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Communication

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Preparing students for the dynamic field of communication

In our impersonal digital age of filtered images and 280 character tweets, effective communicators know how to tap into human emotions.

Whether you choose to pursue a B.A. or B.S. in Communication, you'll learn how to tell stories and make compelling, persuasive cases that engage your audience. Our courses will expose you to the theoretical underpinnings of the discipline, molding you into a conscientious and critical consumer. Utilizing your creativity and in collaboration with your peers, you'll have many opportunities to experiment with emerging technologies and learn to leverage the ever-increasing power of the media.

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Concentrations

The program gives students the opportunity for hands-on experience while they explore and apply the theoretical underpinnings of the discipline.

Advertising and Public Relations

Focuses on the development, creation, and placement of marketing and communication messages and how consumers process messages, as well as on the professional development of relationships with internal and external target audiences, crisis management, brand management and promotion.

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Media Strategies and Production

Focuses on creative problem solving through media design and technology targeting interactive environments, with emphasis on constructing a media theory base with the intent to conceptualize, prototype, develop, and measure the impact of interactive communications media content.

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Interpersonal and Organizational

Focuses on the interpersonal and behavioral elements of communication in a variety of settings and prepares students to communicate effectively across diverse populations and develop the knowledge and skills necessary to be a competent leader.

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Multimedia Journalism

Focuses on writing, reporting and producing stories in a variety of forms and through various communications media, as well as on the professional and ethical decisions journalists face during the storytelling process.

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Top Reasons to choose Communication at florida southern college

Real-World Experience

The Department of Communication prides itself on its hands-on experience opportunities inside and outside the classroom. Inside the classroom, students are integrated into the many different communication fields through their wide breadth of coursework. Outside the classroom, students have access to live-to-tape studio production events, the student newspaper, the campus TV channel, and internships that allow them to experience the deadline-driven advertising and marketing world. Students are required to complete at least one internship by their senior year, and have been placed at multiple local news stations as well-known organizations, such as ESPN, Home Shopping Network, and Atlantic Records.

Guaranteed Internship

Gain firsthand experience through a guaranteed internship, which is guided by our dedicated Career and Internship Coordinator. Students have been placed at multiple local news stations and at well-known employers such as ESPN, US Senate, and The Walt Disney Company.

Networking

Professors' connections to professional experts ensure that students are well established in the field from the get-go. Student organizations also bring professionals to the campus. Through their connections in FPRA (Florida Public Relations Association), professors give students the tools they need to build rapport with experts in the field. Through AdFed our student advertising club, students can tour area local marketing companies. Lux12 is a student-run digital ad agency that provides anyone with the opportunity to build leadership experience.

Expert Faculty

FSC communication faculty have won teaching awards, published in top-ranked academic journals, and produced award-winning creative work. They also bring practical experience from well-known companies into the classroom.

Research Opportunities

Many of our students look forward to graduate school. That’s why the Communication department also places emphasis on research and gives students the opportunity to conduct their own studies. Students have often taken their findings and presented them at prestigious conferences and publications, and have also shared their campaigns with industry professionals.

Prime Location

Florida Southern is located between two major media-market metropolises: Tampa and Orlando. These cities are close enough to campus that students who have internships there can arrive to work and still make it back to class on time.

Employment Outlook

Alumni Occupations

  • Marketing Manager
  • Public Relations Specialists
  • Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
  • Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
  • Graphic Designers
  • News Producers
Department of Communication
$69,226
Estimated Salary of Communication Alumni From This Program
74%
Alumni Working in a Field Related to Communications

I believe FSC is the reason I'm in my dream job. The classes, and even the student organizations, prepared me for real life experiences. What I was doing with my internship is what I’m in charge of now at my work.

— Shannah Bober

Meet our Mocs

Sarah Dube

Sarah Dube

I love all of the opportunities that are available in the Communications department. From FSCTV to The Southern to Luxe 12, there's always a way to get involved that will prepare you for your future. I feel like I've learned just as much participating in these organizations as I have in the classroom.

Dominic Mottola

My favorite part about this semester has been preparing my portfolio for the big job hunt to come. Lux12 has been a good way to stay connected, we get to interact with different on-campus groups and just interacting within the group keeps that feeling of connectivity to the campus

John Christovich

I get the chance to actually do work in the field! I've gotten the chance to learn how to operate and actually participate as a sports commentator on multiple of our sports.

Andrew Pawling

Getting to broadcast over 150 games for our athletic department has allowed me to gain invaluable experience in my field.

AndrewPaul McIntosh

The thing that I cherish most about my time at FSC is the people that I've met: professors, past and present peers, and the myriad of folks that help keep FSC running!

Jessie Praley

The Communication Department’s community feel and closeness makes me feel like it’s our own family. Especially since I am an out of state student, it made me feel right and home. They have encouraged me and pointed me towards what I want to do in life.

Kelsey Elmhorst

I love the professors that I have, they are always more than willing to help inside and outside of the classroom.

Alicia Tracey

My favorite thing about my majors are how hands on and interactive they are. As a double major in Communications and Spanish, I am able to use my interpersonal skills that I have learned in both majors to communicate effectively in my professional internship with the City of Lakeland.

A visit is the next step. Online or In‑Person.

Schedule a campus tour or take our video tour of one of the nation’s most beautiful campuses. Participate in our daily online Admission Info Session or a MocTalk webinar to learn more about Florida Southern.

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Featured Communication Faculty

Dr. Cara Mackie
- Communication Department Chair

In the classroom, I not only teach theories of human communication, but also help students become better communicators. I start my courses by stating, 'It will take hard work to succeed, but I am working just as hard to be there for you. We build these ideas together. You will be great.' Students leave my class with a better understanding of themselves and with confidence to succeed in various forms of interpersonal relationships.

Read More about Dr. Cara MackieMeet Our Faculty

Clubs and More

Lambda Pi Eta, the national communication honor society, promotes leadership in the field of communication through volunteering in the community, and in leadership workshops offered on campus.

Along with active professional organizations such as the Florida Public Relations Association, the American Advertising Federation, and the National Broadcasting Society, you can join our student-run media featuring FSCTV, The Southern News, Interlachen Magazine, Lux 12 Digital Marketing Agency, and FSC Radio.

Learn More about florida southern's clubs and organizations

Program Details

Available in: 

  • BA
  • BS
  • Minor

First-Years

All freshman applicants to Florida Southern Colleges full-time degree programs must submit the following information:

Transfers

Applying to Florida Southern as a transfer student is easy.

If transferring less than 24 credits, we also need your:

  • Official high school transcript
  • SAT and/or ACT scores

Internationals

Related Materials

Communication Program Brochure

Financial Aid Brochure

In the News

There is always something interesting happening at Florida Southern.

Behind the scenes of FSCTV
Students

Coming to You Almost Live from FSCTV

Student-Run FSCTV Produces Content for the Entire Community
Beth Ann Baldry Nichols interviews Dr. Condoleezza Rice
Alumni

FSC Alumna Named as First Female President of Golf Writers Association of America

Senior writer at Golfweek magazine became GWAA president in April 2021.
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Humanities

Social Secretary for Japanese Embassy Visits FSC Virtually

Dr. Katherine Loh, assistant professor of communication, invited guest speaker Kiyomi B...
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Business

The Barnett Business Update - April 2021

Barney Barnett School of Business Newsletter Volume 2, Issue 3, April 12th 2021.

Communication Program Contact

Office of Admissions

Admissions Counselors
863.680.4131

Dr. Cara Mackie

Chair of Communication
863.680.3863

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