Mission Statement
The Professional Communications Program is dedicated to teaching relevant and marketable 21st century communication skills. In this interdisciplinary major, faculty mentors from the Communication, Art, and English programs work closely with students as they build valuable skills in creative, social, workplace, and global communications; collaborate successfully in design teams; and create communication plans in partnership with local businesses and agencies. At graduation with either a 2 or 4-year degree, Professional Communications majors will have professional communications portfolios including:
- website content writing and site design;
- social media content creation;
- print and electronic publication;
- document design and production;
- business and technical writing;
- visual rhetoric and multimedia composition;
- digital photography;
- group, organizational, and strategic communication; and,
- other written, oral, visual, and 21st-century digital communication skills within a workplace context.
Facilities
Robert S. Wood Hall opened in September, 1989 and contains an auditorium, several general classrooms, seminar rooms, two smart classrooms and the Instructional Design and Media Center, which assists faculty with online learning and additional technology. The offices of senior and part-time faculty are on the second floor.
The Rio Grande John W. Berry Fine and Performing Arts Center opened in 1981. A signature glass atrium introduces visitors to the Center and serves as an entry to the 500-seat state-of-the-art Alphus R. Christensen Theatre. The theatre hosts numerous university and community productions and serves as a cultural hub to residents in a five-county area of Southern Ohio and West Virginia. Within the Center, the Art Department houses a Mac computer lab with Adobe software for web and print production, a large-scale color printer, a fully equipped darkroom and multi- purpose classrooms.
The Esther Allen Greer Museum houses a 3,000 square foot exhibition space, museum prep room for framing and preparing artwork for display, multi-purpose classrooms and the University Archives. Among the museum’s holdings are numerous prints, drawings, paintings and sculpture comprising the Brooks Jones Endowment Collection.
The Art Annex was constructed in 1997. This 10,000 square foot building houses equipment and dedicated space for woodworking, metalworking, stone carving, printmaking, drawing, painting, hand building and wheel throwing ceramics, as well as a number of kilns and a foundry.
Degree Requirements
The Professional Communications degree follows the Rio model of two-year associate degree + two-year stackable bachelor’s degree. Students take classes in Communication, Art, and English to gain the perspective, knowledge, and skills necessary to communicate professionally, creatively, and effectively in the 21st century workplace. In the 4-year bachelor program, students are offered internship opportunities with local businesses and agencies and choose from a variety of course electives that will enhance their individual interests, their future goals, and their Professional Communications portfolios.
Associate of Art – Professional Communications (0922)
General Education must include:
Description | Credits |
---|---|
COM 11103 (TM) Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
Total General Education hours | 39 |
Major Area required courses:
Description | Credits |
---|---|
Communication (9 hours): | |
COM 20103 Intercultural Communication | 3 |
COM 22103 Principles of Discussion | 3 |
COM 22303 Interviewing | 3 |
Art (7 hours): | |
ART 20404 Vector Graphics and Design | 4 |
ART 10403 Two-Dimensional Design | 3 |
English (9 hours): | |
ENG 21403 Business and Technical Writing | 3 |
ENG 28103 Professional Writing | 3 |
ENG 28803: Special topics in literature, writing or grammar | 3 |
Total Major Area Hours | 25 |
Total hours needed to graduate | 64 |
Bachelor of Science – Professional Communications (0951)
General Education must include:
Description | Credits |
---|---|
COM 11103 (TM) Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
Total General Education hours | 39 |
Major Area required courses
Bachelor of Arts or Science – Minor in Professional Communications (0935)
Description | Credits |
---|---|
COM 20103 Intercultural Communication | 3 |
COM 22303 Interviewing | 3 |
COM 40103 Social Media Strategies | 3 |
ENG 21403 Business and Technical Writing | 3 |
ENG 28103/38103 Professional Writing | 3 |
ART 20404 Vector Graphics and Design | 4 |
Total Minor Area required hours | 19 |