regional and national settings. Graduates find rewarding work in news, public relations or advertising for both traditional and new media organizations. As alumni they assume leadership roles, occupying a variety of management and decision-making positions throughout the communications industry.

Graphic Communications

Graphic Communications graduates work in management, sales and service positions that require an understanding of printing technology and business goals. They take a curriculum that combines technologically sophisticated labs with management courses and practical learning in internships or with ASU's Printing Services. Graduates are in demand, and employers pay salaries that are relatively high compared to what other jobs pay graduates of the university.

Real Life Application

Students in journalism have access to the college's modern facilities and media operations, which include The Herald's print-based and on-line editions and Printing Services and labs for digital photography, electronic pre-press, desktop publishing, reporting and writing, audio and video editing and multi-media and Web design and production.

The Department of Radio-Television offers opportunities to launch exciting careers in electronic media, whether over the air, on cable or via the Web. You'll learn from faculty with significant professional experience, and you'll have access to some of the finest broadcast and multimedia studios and equipment at a university.

The department offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in radio and television broadcasting. Students studying in this area on the undergraduate level work toward the Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Radio-Television. On the graduate level students work toward the Master of Science in Mass Communications Degree with a major in Radio-Television.

Radio-TV Curriculum

The undergraduate program in radio and television is designed to provide the practical and theoretical knowledge for those who would pursue careers in the radio-television industry and related fields (cable, corporate video, etc.). At the same time, the curriculum is designed to provide the necessary studies for those who plan graduate work in radio-television or mass communications. Arkansas State University is a member of the Broadcast Education Association, and the RTV program, as a part of the College of Communications, is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications.

Real-World Application Opportunities

Housed in the Communications/Education complex the facilities include the studios of the University-owned radio station KASU (FM), television studios for ASU-TV, audio and video production facilities, multimedia and Web-production laboratories, computer labs, classrooms and offices. All students majoring in Radio-TV have the opportunity to work in some capacity at KASU and ASU-TV sometime prior to graduation as partial fulfillment of certain course requirements. In addition, advanced students in the Radio-TV Department are eligible to apply for paid positions on the ASU-TV Student Staff and on the KASU Basic Student Staff.

Modern, Professional Faciltiies

Both the radio and TV studios are well equipped with modern professional equipment. Department facilities also include four satellite earth stations for receiving audio and video feeds. The audio programming comes from National Public Radio, Public Radio International and independent public radio producers. A primary source of video programming is CNN Newsource for use in broadcast news classes and in conjunction with the daily cable newscast produced by advanced classes and for ASU-TV's cable television operation.

The Department of Communication Studies offers courses leading to a B.A. degree. Communication Studies focuses on the ways that people make use of both verbal and nonverbal messages to generate meanings within various contexts, cultures, and media. Since 75% of a person's day is spent communicating in some way, the importance of being able to communicate clearly cannot be overemphasized. Communication skills are essential to personal satisfaction and academic success, as well as employment.

Curriculum

Courses provide a strong theoretical foundation in communication as well as an emphasis on improvement in practical communication skills. Majors in Communication Studies have the flexibility to focus on specific areas of interest while obtaining a thorough understanding of communications. Students may also choose to become involved with departmental activities such as the debate team or Lambda Pi Eta, the national honor society for communication students.

The Department of Communication Studies also offers an M.A. as well as a graduate certificate in Health Communication.