This Fall

Incoming students will pay on average $6,600-$9,000 in tuition due to new scholarship opportunities. If you have questions contact your enrollment counselor today!
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BA IN COMMUNICATION

Deerfield, IL

WHY STUDY COMMUNICATION AT TIU?

Communication theories and vocabulary are useless without applied practice in your chosen area of concentration. As a communication major, you will have the opportunity to participate in professional internships that will give you hands-on experience to practice your skills. Leave Trinity prepared to excel in any number of demanding careers!

WHERE YOU STUDY MATTERS

Trinity is located in a peaceful wooded setting, just 25 miles north of downtown Chicago. This prime location offers some of the nation’s best school districts, a variety of ministry organizations, and 12 Fortune 500 companies within 12 miles of campus to apply practically what you are learning in the classroom. In addition, Trinity is close to many coffee shops, restaurants, cultural experiences, and recreational activities when you need a break from the books!

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO EARN MY DEGREE?

Most communication majors finish their degree in 3-4 years. Requirements for this degree total 47 hours. This includes 29 hours of required courses and 18 hours in your chosen concentration. Up to 3 of the hours required in the major may be used to meet general education requirements.

DID YOU KNOW?

During your time here, you will have the chance to work with Trinity’s communication & marketing department on key initiatives for the university.

WHAT WILL I STUDY?

As a communication major, you will study a variety of theories about how humans communicate and what factors can prevent successful communication. You will learn how to develop your own theories about contemporary communication and then put them to the test by designing and conducting surveys, interviews, focus groups, and experiments. Communication majors will also focus on developing their written, oral, and visual communication skills.

PERSONAL. PRACTICAL. BIBLICAL.

At Trinity, you’ll be equipped to think critically and biblically in every area of life as you are challenged to apply your faith to your coursework and classroom conversations. And instead of approaching general education as a checklist of courses to be completed, Trinity’s distinctive educational approach gives you the freedom to choose courses that are most interesting and relevant to you. Working closely with your faculty advisor, you can select from electives to enhance your major, apply toward a minor, create a double major, or simply experience something new. The choices are yours! All along the way, you’ll be cared for and supported, ensuring that you make the most of your college experience.

COURSEWORK:

Requirements for this degree total 47 hours. This includes 29 hours of required courses and 18 hours in your chosen concentration. Up to 3 of the hours required in the major may be used to meet general education requirements. You’ll take interesting courses like:

Interpersonal Communication
Intercultural Communication
Mass Communication

Emphases:

Business Communication
Communication for Ministry
Contemporary Media Studies
Leadership
Relational Communication

SEE REQUIRED COURSES

Communication

CORE
Course	Title	Credits
Overview of Communication
Select three of the following:		9 hours
COM 120	Survey of Communication Theory	3 hours
COM 204	Mass Communication	3 hours
COM 330	Intercultural Communication	3 hours
COM 332	Interpersonal Communication	3 hours
Communication in Practice
COM 112	Speech	3 hours
COM 240X	Writing for the Media I	3 hours
COM 340X	Writing for the Media II	3 hours
COM 241X	Pre-Practicum*	2 hours
COM 445	Internship	3 hours
GPH 105	Foundational Design Software	3 hours
GPH 205	Intermediate Design Software	3 hours
* Two semesters 1 hour each

EMPHASES
Course	Title	Credits
Select one of the following emphases:		18 hrs
Business Communication Emphasis
BUS 334	Advertising	3 hours
COM 140	Introduction to Public Relations	3 hours
COM 210X	Business Communication	3 hours
COM 230	Advanced Public Speaking	3 hours
COM 334	Group and Organizational Communication	3 hours
COM 490	Communication Capstone	3 hours
Total Hours		18 hours
Contemporary Media Emphasis
COM 140	Introduction to Public Relations	3 hours
COM 440X	Topics in Media Studies	3 hours
GPH 110	Graphic Foundations	3 hours
GPH 210	Tangible Design	3 hours
GPH 230 OR GPH 260	Introduction to Photography OR Typography	3 hours
GPH 305	Advanced Design Software	3 hours
Total Hours		18 hrs
Communication for Ministry Emphasis
CM 342	Relational Skills for Ministry	3 hours
COM 230	Advanced Public Speaking	3 hours
COM 334	Group and Organizational Communication	3 hours
COM 338	Gender and Family Communication	3 hours
COM 490	Communication Capstone	3 hours
Choose one of the following:
CM 175	Foundations of Youth Ministry	3 hours
CM 215	Foundations of Children’s Ministry	3 hours
CM 260	Introduction to Intercultural Ministries	3 hours
CM 315	Principles of Family Ministry	3 hours
CM 400	Principles of Adult Ministry	3 hours
Total Hours		18 hrs
Leadership Emphasis
LR 170X OR LR 173 AND LR 174	Leadership Dynamics OR Emerging Leadership I and Emerging Leadership II	3 hours
COM 230	Advanced Public Speaking	3 hours
COM 334	Group and Organizational Communications	3 hours
COM 490	Communication Capstone	3 hours
LR 378X	Servant Leadership	3 hours
Leadership Practicum (choose one):
LR 470X	Leadership Dynamics Practicum	3 hours
	Combination of LR 220, LR 420, and LR 440	3 hours
Total Hours		18 hours
Relational Communication Emphasis
COM 334	Group and Organizational Communication	3 hours
COM 338	Gender and Family Communication	3 hours
COM 490	Communication Capstone	3 hours
PSY 220	Interpersonal Skills Training	3 hours
PSY 300 OR PSY 350X	Personality Theories OR Social Psychology	3 hours
Select one of the following:
PSY 170X	Leadership Dynamics	3 hours
PSY 230	Crisis Intervention	3 hours
PSY 356	Conflict Management	3 hours
Total Hours		18 hrs

CAREER OUTCOMES:
Media Writer	Customer Care
Public Relations Specialist	Editor
Communication Director	Market Researcher
Creative Director	Events Planner
Sales Manager	Copywriter