Shenandoah University’s College of Arts & Sciences is your direct connection to a classic, broad-based education to satisfy both your intellectual curiosity and career goals. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, small classes and individualized learning opportunities, we put students at the center of all our decisions and events.

We blend the liberal arts with pre-professional courses and hands-on learning to prepare you for careers in the natural sciences, the social sciences and the humanities. You’ll learn through small, engaging classes and relationships with faculty mentors; hone your skills to solve problems; and learn to use creativity and critical thinking to make informed decisions.

Gain a foundation of knowledge and skills of communication in the 21st century. Your enhanced communication skills will be highly marketable in a variety of professions. We focus on active learning, so you will not be a passive receiver of information, but will engage in the learning process to cultivate creativity, ingenuity and problem solving.

Select a specialized minor in one of these areas:

• Film Studies
• Health Communication
• Professional and Popular Writing
• Public Relations

All of these hands-on, practical minors provide students with real world opportunities.

I chose to minor in Public Relations in order to expand my academic field, as well as my professional development. All of my Media & Communication classes have continually pushed my peers and myself to focus on public speaking and presentations, which anyone from any major would definitely benefit from.

Cassandra Kyle ’25 | Psychology and Criminology and Criminal Justice major, Public Relations minor

Declaring A Minor

Shenandoah students work with their Academic Advisor to declare a minor. Academic Advisors will continue to work with students to ensure that they fulfill all of the requirements to complete the minor.

Incoming students should not indicate their intended minor on their Shenandoah application. Applications are for intended majors only.

All students in the program are required to complete at least one campus or field internship.

SU’s Media and Communication program goes beyond the classroom; I’ve had the opportunity to apply my writing and editing skills in real-world contexts! My internship with the digital marketing company Online Optimism got me to step outside of my comfort zone by writing blog posts, video scripts, and marketing emails. Likewise, my time at SU’s Office of Marketing and Communications taught me how to conduct interviews and publish original content online, all while forging connections with others in the field.

Natalie Gales ’25 | Media and Communication major and Spanish major

The Career & Professional Development staff helps Shenandoah students search and apply for internships related to their major and career goals. Internships differentiate you as an applicant in your future job searches, provide hands on experience in your field, allow you to sample different career paths for your major, and help you find a specific position that fits your passion before graduation.

Career & Professional Development at Shenandoah

SU alumni are employed in the fields of newspaper reporting, radio operations, television sports reporting, university public relations, arts and non-profit management, museum operations and network television news.

Career and Salary Examples for Media & Communication Majors:

• Broadcast Journalist: $44,000
• Event Planner: $55,200
• Journalist: $52,100
• Media Specialist: $57,600
• Public Relations Specialist: $60,800
• Social Media Coordinator: $47,100
• Marketing Manager:$40,752 – $93,069
• Marketing Coordinator: $30,294 – $53,744
• Marketing Director: $35,870 – $123,190

Career & Professional Development provides a comprehensive range of services and resources to assist Shenandoah students in their career search. Services offered include resume and cover letter building, mock interviews, and professional dining etiquette workshops.

Career & Professional Development at Shenandoah

All majors complete a common core of courses in media history, theory, writing, research, law and ethics. Students can then select from an array of elective courses in the areas of journalism, digital media, public relations, and media studies to cultivate their individual talents and professional objectives.

One of the most enriching courses I’ve taken is MCOM-405 (Public Relations Plan/Management). In this class, I developed a real-world PR plan and applied my skills in a professional setting. My scholarship sponsor, the Saudi Arabia Cultural Mission to the U.S., gave me the opportunity to create an ad for King Abdullah Cultural Hall. Through this project, I learned how media could be tailored to engage diverse audiences, especially in an academic environment.’

Bader Aldossary ’26 | Media and Communication major, Public Relations minor

Learning support services are available to all students in every course at Shenandoah. Free peer tutoring with a student who has previously succeeded in the course is available for any course across the university. The Writing Center is available for every stage of the writing process from thesis development to proofreading and bibliography assistance. The Math Enrichment Center is available for math and science assistance. Professors and Academic Advisors across the university also have office hours and open door policies to ensure Shenandoah students succeed academically.

Learning Support Services at Shenandoah

The Honors Program is a multidisciplinary Honors Program for students who are curious, creative, self-motivated, and eager to engage in their education and community.

Not only do Honors Program students partake in honors courses that emphasize collaboration, service, and communication, but they will also have the opportunity to develop aspects of the program based on their own interests and goals. By participating in the Honors Program you will acquire the tools, knowledge and experiences necessary to make meaningful contributions to your community – whether it be globally, locally, or specific to your life’s work. You will have access to unique courses, exciting experiences and a community of peers and faculty who never stop asking questions and striving for excellence.

Explore the Honors Program

Students interested in this program should also look into these other majors, graduate degrees, minors, and certificates. 

All majors within the College of Arts & Sciences require students to complete a minor in the program of their choice at Shenandoah.

These minors complement this program well:

• Film Studies
• English
• Business Administration
• Political Science
• Entrepreneurship
• Esports Management
• Spanish
• Virtual Reality Design
• Health Communication
• Professional and Popular Writing
• Public Relations

This certificate complements this program well:

• History & Documentary Film

Shenandoah University works on rolling admissions and accepts applications throughout the year. Applications are reviewed individually and holistically.

Submit your application, review required admission materials, and find our admissions standards.

Application Information

Imagine participating in interesting conversations led by engaging professors who’ve already done what you dream of doing. You’ll be in a small class — the average class size is approximately 12 students — with professors who know your name, care about your success and provide advice as you pursue your academic and career goals.

Throughout my time at Shenandoah, I always felt supported and prepared for the next step. The Media & Communication faculty will always open their door if you need a meeting. They also have broad connections if you ever need a job recommendation, internship, or just a foot in the door to your next opportunity.”

Xavier Kallash-Kyler ’25 | Media and Communication major, Entrepreneurship minor

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Meet Matt Corr, Department Chair & Associate Professor of Media & Communication

Meet The Media & Communication Faculty

Make studying abroad the highlight of your college experience! Whether you go for a year, a semester, or just a few weeks. You will never forget learning in another culture! The Center for International Programs is here to help you plan your study abroad experience. Start your planning early to ensure the courses you complete abroad count toward your degree and you graduate on time.

Learn About Education Abroad

 

Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program

The Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program offers Shenandoah students a short-term, faculty-led, study-abroad experience for academic credit.  These short-term, credit-bearing, faculty-led programs are offered winter break, spring break, and during the summer. If a course is not within your major, it might be used as an elective.

GEL Courses Currently Offered

 

Study Abroad

Shenandoah University is a member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), a global network of 300 universities. This partnership allows students to study for a full semester or year at other member campuses abroad. By working closely with their academic advisors and the study abroad advisor, students can take classes taught in English abroad while receiving Shenandoah credit.

Shenandoah University also maintains direct partnerships with several universities around the world.  These relationships allow students from SU to study abroad as exchange students and students from these universities to study at SU.  All partner universities offer courses taught in English.

Media and Communication students looking to study abroad should consider studying at Audencia. Located in the city of Nantes, France, 2 hours from Paris, Audencia is an AACSB accredited university that specializes in courses in Business and Media and Communication.

Media and Communication Abroad Course Catalog