Prepared for vocation
Jena O’Brien came to Bluffton for the academic support and community feel of campus. The 2019 public relations graduate says opportunities provided by the university have equipped her for both the job market and life in the world. Jena is the marketing manager at Goshen College, Goshen, Ind.
Communication and theatre
At Bluffton, you will gain a broad range of analytical and practical knowledge in the communication and theatre arts in order to engage a changing world from a perspective of Christian faith and commitment.
Our communication professors blend theory and practice into the curriculum. Communication students at Bluffton will not only learn how to craft messages and design campaigns but will also learn how and why certain messaging and techniques in communication are effective.
Competitive paid positions, internships and extracurricular activities such as the The Witmarsum student-driven media, FM radio station, theatre performance and an oratorical contest provide opportunities for you to put classroom learning into practice.
We’ll help you develop the communication and media skills employers look for in candidates. The small number of hours required for a communication major allows our students to easily double major and graduate on time. Our minors can be paired with any other major on campus, increasing your appeal to potential employers.
| Majors | Minors |
|---|---|
Communication major/minor
Whether heading to graduate school, service work or into the job market, our communication major prepares you to work in teams, problem-solve, analyze text and data, and serve diverse audiences by speaking the truth in love.
“The lesson I learned in class and the experience I had on campus put me in a position to get a job in radio. If not for Bluffton, I would not be where I am at in life.”
Ty Avila is executive producer and co-host for 93.1 The Fan Lima’s Sports Radio in Lima, Ohio.
EXPLORE COURSES REQUIRED FOR A:
Communication major
Communication minor
Complete the communication major in four years by following guildlines for students beginning fall 2019 and after.
Your communication major or minor may easily be combined with a major from another department, helping you achieve your specific goals. For instance, students interested in visual communication may complete a minor in art while students majoring in business administration may want to add a communication minor. The small number of hours required to complete a communications major allows our students to easily double major and graduate on time.
Through rigorous classes, departmental activities and other hands-on learning opportunities, you will be prepared for a wide variety of careers in public affairs, media relations, church promotion, higher education, communication research, political communication, public speaking, organizational leadership and more.
Convergent media
In Bluffton’s cutting-edge convergent media major, you will learn to produce and manage content across multiple platforms, including print, radio, the Internet, television, social media and more.
Students are utilizing the knowledge their professors have to develop a clearer path for their futures.
Unlike a major in journalism, broadcasting or public relations, a major in convergent media prepares students for the constant change in media platforms.
“When I got here, I didn’t even know what convergent media was. I learned so much
so fast.”
>>>Trent’s story
Minors
>>> course requirements
>>> course requirements
Develop skills in writing, visual communication, digital and interactive technologies
essential for careers in digital, print and convergent journalism.
>>> course requirements
The media production minor provides instruction to create, edit and produce journalistic
and communication content through social media and digital platforms.
>>> course requirements
Learn the history, theory, and ethical and social impacts of television, film, social
media and other digital and interactive media.
>>> course requirements
Courses in journalism, graphic design, marketing, analytics and crisis communication
offer a preparation for a career as a communication liaison and strategist in nonprofit
and corporate settings.
>>> course requirements
Theatre study at Bluffton provides training and experience in many performance areas
such as acting, directing, set construction, makeup design and execution, costuming,
lighting and sound design and stage management. Participation in Bluffton theatre productions gives you a chance to experience all facets of theatrical production.
>>> course requirements
Find your greater purpose
Bluffton University Student-Driven media
Students gain hands-on experience producing convergent media through The Witmarsum and 96.1 The Wit FM.