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Communication arts

Communication Arts

Bachelor of Arts

In the past ten years, social media, mobile computing and digital marketing have revolutionized the way the world communicates. All of these nuances have made communications an in-demand expertise for almost any career and field.

Program Overview

Communication Arts

Master the art of communications.

There has never been a more exciting and complex time to be in the world of communications.
At Western Colorado University, the Communication Arts curriculum has been adapted to the current demands of the global marketplace. With dynamic courses in Introduction to Film and Theater, Public Relations Communications and Media Writing, you’ll learn how to craft, edit and disseminate stories for artistic and functional expression.

Outside of the classroom, you’ll have the unique opportunity to apply your skills in student-run media outlets like the Western Theater Company and KWSB Radio. Through a combination of relevant coursework and hands-on opportunities, you’ll learn to analyze written, oral, visual, and electronic messages from historical, critical and social science perspectives. A strong communications background will open doors to careers in marketing, politics, executive leadership and many other in-demand fields.

The impact of discourse

Communications Arts students study media-related industries and the issues related to those industries that affect contemporary public discourse.

Program Requirements

At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.

Program Requirements 

All standard majors require a minor in a second discipline or a second major.

A minimum of 36 credits is required including the 9-credit Communication Arts Nucleus, 15 credits of upper-division Communication Arts electives:

Course List
Code Title Credits
Communication Arts Nucleus
COM 205Communication Arts I3
COM 305Communication Arts II3
COM 405Communication Arts Seminar3
Total Credits9

And the following:

Course List
Code Title Credits
COM 241Media Writing3
COM 274Public Relations Communication3
Select one of the following:3
COM 119
Introduction to Film
COM 121
Introduction to Theatre (GT-AH1)
COM 151
Introduction to Mass Media (GT-AH2)
Select one of the following:3
COM 261
Introduction To Audio Communication
COM 264
Introduction to Media Production I
Total Credits12

Capstone Course Requirement

The following course fulfills the capstone course requirement for the Communication Arts Major: COM 405 Communication Arts Seminar.

Graduation Requirements

Undergraduate programs require a minimum of 120 semester credits for graduation.  Of those 120 credits, 40 credits must be in upper-division courses (those marked 300 and above).  Fifteen of these 40 upper-division credits must be earned in courses that are part of the standard or comprehensive major program being pursued. 

Students are expected to review all graduation requirements, which can be found in the Western Undergraduate Catalog: Graduation Requirements

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
COM 119
or COM 121
or COM 151
Introduction to Film
or Introduction to Theatre (GT-AH1)
or Introduction to Mass Media (GT-AH2)
3
ENG 102 Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) 3
Gen Ed General Education (Area I) 3
Gen Ed General Education (Area II) 4
HWTR 100 First Year Seminar 1
MATH 105
or MATH 140
Mathematics for the Liberal Arts (GT-MA1)
or College Algebra (GT-MA1)
3
 Credits17
Spring
COM 241 Media Writing 3
Elective Elective, minor, or second major course 3
Gen Ed General Education (Area I) 3
Gen Ed General Education (Area II) 4
Gen Ed General Education (Area III) 3
 Credits16
Year Two
Fall
COM 205 Communication Arts I 3
COM 274 Public Relations Communication 3
COM 261
or COM 264
Introduction To Audio Communication
or Introduction to Media Production I
3
Gen Ed General Education (Area I) 3
Gen Ed General Education (Area III) 3
 Credits15
Spring
ENG 103 Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) 3
Elective Elective, minor, or second major course 12
 Credits15
Year Three
Fall
COM 305 Communication Arts II 3
COM 346 Multimedia Communication ((or other upper division elective)) 3
Elective Upper division COM elective 3
Elective Elective, minor, or second major course 6
 Credits15
Spring
Elective Upper division COM elective 3
Elective Elective, minor, or second major course 12
 Credits15
Year Four
Fall
COM 405 Communication Arts Seminar 3
Elective Upper division COM elective 3
Elective Elective, minor, or second major course 9
 Credits15
Spring
Elective Elective, minor, or second major course 12
 Credits12
 Total Credits120

Spotlight

Communication Arts

Kaitlyn McKnight

Alumni

“My professors were really invested. The best part about Western was the fact that I had people who went above and beyond for me.”

Communication Arts

Grace Eggleston McClain

Alumni

“My business reminds me of my time at Western. I’m always learning."

Communication Arts

Denise Leleux

Alumni

"The community I found was my favorite memory”

Communication Arts

Caitlin Gleason

Student

“I wanted to know my professors by name and feel like I could go to them.”

Careers


Top Skills

  • Communication
  • Editing
  • Lesson Planning
  • Management
  • Public Speaking
  • Sales



Career Pathways

  • Advertising and Promotions Managers
  • Business Manager
  • Broadcast Announcer
  • Marketing Manager
  • Media Programming Director
  • Producer

Take the first steps toward your academic and personal growth.

Fostering your intellectual development is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling and enriched life after graduation. Wondering how you can apply your program of choice to your intellectual and personal journey? Check out our “What Can I Do With This Major?” tool to explore the diverse opportunities and pathways within any degree program.

Scholarships

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your Scholarships

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your Scholarships

Alumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship

The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.

Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.

  • This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
  • Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
  • GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).

Due date has been extended to April 30 for 2024. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.

Apply

Alumni Legacy Scholarship

The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).

Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:

  • This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
  • Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
  • The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
  • GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).

The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.

Apply

Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship

The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.

Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).

  • Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
  • The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
  • The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.

The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.

For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.

For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.

Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.

For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.

Note: Students enrolled in a Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program (i.e. major) do not qualify for Western Merit Scholarship programs. See the Rady Merit Scholarship section above for scholarship opportunities.

Get Involved

KWSB Radio

Apply your education to the real-world.

Take your education outside of the classroom—build your professional network, gain practical experience and jump-start your career.

  • KWSB Radio: On air since 1968, KWSB is student driven, student staffed, and open to anyone who wants to have their own radio show.
  • Mountaineer Media: A student-run media production group specializing in short films, screenings and storytelling abilities.
  • Western Theatre Company: A co-curricular program and student-run producing board that oversee and provide quality live performance to the campus and Gunnison community.
  • Taylor Media Center: Houses film production studios, audio production studios, and more.
  • Top o’ the World Newspaper: Monthly paper composed by students offering opportunities in newswriting, photography, editing, designing, and advertising sales.

Step up to the mic

Students operate and manage KWSB radio station and program it to serve the student body of Western, the community of Gunnison and the broader internet audience.

News & Research

Western Earns Accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission

Western Earns Accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission

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Pride Month, Tokenism, and Being Queer at Western

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Changing the World by Changing Yourself

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Finding the Right University: Kinlee Whitney

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New Humanities and Diversity Minor Teaches Vital Soft Skills

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Inaugural Disability Film Festival opens this week in virtual format Hosted by Western Colorado University’s Education and Communication Arts Programs

Inaugural Disability Film Festival opens this week in virtual format Hosted by Western Colorado University’s Education and Communication Arts Programs

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online courses

Western Colorado University moves summer courses online

Read More about Western Colorado University moves summer courses online
Bringing the art of dance to the Gunnison Valley highlights the spirit of community for Western’s Honors Program

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Mountaineer Media visits Telluride for film festival

Mountaineer Media visits Telluride for film festival

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Colorado Ballet comes to Western

Colorado Ballet comes to Western

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Additional Resources

Internships for CALL

Internships for CALL Welcome to the CALL Internships Page You can find the official forms you’ll need to apply for and evaluate your internships in […]

Learn More

KWSB 91.1 FM – Get Involved

Introducing KWSB KWSB 91.1 FM provides experiential learning for Western students in a state-of-the-art production facility. Come visit us in Taylor 124A. LISTEN LIVE TO […]

Learn More

Mountaineer Media

Mountaineer Media Mountaineer Media is a student-run media production company funded by student government association funds generated by student fees. This group of talented filmmakers […]

Learn More

Department Chairperson

Tamara Toomey, M.S.

Chair – Communication Arts, Languages and Literature and Lecturer in English

Administrative Assistant

Cindy Petito

Administrative Assistant III

Contact Information

970.943.2025

cpetito@western.edu

Campus Location

Western Colorado University
Taylor Hall 216
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231

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