Sharpen your communication skills.
Discover a communications and media arts major that prepares you to express your distinct voice as a communications professional—especially in our ever-evolving digital society.
Courses cover everything from mass communication, public speaking, and public relations, to digital production, social media, and integrated marketing campaigns. Faculty mentors—who are actively engaged in today’s best-practices—bring over five decades of combined experience in advertising, radio, television, public relations, journalism, podcasting, and more.
Outside of the classroom, you’ll be able to gain real-world experience with Bethany’s online newspaper, The Tower; and Bethany Broadcasting Network (BBN) Online, which includes a student-run radio station and television station. Gain additional experience through professional internships, Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), National Broadcasting Society (NBS), Writers Club, Student Government Association, and more.
Areas of Study
- Communications & Media Arts (Major, Minor)
- Concentrations in:
- Integrated Media & Marketing
- Digital Media & Production
- Sports Communications
Why Bethany
Gain on-campus practical experience through our student-run media outlets
Average size of a Communications class is 14
100% employment placement within three months of graduating*
*class of 2016
Dave Sims, Communications and Media Arts, Class of 1975
Bethany allows you to start at the campus television station as a freshman. Every other school I looked at made you wait until you were a junior to be able to participate in the campus production. I just knew I wanted to be in television, and I was able to hold almost every position at the campus TV station. It definitely prepared me and helped me to get into the field.
Ashley Dougherty, Communications Major, Class of 2005
Meteorologist, WTAE Action News, Pittsburgh
Careers in Communications & Media Arts
- Advertising
- Attorney
- Broadcasting
- Corporate communications
- Event coordination
- Human resources
- Lobbying
- Marketing
- Media sales
- Ministry work
- Non-profit management
- Office management
- Public relations
- Teaching
- College communications
- Writing/editing
Alumni Outcomes
Dave Sims
Communications & Media Arts | 1975
Sports Broadcaster, Seattle Mariners
Seattle, WA
Alumni Outcomes
Sue Booth
Communications & Media Arts | 1982
Executive Communications Lead, Raytheon Missiles & Defense
Chelmsford, MA
Alumni Outcomes
Bill Burr
Communications & Media Arts | 1991
News Anchor, WCSC-TV
Charleston, SC
Meet the Faculty
Patrick Sutherland
Professor and Chair of Communications and Media Arts, Advisor to WVBC Online Radio
Ph.D., College of Communication,
Ohio University
M.A., College of Journalism and Communications,
University of Florida
B.A., Department of Communication,
Marquette University
304-829-7716
psutherland@bethanywv.edu
Olga Blackledge
Assistant Professor of Communications and Media Arts
Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
M.A., European Humanities University
oblackledge@bethanywv.edu
David M. Deiuliis
Assistant Professor of Communications and Media Arts, Advisor to BBN Webstreaming
ddeiuliis@bethanywv.edu
Communications Courses
Engage in courses that delve into the ever-evolving world of communication. At Bethany, you will benefit from a curriculum that distinctively prepares you for a lifelong career.
YOUR COURSES MAY INCLUDE:
- COMM 101 Introduction to Communication
Examines the foundations of communication, including communication between individuals, language, and non-verbal codes as well as mass media, like newspapers, radio, television, and digital media. - COMM 200 Digital Media and Digital Culture
Provides the history, structures, processes, and practices of digital media as well as examines the effects of technology on American and global culture. - COMM 205 Principles of Advertising and Public Relations
Covers the history and principles of advertising and public relations and discusses the different fields of marketing, including industry and nonprofit work. - COMM 250 Multimedia Sports Production
Introduces techniques of production of various sporting events for radio, television, podcasting, and other converged media platforms. Students’ work is broadcast, cablecast, or streamed for the Bethany community and beyond. - COMM 412 Integrated Marketing Communications Campaigns
Uses the integrated marketing communications approach of utilizing appropriate advertising, marketing, personal selling, and public relations principles and practices to develop a strategic communication campaign for a client.
Communications Internship Opportunities
An internship within the field of communications will build skills in speaking, writing, media relations, problem solving, and more. It’s also a great way to explore the different career paths available to you as a communications major!
Curious what internship opportunities are out there for students majoring in the communications field? Check out some examples.
- Broadcast Intern
- Content Marketing Intern
- Copywriting Intern
- Editorial Intern
- Fundraising Intern
- Marketing Intern
- Public Relations Intern
- Sales Communication Intern
- Social Media Intern
- Sports Agency Intern