The communications program prepares students for careers in a variety of media settings — public relations, journalism, graphic design, advertising, media production, and telecommunications.
Hands-on learning and field experiences are embedded in courses such as News Writing and Reporting (COMM 260W), Introduction to Advertising (COMM 320), Public Relations (COMM 360), Media Management (COMM 414), and Public Relations Event Planning (COMM 472). Students can also choose from a variety of Visual Communications courses, including Basic Photography for Communications (COMM 215) and Graphic Design in Communications (COMM 241), as well as numerous courses in video/filmmaking, media theory, and media culture.
Communications students also have the exciting opportunity to take courses directly connected to Penn State Harrisburg's new, fully operational, streaming campus radio station, including Audio Production (COMM 374) and Advanced Audio Production (COMM 436).
The communications program also has their own Internship Coordinator who helps students undertake internships at local, regional, and national media outlets to expand their experiences and hone career choices.
During the first two years, students take introductory courses such as the Nature of the Media (COMM 251) and News Writing and Reporting (COMM 260W). During their third and fourth years, they take upper-level courses as varied as Idea Development and Media Writing (COMM 342W), Media Criticism and Theory (COMM 456), and Media Law and Ethics (COMM 458). Students can also complete an independent study (COMM 496) with a chosen professor during their final year, in which they choose a topic and develop a comprehensive research project with the guidance of a professor in the program.
