About Us

What we study
Our communication curriculum integrates theory and practice, which prepares students to meet today's communication challenges. We equip our undergraduates for success in graduate or professional school and in their chosen professions.  Communication majors at Truman choose one of three areas of emphasis: Communication Studies, Journalism, and Public Communication. All three emphases can be used as preparation for the professional world or for graduate school.  To enhance their experience at Truman, students are actively engaged in student media.  Read on! 

Communication Studies
The study of theories and practices from both rhetorical and social-scientific viewpoints prepares students for a wide variety of careers in management, consulting, research and client/customer service. Journalism
The journalism emphasis promotes industry convergence, critical thinking and competencies required for careers in mediated communication such as newspaper, online, magazine, radio and television.  Read our Convergence Vision Statement, which guides the coursework in journalism and prepares students for the 21st century media industry.  Here's what students say about convergence.

Public Communication
Specialists in public communication choose from a variety of careers in public policy development, political consulting, public relations, integrated and social marketing, non-profit activism and other areas of social influence.

Opportunities outside the classroom
Many communication students participate in internship or practicum experiences.  ...more

Our undergraduates have presented their original research or spoken on panels at numerous academic and professional conferences, including the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the National Communication Association, the Central States Communication Association, the Broadcast Education Association, the Associated Collegiate Press National College Media Convention and College Media Advisers National Convention.

Also, our students are engaged in a variety of experiences and organizations.  They can compete with our nationally ranked forensics and debate team or our state and national award-winning media: Index, the student newspaper; KTRM, the student radio station; Detours, our travel magazine; News 36, our television news show; and Windfall, our arts publication.  Together, the student media have formed the Truman Media Network, a response to growing media convergence to better serve audiences.  Students also can join the Society of Professional Journalists, Ad and PR Organization, Lamda Pi Eta and Pi Kappa Delta.

Our faculty are actively involved in industry organizations.  Assistant Professor, Mark Smith, serves as the president of the Missouri Broadcast Educators Association, and is active in the Missouri Broadcasters Association.