Communications
Start Your Story at USM
With a 花椒直播 communications degree, you鈥檒l be prepared to enter an exciting career that fits your evolving interests. A future in sports journalism, broadcasting, photojournalism, strategic communications, or social media is within reach.
As a student, you鈥檒l develop professional connections with dedicated faculty while gaining resume-worthy experiences. And the best part 鈥� you don鈥檛 have to wait until you鈥檙e an upperclassman to get involved with student media! At USM, you can jump in your first semester.
Choose Your Track
Major Emphasis Areas
- Sports Communications
- Broadcasting/Journalism Communications
Communications Minor
Pairing a communications minor with a major in business, marketing, art, or English can help you tailor your education to meet your professional goals.
What Can You Do with a Communications Degree?
Communications students are well prepared for their chosen fields upon graduation. Recent graduates have accepted positions as a KC Royals videographer, sports reporter, radio promotions and on-air talent in Nashville, marketing assistant, and sports social media coordinator. Students have also been accepted into top-tier master鈥檚 programs in journalism, digital marketing, and videography.
Most careers in the communications field start with an average salary of $38,000 in the Midwest 鈥� but the sky is the limit. Many communications graduates move on to earn comfortable salaries upwards of $80,000 with experience.
Communication internships are available in the area from a variety of Kansas City-based companies, including:
- Andrews-McMeel Universal Press Syndicate
- The Power and Light District
- The Kansas City Star
- The Leavenworth Times
Alumni Spotlight
Meet Mel Roberts, Content Producer for the Kansas City Royals
鈥淭he small environment at USM allows for hands-on interaction with professors, and you are not just another student in a classroom. The relationships between professors and students are so personal and inviting for you to pursue greatness and find yourself.鈥�Journalism Communications Club
Through the Journalism Communication Club (JCOM), students gain valuable experience by producing stories, photos, podcasts, and videos for , , and .
JCOM students also create original materials for departments on campus. The club hosts a National News Day event each year, observes USM Founder鈥檚 Day and Earth Day, throws an MLB Opening Day celebration, and hosts the annual Christian Yanos Excellence in Photojournalism competition.
Academic Plan
Freshman Year
Fall Semester (15 Credits)
| Credit Hours | Course Number | Course Name |
| 3 | General Education Course | |
| 3 | TH 112 | Intro Spiritual |
| 3 | 花椒直播 Experience | |
| 3 | English Composition I | |
| 3 | AR 113 | Basic Design |
Spring Semester (15 Credits)
| Credit Hours | Course Number | Course Name |
| 3 | AR 180 | Multimedia |
| 3 | COM 120 | Public Speaking |
| 3 | 花椒直播 Experience II | |
| 3 | English Composition II | |
| 3 | General Education Course |
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester (15 Credits)
| Credit Hours | Course Number | Course Name |
| 3 | COM 305 | Media Literacy |
| 3 | MKT 231 | Principles of Marketing |
| 3 | COM 328 | Survey of the Mass Media IS |
| 3 | General Education Course | |
| 3 | General Education Course |
Spring Semester (15 Credits)
| Credit Hours | Course Number | Course Name |
| 3 | AR 275 | Digital Photography |
| 3 | COM 310 | Applied Electronic Journalism I |
| 3 | COM 330 | Writing for the Media |
| 3 | COM 200 | Introduction to Journalism |
| 3 | General Education Course |
Junior Year
Fall Semester (15 Credits)
| Credit Hours | Course Number | Course Name |
| 3 | COM Special Topic | |
| 3 | MKT 350 | Principles of Advertising |
| 3 | General Education Course | |
| 3 | General Education Course | |
| 3 | EN 370 | Sports Literature |
Spring Semester (15 Credits)
| Credit Hours | Course Number | Course Name |
| 3 | COM 370 | Diversity in the Media |
| 3 | COM 410 | Applied Electronic Journalism II |
| 3 | COM 375 | Professional Social Media Communications |
| 3 | COM 250 | Intro to Sports Broadcasting |
| 3 | General Education Course |
Senior Year
Fall Semester (15 Credits)
| Credit Hours | Course Number | Course Name |
| 3 | COM 451 | Ethics and Law in a Digital World |
| 3 | COM 510 | Research |
| 3 | COM 460 | Media Message Production |
| 3 | Elective | |
| 3 | Elective |
Spring Semester (15 Credits)
| Credit Hours | Course Number | Course Name |
| 3 | COM 591 | Internship |
| 3 | COM Special Topic | |
| 3 | COM 599 | Writing for your Professional Life (Capstone) |
| 3 | Elective | |
| 3 | Elective |
Meet the Faculty
Laveda Peterlin, Ph.D.
Communications Program Director, Associate Professor of Communications
Laveda.Peterlin@stmary.edu
913-758-6277
花椒直播 Hall 406
Read Bio
Lorie Paldino, MA, MAT
Assistant Professor of English and Communications
Loretta.Paldino@stmary.edu
913-758-4345
花椒直播 Hall 316
Read Bio
Have Questions? Contact Us.
花椒直播
admiss@stmary.edu
913-682-5151
See the staff/faculty directory
Have Questions? Contact Us.
花椒直播
admiss@stmary.edu
913-682-5151
See the staff/faculty directory