Communication

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Chairperson: Dr. Mary L. Kahl
Department Office: Gillum Hall, room 317
Web site: http://www.indstate.edu/communication

The Department of Communication at Indiana State University offers a program of study that prepares students to be engaged actively in their communities and the world. Communication students learn the power of communication in interpersonal, organizational, mediated, political, cultural, health-related, and journalistic contexts. Indiana State University’s program involves students in research and practice through a course of study that includes common requirements in culture, history, writing, multimedia production, law, and ethics. Students choose to focus their work in culture, health, journalism, media production, or public relations and complete a minor program outside the department. Most students complete an internship that contributes to their development as communication professionals. The Department of Communication supports the liberal arts and sciences mission of the College of Arts and Sciences and Indiana State University through its major and minor programs and by contributing to the Foundational Studies Program, the University Honors Program, and minors in Civic Leadership and Women’s Studies.  

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Degrees Offered

The Department of Communication offers a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science degree. Candidates for either degree must complete the University requirement of a minimum of 120 credits, including Foundational Studies course work, requirements for the major in communication, and a minor offered outside the department. Candidates for a bachelor of arts degree must complete two years, or the equivalent, of a non-native language.

Departmental Opportunities

The department supports student academic and professional development and community engagement through membership in student chapters of national and state-wide organizations, a robust internship and independent project program, facilitation of student participation in client services, and competitions. Students may be highly involved in the department’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America or work with several University-wide co-curricular programs, including WISU, a 24-hour per day student run audio and digital operation; the Indiana Statesman, ISU’s student produced newspaper; and Sycamore Video, a student organization that welcomes those interested in video production. The department assigns each major and minor an academic advisor from among the faculty. Students who work with their academic advisors are more likely to meet their educational goals and achieve academic success. The department further meets student needs for academic advising through the Academic Advising Support Office, which is staffed by a trained peer academic advisor.

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