General Program Information

Good communication skills have become crucial in the information age we live in. In a world market that does business with diverse cultures and personalities, a good understanding of effective communications skills - written and oral - are in high demand. It is with this in mind that Bethany is proud to introduce its new Communications major.

The Communications major offers a cross-disciplinary selection of courses for students interested in effective communication and places a strong emphasis on practical experience. Our goals are:

1. To enhance Communication's skills that students can use in ministry, business, education, government, media, and professional careers.
2. To teach students how to work and communicate successfully and ethically in a diverse society.
3. To provide students with a strong background in media communication and practical application of media skills.
4. To further Bethany's mission of providing training in areas of ministry development, character development, intercultural awareness, and professional excellence.

The core requirements of the major center on gaining a broad understanding and practice of communication skills, including: communication theory, digital/computer technology, writing for the media, history of the media, communication ethics, research methods, and communication ethics.

These core courses are supplemented by an emphasis area of your choice. The four emphasis areas currently offered are: speech, interpersonal/ organizational communication, intercultural studies, and drama.

Internships and Extracurricular Activities

Bethany's Communication department believes that in order to utilize the skills learned in a classroom, it is necessary to be placed in hands-on situations where those skills can be tested. As such, Bethany's Communication faculty members work with students to place them in competitive internships in the local business and professional marketplace.

The student's placement at an internship is dependent upon the student's studies and interests and can vary from interning with a television production company to interning for an HR department at a local business.

Bethany also provides extracurricular activities for Communication majors. These include yearbook staff, newspaper staff, and student-run drama productions.

In addition, Bethany's Communication department is proud to offer a nationally competing speech and debate team at Bethany. The debate team will compete against colleges and universities from all over the nation and will provide valuable skills to students from across curriculums.

The combination of classroom learning and practical experience the Communication program offers, nicely positions Bethany's Communication graduates for the job market.

Marketability of the Communication Degree

A degree in Communication is highly marketable. Below is a sampling of the kinds of jobs available for a Communication graduate:

Acting
Advertising account executive	High School speech teacher	Political analyst
Advertising executive	Hotel manager	Political campaign director
Anchorperson	Human resources manager	Politician
Arts administrator	Human rights officer	Public affairs director
Business manager	Journalist	Public information officer
Child language specialist	Labor relations consultant	Public opinion researcher
College recruiter	Language arts teacher	Public relations officer
Communication consultant	Lawyer	Public speaker
Communication researcher	Legal communication consultant	Publications editor
Communication statistician	Legislative assistant	Publicist
Community affairs liaison	Legislative correspondent	Radio talk-show host
Community relations director	Lighting technician	Recreational supervisor
Customer service	Linguist	Reporter
Representative	Market researcher	Script writer
Developmental officer	Marketing communication manager	Sound technician
Diplomatic host/hostess	Marketing specialist	Speech writer
Director of corporate	Media account executive	Sports publicist
Communication	Media buyer	Sports announcer
Employment interviewer	Media critic	Student activities director
Entertainer	Mediation specialist	Telecom specialist
Entrepreneur	Medical communication trainer	Telemarketing manager
Film director	Mental health professional	Theatre manager
Forensics/debate director	Minister	Tour guide
Fund Raiser	Nonprofit organization director	Training specialist
Government lobbyist

So what do other students have to say about the program?

Don't take our word for it! Listen to what a sampling of Communication majors had to say about the program:

"The reason that I chose to study communication is because of the multiple opportunities that await me upon graduation. As someone who thrives on writing funny scripts and speaking in public, a Communication degree is perfect! The instructors in the department are great, and I would recommend the major to anyone." - Jake McKinley

"The classes are fun, interactive, and allow you to be creative."- Delia Gonzales

"I wanted to have a degree in theatre, and the Communication's major seemed like a strange way to go about it. But, in the classes I've taken as a Communication major, I've learned a great deal. I wish I could have had them before I did theatre in a secular world. So much of the information would have been helpful in past circumstances, and I know it will be helpful in the future." - Becky Bagley

Contact Information

If you would like to find out more about the Communications department or would like to sit in on classes, please email program director James H. Stewart at jhstewart@fc.bethany.edu.