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.