Department of Communications

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Mission

Bowie State University’s Department of Communications’ mission is to educate, mentor, and prepare students of diverse cultural backgrounds for successful careers in traditional and new media fields, including broadcast journalism, public relations, print journalism, emerging media, and graduate studies in organizational communications. We enhance students’ analytical and critical thinking skills, leadership abilities, and oral and written communications skills that are mandatory in order to meet the challenges of a global society. The Department extends its mission to the entire student population through its oral communications and public speaking courses as part of Bowie State University’s general education requirements.

The Department of Communications draws upon the rich history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to foster minority contributions in professional communications. Our faculty members have professional experience in communications and are engaged in cutting edge, innovative and scholarly research that enhances their teaching in the classroom.

Bowie State University is strategically positioned in the Washington-Baltimore corridor, which allows the Department to draw upon a rich resource of professional and academic expertise. We engage students by providing opportunities for them to achieve the highest level of excellence in professional communications.

Description of the Department

The Department curricula lead to a BA/BS degree in communications with concentrations in Broadcast Journalism, Emerging Media, Print Journalism, and Public Relations. Majors must earn a grade of “C” or better in all required communications courses, as well as all courses in the student’s chosen minor. Students who wish to earn a BA degree are required to complete 12 semester hours in a foreign language in addition to other requirements. To earn a degree in communications, the student must successfully complete a minimum of 120 semester hours.

Undergraduate programs within the Department prepare students for entry into the communications professions and for subsequent graduate or advanced study. After completing ENGL 101 and ENGL 102, Composition and Literature I and II, students must take and successfully pass the Bowie State University English Proficiency Examination. Transfer students who completed their English composition requirements at another university must take the English Proficiency Examination during their first semester of enrollment at the University.

Goals

1. To provide education in the various fields of communications that will produce graduates capable of assuming leadership roles in their respective fields of study
2. To produce well-informed individuals who are able to cope with rapid social and technological changes within our society and to access information, evaluate it critically, and codify it into effective messages for various audiences
3. To provide continuing education for professional development and personal enrichment of practicing professionals
4. To provide an education that will prepare students to seek additional graduate learning or certification in professional communications

For additional information about the Department of Communication click on the following link: http://www.bowiestate.edu/academics-research/departments/communications/.

Programs

• Communications - Broadcast Journalism Concentration, BA/BS
• Communications - Emerging Media Concentration, BA/BS
• Communications - Print Journalism Concentration, BA/BS
• Communications - Strategic Public Relations, BA/BS

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