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
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.
Courses
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.
| Code | Title | Credits | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| COM 119 | Introduction to Film | 3 | View |
| COM 121 | Introduction to Theatre (GT-AH1) | 3 | View |
| COM 151 | Introduction to Mass Media (GT-AH2) | 3 | View |
| COM 205 | Communication Arts I | 3 | View |
| COM 241 | Media Writing | 3 | View |
| COM 264 | Introduction to Production and Theory | 3 | View |
| COM 274 | Public Relations Communication | 3 | View |
| COM 284 | Sophomore Portfolio | 1 | View |
| COM 305 | Communication Arts II | 3 | View |
| COM 405 | Communications Arts III | 3 | View |
| COM 484 | Communication Arts Seminar | 2 | View |
Careers
Career preparation starts your first year at Western and is the primary focus of every degree.
Visit Career Services in Library 120 or online to discover your interests, define your goals, and land the career of your dreams.
The data below is automatically collected by Burning Glass Technologies, a firm that sources job market data and provides analytics. The statistics illustrate general trends in U.S. careers, but do not precisely represent every job and salary.
Scholarships
Eligibility
- An outstanding student in the Communication Arts, Languages & Literature Department
- Student must be a junior majoring in Communication or Theatre
- Must have a 3.0 GPA or better
Description
This scholarship is provided by Bob Austin, President of Beta Engineering Company in Austin, Texas. Bob is an alumnus of Western Colorado University, who established this endowment fund to honor Dr. Jess Gern, then Chairman of the Arts and Humanities Department, and to show his appreciation to the College. Award depends on funds available. Selected by: The Communication Arts, Languages & Literature Department. Application: Contact the CALL Department for application and deadline information. 970.943.2025 | Taylor Hall 216Alumni 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).
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 freshman or new transfer.
- The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
- The admission application fee is waived (a $30 value).
- GPA must be 2.0 or above (high school or college of transfer).
The applicant must fill out the application form found here (click). Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.
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).
Description
The Western Presidential Honors Scholarships, established by the Jack and Marilyn MacAllister Foundation shall be an elite class of scholarships awarded to Western's highest achieving and most deserving students, celebrating the ideals of academic excellence and service to the campus and community. Recipients of the Scholarships will be members of the Western Colorado University Honors Program.
There are eight Presidential Honors Scholarships of $2500 each. Each year two new Presidential Honors Scholarships will be awarded to two incoming freshmen.
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.
News & Research
Get Involved
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.
Additional Resources
Department Information
Communication, Arts, Language & Literature (CALL) Department
Department Chairperson
Jack Lucido, MFAProfessor of Communication Arts, Director of Film Studies, Chair of CALL Department
Administrative Assistant
Cindy PetitoAdministrative Assistant II
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Taylor Hall 216
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231