Communication Arts Major (B.A.)

Communication Arts Major (B.A.)
Communication Arts

With expert faculty, a vast network of internship opportunities and a focus on hands-on learning, our communication arts program gives you the skills and experience to turn your passion into a profession.  


What is communication arts?

Communication is a vital part of daily life, regardless of career or industry—that’s part of the reason why communication arts is one of the largest and most popular of the humanities disciplines. Another reason is the inherent flexibility students find in the job market through the range of transferable skills they develop in this degree program.

Why study communication arts at UNH Manchester?

With expert faculty,a vast network of internship opportunities,and a focus on hands-on learning, the communication arts program at UNH Manchester gives students the skills and experience to turn their passions into professions. Our highly regarded program opens doors to limitless career possibilities—shaping the next generation of filmmakers, journalists, HR specialists, marketers and beyond. With options in advertising and public relations, cinema and media arts, digital media and human relations, communication arts majors can customize their degree for the future they want.

Potential careers

  • Advertising/marketing/PR specialist
  • Brand/project manager
  • Client relationship manager
  • Community/social services counselor
  • Digital video producer/editor
  • Event planner
  • Graphic designer
  • Health educator
  • Human resources specialist
  • Public outreach coordinator
  • Multimedia artist
  • Social media specialist/manager
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Your interests inspire what you study, allowing you to focus your degree with options in:

Curriculum & Requirements

Communication Arts majors explore the creativity, artistry, and impact of human communication. The program offers a rich variety of learning experiences, including:
 
  • Working with cutting-edge digital media in state-of-the-art sound and video production studios and a high-definition editing suite with full Adobe creative cloud access.
  • Discovering how communication theories and practices shape personal identity, social skills, professional relationships, and human relations.
  • Enhancing your media writing, social media, public relations, and strategic communication skills.
  • Exploring the history of media using a super-tech screening room with surround sound.
  • Developing hands-on research activities, creative media projects, and internship experiences that link students with businesses, nonprofits, and the community.
To complete the major, students can take courses from across the Communication Arts curriculum, or they may choose to focus their coursework in one of four suggested areas of study: Jeff Klenotic, program coordinator or contact the UNH Manchester Office of Admissions, (603) 641-4150.

*

Advertising and Public Relations, Cinema and Media Arts, Digital Media, and Human Relations are Degree Options that appear on the official UNH transcript and diploma. The specific requirements for each Degree Option are presented elsewhere in this catalog. Students are encouraged to contact the Communication Arts program coordinator or their academic advisor to discuss whether a Degree Option is the right choice for them.

This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH Manchester undergraduate students will develop individual academic plans with their professional advisor during the first year at UNH.

Sample Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
UMST 401
or UMST 402
First Year Seminar
or Transfer Seminar
1-2
ENGL 401 First-Year Writing 4
CMN 455 Introduction to Media Studies 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
 Credits17-18
Spring
Quantitative Reasoning 4
CMN 456 Propaganda and Persuasion 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
Foreign Language 4
CMN 457 Introduction to Language and Social Interaction 4
Major Elective 4
Discovery Course 4
 Credits16
Spring
Foreign Language 4
Major Elective 4
Major Elective 4
Discovery Course 4
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
Major Elective 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Spring
Major Elective 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Fourth Year
Fall
Major Elective 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Spring
Major Elective 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
 Total Credits129-130

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements
Foreign Language Requirement: Yes

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

Communication Arts (CA) majors must complete 10 courses (40 credits) and maintain a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 in the major. Transfer students must complete at least 20 credits in the Communication Arts major at UNH. Communication Arts majors may use up to two CMN and/or CA courses toward both the Communication Arts major and UNH Discovery Program requirements.

I. Required Core Courses 1
CMN 455Introduction to Media Studies4
CMN 456Propaganda and Persuasion4
CMN 457Introduction to Language and Social Interaction4
II. Selected Coursework 2
Select three courses from area A, two from area B, two from area C below.28
Total Credits40
1

Students must earn a "C" or better in each course to satisfy CA degree requirements.

2

Students must earn a "C-" or better in each course to satisfy CA degree requirements.

A. Communication Practices
Select three courses from the following:12
CA 450
Introduction to Public Speaking
CA 500
Media Writing
CA 501
Internship/Communication in the Urban Community
CA 502
Image and Sound
CA 507
Relational Violence
CA 508
Conflict in Relational Communication
CA 512
Screenwriting
CA 514
Fundamentals of Video Production
CA 515
Advanced Video Production
CA 517
Fundamentals of Audio Prod
CA #518
Advanced Topics in Digital Media Production
CA #519
Advanced Screenwriting
CA 522
Graphic Design I
CA 523
Graphic Design II
PSYC 762
Counseling
Total Credits12
B. Communication Practices: Organization, History, and Policy
Select two courses from the following:8
CA 527
History of Film
CA 531
History and Organization of Advertising
CA 532
Typography I
CA 536
LGBT Images and Perspectives
CA 538
Gender
CA 539
Communicating in Families
CA 540
Public Relations
CA 542
Social Media for Organizations and Business
CA 550
Special Topics in Communication Organization, History, and Policy
COMP 560
Ethics and the Law in the Digital Age
ENGL 534
21st Century Journalism: How the News Works
PHIL 565
Philosophy Through Film
Total Credits8
C. Communication Practices: Theory and Research
Select two courses from the following:8
CA 610
Communication Technologies and Culture
CA 612
Narrative
CA 615
Film History/Theory and Method
CA 618
Documentary
CA 720
Seminar
CA 795
Independent Study
Total Credits8

Capstone Requirement

The capstone requirement will be satisfied in a student's senior year by completion of a specific four-credit capstone course at the 600 or 700 levels. Students may not enroll in a capstone course until they have completed all three CA program core courses (CMN 455 Introduction to Media Studies, CMN 456 Propaganda and Persuasion, and CMN 457 Introduction to Language and Social Interaction) and at least one Area A course and one Area B course. Students must also have completed the prerequisites for the particular capstone course they seek to take. Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the student’s academic advisor and CA program coordinator. The capstone course can also fulfill an Area C course requirement.

The capstone experience offers seniors an opportunity to synthesize and apply knowledge and skills gained throughout their communication arts major coursework. The capstone course requires students to conduct an original research study, a creative media project, an internship, community-based research, or an advanced service learning project in communication arts under the close supervision of a communication arts faculty member. Students are strongly encouraged to share their capstone projects with the larger UNH community through participation in the Undergraduate Research Conference, a presentation in the Brown Bag lunch series, publication in the UNH undergraduate journal Inquiry, or presentation in some other public venue. Students should work closely with their advisors to make sure the capstone requirement has been satisfied.

Courses that satisfy this requirement include, but are not limited to:

Capstone Courses
CA 612Narrative4
CA 615Film History/Theory and Method4
CA 720Seminar4
CA 795Independent Study4

Upon completion of the Communication Arts program, students will be able to:

  • Analyze how creativity, artistry, narrative, identity, persuasion, and ethics shape messages and relationships produced within a variety of social, organizational, and industry contexts.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and skills that give them expertise and proficiency in areas such as human relations, social media, digital video, audio production, graphic design, writing, and speaking.
  • Know the history of communication practices and understand how media technologies and messages have impacted societies, cultures, organizations, and businesses.
  • Effectively research and creatively explore communication practices, experiences, and trends using high quality sources of information, multiple modes of inquiry, and multiple presentation formats.
  • Identify professional interests or career paths by working with the Internship and Career Planning Office and by engaging with communication settings outside the classroom through internships, service learning, field trips, and independent studies.

Explore Program Details

As a communication arts major, you’ll have access to state-of-the-art sound recording and video production studios, a high-definition editing lab and a brand-new digital media screening room with surround sound.

Video Production Studio

From script to screen, bring your work to life in our state-of-the-art video studio and editing lab. Explore the artistry of digital media with high-definition cameras, green screen technology and industry standard editing software.

Audio Studio

The audio studio gives you the tools to record, edit and produce your original projects. Equipped with a digital recording booth, editing stations, control room and more, the studio is your haven for both audio and video production.

Our campus is in the heart of the region’s cultural, economic, entertainment and government activity — putting unlimited internship opportunities at your doorstep. We’ve partnered with local businesses to give you the real-world experience that sets you apart. Communication arts majors have interned at many high-profile organizations in the area, including:

  • Granite United Way
  • NH1 News Network
  • New Hampshire Public Radio
  • N.H. Department of Environmental Services
  • Verizon Wireless Arena
  • WMUR-TV

Learn more about internships

Communication arts majors gain the interpersonal and communication skills that employers in all industries look for. With a highly flexible curriculum and the ability to personalize your studies, your communication arts degree will open doors to unlimited career and graduate education opportunities.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects positive growth in many communications-related professions between 2012 and 2024. Make an impact with career possibilities in any industry, from media to healthcare, education, counseling and beyond.

Job Title Job Growth Average Salary
Advertising, Promotions or Marketing 9% $124,850
Film/Video Editor or Camera Operator 11% $58,900
Graphic Designer 1% $46,900
Health Educator or Community Health Worker 13% $43,840
Market Research Analyst 19% $62,150
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner 10% $46,840
Human Resource Specialist 5% $58,350
Multimedia Artist or Animator 6% $63,970
Producer or Director 9% $68,440
Public Relations Specialist 6% $56,770
Social or Community Service Manager 10% $64,530
Writer or Author 2% $60,250

Learn more about career planning

Add breadth to your degree with a communication arts minor, giving you the interpersonal and communication skills that will set you apart to employers in any industry.

View all minors

In partnership with the New Hampshire community colleges below, we've developed a pathway to show you which courses at your community college will transfer into UNH Manchester's communication arts program.

See the complete list of Pathways 

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