Communication, School of

Cynthia Klekar-Cunningham, Director
Main Office: 305 Sprau
Telephone: (269) 387-3130
Undergraduate Advising Office: (269) 387-3197
Clifford Media Center: (269) 387-3134
Fax: (269) 387-3990

Bryan Abendschein
Julie Apker, Director Graduate Program
Sandra Borden
Sue Ellen Christian
Autumn Edwards
Chad Edwards
Annette Hamel
Keith Hearit
Richard Junger
Joseph Kayany
Marilyn S. Kritzman
Vincent Longo
Lynete Mukhongo
Leah Omilion-Hodges
Mark Orbe
Anna Popkova
Kathleen M. Propp, Director Undergraduate Program
Kelly Wittenberg

Mission Statement
The School of Communication is committed to excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, scholarship and the practice of communication. As teacher-scholars, our purpose is two-fold:

Develop reflective and skilled communicators who value diversity, community, ethics and critical thinking; and
Contribute to the research and practice of our discipline with an emphasis on collaboration with local, regional, national, and international partners to examine organizational, community, educational and social issues.

Communication Programs
Communication is the principal mode for establishing and maintaining human relationships. It consists of those processes by which society is made possible, by which people develop and exchange ideas, solve problems and work cooperatively in attaining common objectives. Effective communication is an educational imperative for all human beings.

The study of communication is important to virtually every profession that involves working with people, making it an excellent major, minor or cognate for communication-related jobs in education, business, government agencies, media, health care professions, social services, industry and other public and private organizations. Communication is central to positions in public relations, strategic communication, information management, employee communication and training and development. Professional curricular programs in diverse modes of media production provide both the background knowledge and training for positions in journalism and media production, performance and management.

The School of Communication is dedicated to meeting the personal and professional communication objectives of our students. Five major areas of concentration are available: Communication Studies; Digital Media and Journalism; Film, Video, and Media Studies; Interpersonal Communication; and Strategic Communication. These major areas of concentration reflect the primary divisions in the discipline, with required courses to ensure adequate preparation in specific fields. The concentration areas and accompanying upper-level requirements provide appropriate guidance to assure that programs of study are academically sound.

Four minors - Minor in Communication, Minor in Film and Digital Storytelling, Minor in Journalism and Minor in User Experience/Human-Computer Interaction are also offered.

Communication majors and minors may choose to participate in the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance certificate program. This program is designed to prepare students for leadership in nonprofit organizations. Students qualify for the certificate by taking courses in the Nonprofit Leadership minor which meet the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance competency requirements. For details, please see the Nonprofit Leadership minor description in the School of Public Affairs and Administration section of this catalog.

The School also encourages a close relationship between academic classes and extracurricular and co-curricular experiences. Students may become involved in a variety of activities, including community service projects; the Public Relations Organization (PRO); the Student Media Group comprised of WIDR-FM; The Western Herald and the Young Broadcasters of Tomorrow (YBOT); videotaping of special events and internships in a variety of organizations. Academic credit may be earned for significant participation in many of these communication activities.

Students planning to major or minor in any of the communication areas should discuss their program needs and interests with the School of Communication advisor at the earliest possible date. To find out more about advising and/or to make an advising appointment, visit our website at wmich.edu/communication, click on “Advising” and then follow the desired links. Students can schedule an appointment with the advisor or can email com-advising@wmich.edu for specific advising needs.

Transfer Students
All transfer students majoring or minoring in Communication should consult the relevant transfer guides and meet with the School of Communication advisor to discuss specific course equivalencies to transfer credit in Communication courses from other colleges.

Some courses are approved as direct equivalents to current WMU courses in the major or minor or;
Some courses are allowed as electives in the major or minor.

Any course not used toward a School of Communication major or minor may be used as electives to meet the minimum required 122 credits needed for graduation from WMU.

Special Rules/Restrictions

Students must have a grade of “C” or better in any prerequisite before they can enroll in the subsequent course for all prerequisites in the School of Communication.
Students must have a grade of “C” or better for any class to count toward a School of Communication major or minor (a grade of “B” or better for graduate courses.)
The School of Communication has a TWO-repeat policy. Students may only take a course twice in their attempt to obtain a grade of “C” or better.

Undergraduates with junior or senior status and with listed prerequisites completed may enroll in 5000-level courses with prior approval of advisor and/or instructor.

General Program Requirements

All major/minor programs must be approved by the School of Communication advisor. Declaration of a major/minor in communication must be made with the School of Communication advisor.
Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all course work applied toward a major/minor program.
Prerequisites listed for all communication courses must be met. A course and its prerequisite cannot be taken at the same time. Students who have not completed the prerequisites with a grade of “C” or better will be dropped from the class. All 5000-level courses require junior or senior standing, in addition to any specific prerequisites listed.
Petitions for exceptions to any School of Communication policies should be directed to the School of Communication director.

Accelerated Graduate Degree Program
For more information about department accelerated graduate degree programs see the graduate catalog.