Communications
In today's world, no development has had more impact on the way humans communicate than social media. The rise of the Internet has given society a platform from which to brag, boast and toast. The advent of blog sites has literally changed the way news is reported, disseminated and digested. Salve Regina University's bachelor's degree in communications aims to equip students with the wide array of tools needed to successfully communicate in the digital age.
Gain Hands-On, Practical Experience
There are many different manners in which to communicate in the 21st century – video, words, podcast – and having knowledge in every field gives students the tools to succeed. Salve Regina's coursework covers topics such as social media, creative writing, broadcasting, film studies, journalism, advertising, public relations and digital media. The program also emphasizes all aspects of writing: feature, news, press releases and blurbs, as well as editing and publishing, because words are still the basic building block for communication.
Our students gain insight to journalism, marketing and public relations. They get hands-on, practical work in film, television, media writing and multimedia storytelling. They learn how to use a camera, edit video and photographs and learn useful programs such as Photoshop and blogging software. Students complete an internship in their senior year and are also encouraged to join campus publications such as Mosaic, Salve Regina's independent student newspaper, and Willow, the student-produced literary journal.
Through Salve Regina's popular accelerated program, qualified undergraduates can begin our master's degree in creative writing during their senior (fourth) year.
Program Spotlight: Diving Into a Passion
During her time at Salve Regina, Sara Birse '20 was heavily involved with the student-run Seahawk Radio, allowing her to dive into a passion she didn't initially know she had. "It was like a playground for me to discover all the different aspects of radio and how to program a channel," she said. "I realized that I loved it."
Birse is now a music programming coordinator for SiriusXM in Nashville, Tennessee. She attributes her dream career to the experiences she had at Salve Regina, adding that the communications program taught her the importance of research and how to think critically and analytically, which are tools needed in her line of work. "They really value those skills at SiriusXM when it comes to researching new music and new artists," Birse said. "It's hard to acquire those skills, but Salve Regina really prepares you for that."
Our Faculty
Salve Regina's full-time faculty members specialize in different areas of media and communications studies and are supported by occasional adjuncts from the professional world. Our students enjoy close and personal relationships with our highly qualified and dedicated faculty.
Life After Salve
Salve Regina students develop skills in media writing and reporting as well as editing and research, making them will equipped for a variety of roles in journalism, publishing, marketing and public relations. Coursework provides a strong foundation for careers in newspapers and magazines, public relations, new media, book publishing and related fields.
A communications major also gives students the critical and analytical skills needed for graduate study and for a variety of rewarding careers in fields such as law, education, business, government, nonprofits and international aid organizations.
A look at where our alumni are now:
- Associate director of communications and media relations, Barnard College
- Associate producer/writer, Twin Cities PBS
- Chief communications and marketing officer, Black Economic Council of Massachusetts
- Content associate, ESPN
- Director of marketing, Warner Wealth
- Global head of social media and influencer strategy, Nasdaq
- Marketing coordinator, Newport Life magazine
- Marketing and social media manager, A.T.Y. Hospitality
- Music programming coordinator, SiriusXM
- Senior manager of global content strategy, LEGO Education
- Senior program manager, Disney+
Major in Communications (B.A.)
13 courses | 39 credits
Required courses:
- COM195: Media and Culture
- COM271: Introduction to Media Writing
- COM273: Multimedia Storytelling
- COM357: Editing and Publishing
- COM358: Global Media
- COM371: Feature Writing
- COM489: Critical Writing and Research
- COM490: Senior Seminar Capstone
- COM491: Internship
Students also choose four courses from a list of electives in studio art, communications, creative writing, literature and film.
Minor in Communications
6 courses | 18 credits
Required courses:
- COM195: Media and Culture
- COM271: Introduction to Media Writing
- COM273: Multimedia Storytelling
Students take three additional electives in communications or writing, chosen in consultation with their advisor.