B.A. Communication, Advertising & PR Emphasis

If you are looking for a career as an event planner, development director, art director, account executive, speech writer, media planner, lobbyist, copywriter, marketing manager, public relations director, press secretary, graphic designer or marketing coordinator, the advertising & PR emphasis is for you. In addition to a core of communication classes required of all department majors, advertising & PR students study photo & graphic editing, photography, media writing I, and applied advertising and PR.

A Bachelor of Arts degree is intended for students who want a broader education that includes a minor within another field and a foreign language. It requires fewer classes in your major field.

 


The communication job market is very broad. Just a few positions Southwestern communication graduates have held include hospital vice president, graphic artist, television producer, newspaper editor, radio station manager, photographer, public relations director, television news reporter, and author. Our graduates who have gone on to graduate school have done so very successfully, entering careers in law, business, and pastoral ministry.

Job Outlook
The job outlook in the broad communication field is very bright. More companies are hiring, and students aren’t just finding good opportunities, some are weighing multiple offers. Internships often turn into full-time positions.

Earnings
Although this will vary widely by region and position, the most notable salary improvement in recent years is for grads with degrees in business or communication. Both groups are seeing a 2.2 percent annual salary uptick thus far. According to aol.com online, this salary improvement is ahead of computer sciences, education, engineering, health sciences, humanities/social sciences, and math & sciences. 

Educational Qualifications
Most entry-level positions in the many fields of communication may be obtained with an undergraduate degree. However, a graduate degree in communication will often provide career advantages.


To view general education requirements for this major, please visit the catalog.

 

Careers

Communication is a broad field with many new jobs being created every year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists more career opportunities for communication graduates than any other field. In addition to the media world, graduates find communication assisting them in careers in government, healthcare, law, business and many other fields.

 

Professions

  • Reporter
  • Editor
  • Writer
  • Public Relations Director
  • Advertising Executive
  • Radio Station Manager
  • Radio Announcer
  • Video Editor
  • Filmmaker
  • TV Producer
  • Development Director

35%
Communication graduates earn 35% more than the national average.

Faculty Profiles

Chris Combest

Communication
Adjunct Faculty
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