Mass Communications with a Public Relations & Public Affairs Certificate

The Department of Journalism and Mass Communications prepares students for careers in all areas of mass communications. Designated by the university as a “Center of Excellence,” the department strives to provide a liberal arts preparation that incorporates multimedia, digital communication, strategic communication, film, African Americans in the media, entertainment, sports, and history. The department’s curriculum enables students to excel and compete in the media industry.

Objectives

To offer students state-of-the-art equipment and instruction in journalism, broadcast, digital media, social media, public relations and strategic communication, to prepare them for jobs in professional media and many other fields.
To aid students in developing critical thinking and analytical skills, writing skills, and computer software skills in print and digital media.
To orient students to the importance of minority contributions to mass communications and to enhance their global view of the world.
To assist students in developing a broad interdisciplinary liberal arts perspective inclusive of literature, art, film, philosophy, African American studies, languages, music, and history.
To involve students in applied experiences in the program to enhance their employability in a modern workforce.
To prepare students for graduate study in mass communications, social media, strategic communication, journalism, film, and other related areas.

Accreditation

Savannah State University’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communications is one of only three programs in the State of Georgia that is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (www.ACEJMC.org). The department has been accredited since 2007. ACEJMC requires that, irrespective of their particular specialization, all graduates should be aware of certain core values and competencies. The following competencies are specific to departmental course offerings:

PSLO 1 (First Amendment and Freedom of Expression): students will apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press in a global context and for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located.

PSLO 2 (History and Roles of Media): Students will demonstrate an understanding of the multicultural history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications.

PSLO 3 (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion): Students will demonstrate culturally proficient communication that empowers those traditionally disenfranchised in society, especially as grounded in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and ability, domestically and globally, across communication and media contexts.

PSLO 4 (Presentation of Images and Information): Students will present images and information effectively and creatively, using appropriate tools and technologies.

PSLO 5 (Written Communication): Students will write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences, and purposes they serve. ISLO 2 (Written Communication)

PSLO 6 (Ethical Principles): Students will demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity. ISLO 4 (Ethical Reasoning)

PSLO 7 (Critical Thinking in Information Research and Evaluation): Students will apply critical thinking skills in conducting research and evaluating information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work. ISLO 1 (Critical Thinking) / ISLO 3 (Information Literacy)

PSLO 8 (Basic Numerical and Statistical Concepts): Students will effectively and correctly apply basic numerical and statistical concepts. ISLO 5 (Quantitate Literacy)

PSLO 9 (Critical Evaluation of Own and Other’s Work): Students will critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness.

PSLO 10 (Application of Tools and Technology): Students will apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work. ISLO 6 (Integrative Learning)

Academic Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree in Journalism and Mass Communications

Students enrolled in the mass communications degree program will be assigned a mentor in the department and a professional advisor. Students are required to be counseled by an advisor prior to registering for a course. Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all prerequisite courses prior to registering for an upper-level course. Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all major courses and all courses that are appropriate to the major. Generally, the courses appropriate to the major are listed under Area F courses. Senior mass communications majors must take the departmental exit examination, produce a senior project, and submit a senior digital portfolio.