Communication | Saint Xavier University

The Communication program offers a rewarding curriculum that focuses on the process and effects of communication, the Internet and personal media, in both mediated and face-to-face contexts. The program develops effective communicators who not only are skilled in using communication technologies, but also understand that socially responsible communication is an interaction among people that requires both skill and sensitivity. Building on a foundation in the liberal arts that provides a broad-based general education, the study of communication teaches students how to express their ideas and values in spoken, written and visual messages. Students also learn how to evaluate the effectiveness of messages produced by others. Students majoring in communication can select from three tracks: strategic communication, media communication or sports communication.

Communication Major

The major consists of 36 total credit hours.

Core Requirements (15 Credit Hours)

COMM 200: Perspectives on Human Communication
COMM 205: Mediated Message Production
COMM 211: Introduction to Mass Communication
COMM 324: Senior Seminar I: Communication Research
COMM 369: Senior Seminar II: Research Applications

Students select one of three tracks (21 hours) to complete the major.

Strategic Communication -- this track is targeted to students who seek to enter into corporate communication positions or non-profit communication positions
Media Communication -- this track is targeted to students interested in pursuing careers in the consistently changing world of modern mass media
Sports Communication -- this track is targeted to students interested in pursuing careers in sports management and sports promotion

*All courses for the Communication major are three credit hours.

*Students must obtain a grade of C or better for any course to be applied to the communication major or minor.

Strategic Communication

Required to complete this track:

COMM 216: Introduction to Health Communication
COMM 244: Introduction to Public Relations
COMM 335: Organizational Communication

Media Communication

Required to complete this track:

COMM 110: Newswriting and Reporting
COMM 220: Digital Audio Production
COMM 221: Digital Video Production

Sports Communication

Required to complete this track:

COMM 206: Communicating with Social Media
COMM 207: Sports Communication
COMM 321: Electronic Journalism

Communication Electives - select any five communication courses or:

Applied Communication Degree Completion

Applied Communication is an online adult degree completion program designed to prepare the student for careers in communication-related and professional fields. Potential career areas include advertising, corporate relations, event planning, health communication, higher education, human resources, journalism, media production, media programming and management, the Internet and personal media, media research, organizational communication, public relations, speech writing, and training and consulting, among other possibilities.

The program develops effective communicators who not only are skilled in using communication technologies, but also understand that socially responsible communication is an interaction among people that requires both skill and sensitivity. The study of communication teaches students how to express their ideas and values in spoken, written and visual messages. Students also learn how to evaluate the effectiveness of messages produced by others.

Transfer Policy

All transfer students must take ACSU 101: Transfer Student Orientation. It is a one-on-one orientation, for no cost and carries zero credit hours. This is a graduation requirement for transfer students.

Transfer Students with fewer than 30 hours

All requirements of the general education curriculum, including the First-Year Seminar.

Transfer students with more than 30 hours

Students who have completed the Illinois Articulation Initiative General Education Core Curriculum (IAI/GECC) requirements (37-41 hours) must take the following additional mission-based courses at SXU in order to fulfill their general education requirements:

Philosophy 150: The Examined Life
One religious studies course

Students have the opportunity to qualify for SXU's IAI/GECC Articulation Agreement as long as the majority of the general education core has been met prior to transferring. Any remaining general education courses may be taken from Saint Xavier University.

To receive a B.A. in Applied Communication a student must complete 120 hours of study that include the following:

The University General Education Requirements
Major requirements (30 Credit Hours)
- COMM 200: Perspectives on Human Communication
- COMM 205: Mediate Message Production
- COMM 211: Introduction to Mass Communication
- COMM 333: Communication Problems (A Capstone Course
- Major electives - select six communication courses in consultation with an advisor.
Electives to complete 120 credit hours

Communication Minor

Communication minors must complete COMM 200 OR 211, and five communication electives, chosen in consultation with an advisor.

*All courses for the communication minor are three credit hours.

*Students must obtain a grade of C or better for any course to be applied to the communication major or minor.