Develop and apply practical communication skills with a degree in journalism, media, speech communication, public relations, or theater.
Department of Communication Arts
"The instructor saw something special in my speaking abilities and took the time to advise me, which helped me feel very guided. The support in the Communication Arts Department is incredible, and you have a personal connection with every professor. It’s like a home – you’re a person, not a number."
Taryn Winter, '17
B.S. Organizational Leadership and Public Relations
Hometown: Elk River, Minn.
Communication Arts Programs
Choose from our communication arts programs, or enhance your education by adding on a second major or minor. Explore your options here.
“Our programs engage and prepare students for their chosen careers in electronic media, theater, journalism, public relations, and communication studies. These dynamic programs of study offer students the opportunity to develop and deliver broad communication skills through analysis and application of their specific programs. These include specific study of their discipline’s theories in the performing arts, technology, and media, practical application of these theories, and ethical tenets that are the cornerstone of the study of communication. Each year our communication arts graduates move into wide areas in American society for both employment opportunities and for professional development and service. Communication arts students fit well into business and industry, as well as most sectors of private and public organizations. Many have gone on to receive both master’s and doctorate degrees in a wide variety of professions, which include business, law, ministry, medicine, education, communication studies, theater, and mass communication.”
Deborah Whitt, Ph.D.
Department Chair
Professor of Communication Arts
Outside the Classroom
At Wayne State College, you’ll have opportunities to enhance your education by participating in clubs, organizations, mass media outlets, and more.
Clubs and Organizations
Media Outlets and Events
- Wildcat Spirit Short Film Festival – A special opportunity to showcase your filmmaking skills, meet other filmmakers in the region, and compete for prizes.
- The Wayne Stater - Practice your skills in reporting, writing, editing, and photography for The Wayne Stater. You’ll have the opportunity to compete for awards for your work in college journalism.
- KWSC-TV - Provide sports, news, and entertainment for the masses through our student-run educational cable access channel.
- KWSC-FM - Get some on-air training through our student-run campus radio station. Our fully-equipped broadcast station runs 24 hours a day during the school year.
- The Paw (WSC yearbook)
Opportunities
- Workshops - Communications and theater arts workshops will give you abundant firsthand experience for you to hone your skills in preparation for a career in this field of study.
- Trips, conferences, and more – Attend communication conferences and presentations, and participate in leadership opportunities. You’ll get the chance to attend the National Student Electronic Media Convention and Nebraska Collegiate Media Association meetings. The WSC Media Club and students from KWSC-FM and KWSC-TV travel to Omaha, Neb., Lincoln, Neb., Norfolk, Neb., Sioux City, Iowa, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Kan., and Denver – all markets for station and media business tours.
- Theater productions – From acting to designing to constructing sets, you’ll get hands-on experience through WSC mainstage productions.
Internships/Clinicals
WSC can provide you with a variety of publication outlets, writing opportunities, theater productions, and other events to build your portfolio and gain practical experience in this field of study. If you’re a speech or theater education major, you’ll need to complete clinical practice (student teaching). Career Services is also available to help you find internship opportunities.
