About us

The School of Communication offers the Bachelor of Science degree in Communication. Our majors select one of four professionally oriented concentrations:

• Advertising
• Digital Video Production
• Multimedia Journalism
• Public Relations

The B.S. in Communication is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications.

The school also offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies.

In addition, the school offers four minor programs:

• Communication Studies
• Mass Communication
• Political Campaigns
• Social Media

The School of Communication also offers a Master of Science in Communication Management. The 36-credit degree is an innovative collaboration in which the School of Communication provides the core courses, while students also choose from one of five outside concentrations from the Coggin College of Business, the M.P.A. program of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, the College of Education and Human Services, and the Brooks College of Health.

Classes are a blend of theoretical and applied coursework by faculty members who combine significant professional experience with advanced degrees.

The School of Communication faculty directory is below as is contact information for student advising.

Keeping the Curriculum Current

Our state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities include Mac and PC computer labs, an online media lab, and a HDTV television production center.

The School of Communication has an active advisory board that meets annually. Their purpose is to advise the faculty on the curriculum and serve as mentors to communication students. For more information, please visit the Professional Advisory Board site. The school is also governed by operational procedures and departmental guidelines.

The school's accreditation report is available on our ACEJMC accreditation page. Also available are the strategic plan, diversity plan, and assessment plan.

Transformational Learning

UNF Communication students engage in community-based learning in all of our concentrations. Multimedia Journalism students research and write stories in the Florida Times-Union and contribute several types of content to the newspaper's Jacksonville.com web site. Also, Multimedia Journalism students produce "Inside Jacksonville," a news show, and other TV programming. Digital Video Production students make documentaries that are screened locally and internationally. Every semester Advertising and Public Relations students create fully planned campaigns for First Coast area non-profit organizations. In addition, during every term about 100 Communication majors complete professional internships.

From the Classroom to the Profession

Jacksonville is a great location for a program like ours. This dynamic metro area ranks in the top-50 media markets in the U.S. and is home to a large array of top-flight news media organizations, advertising firms, and public relations firms. The school enjoys a strong cooperative relationship with this professional community. Area professionals are frequent guests in our classes and support our student organizations. In addition, the school involves the professional community in its assessment efforts and curriculum planning.

School Mission

The School of Communication's mission is to create and disseminate knowledge about human and mass-mediated communication processes through high-quality teaching, research, and service to the community.

Mission Statement: B.S. in Communication

The undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Communication major is primarily concerned with professional applications of communication in traditional and emerging media, strategic communication (advertising and public relations), and organizations. Within this context the mission of the School of Communication is to discover, integrate, and disseminate applied and theoretical knowledge about human and mediated communication processes and effects as they relate to individuals, groups, and society.

We are committed to high quality teaching that prepares students for lifelong learning and professional careers in communication; scholarship that advances knowledge of communication and enhances the reputation of the university, and service to the university, academic and professional communities, and to northeast Florida. To achieve our mission, students engage in learning activities inside and outside the classroom, such as participating in media internships and community-based learning, producing news programs, and creating advertising and public relations campaigns for clients.

Mission Statement: M.S. in Communication Management

The Master of Science in Communication Management provides graduate-level professional skills for those seeking communication-related leadership positions at public relations firms, advertising agencies, news outlets, production companies, government agencies, healthcare companies, and other businesses. The program is an innovative collaboration in which the School of Communication provides the core courses, while students customize their degree by choosing one of five outside concentrations from the Coggin College of Business (Business), the M.P.A. program of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration (Nonprofit Management and Public Management), the College of Education and Human Services (Leadership), and the Brooks College of Health (Public Health). To achieve our mission, students demonstrate an understanding of strategy, metrics, economics, ethical and legal issues, and social and cultural issues in communication and media management. In addition, students conduct research that contributes to what is known about communication and media management.

North Florida Nine

Our graduates will be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes, known as the North Florida Nine.

1. Communicate effectively: Communicate clearly and accurately through written, oral, and mediated forms appropriate to the study of communication and professional practice.
2. Think critically: Conduct reasoned evaluation of information to assess its relevance, accuracy, purpose, and meaning.
3. Apply theory: Apply appropriate theoretical concepts of communication in academic and professionally oriented work.
4. Conduct valid research: Apply research methods appropriate to the communication professions to address relevant communication problems. Such methods include quantitative and qualitative research applied in primary and secondary research.
5. Utilize appropriate technologies: Apply the tools and technologies of the communication professions in the creation and dissemination of messages appropriate for professional practice.
6. Value freedom of expression: Understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press embodied in the First Amendment and describe their importance in a democracy.
7. Understand diversity: Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of both domestic society and the peoples and cultures of global society and of the significance and impact of mass communications in society.
8. Practice ethically: Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and the relationship between ethics and law; apply ethical principles to communication professional practice.
9. Regard history: Demonstrate understanding of the history of communication media and professions and the role of key communication professionals and institutions in shaping them.

Mission Statement: B.A. in Communication Studies

The Bachelor of Arts program in Communication Studies is dedicated to providing students with learning experiences to enable them to understand communication and its practice in a variety of relationships. Our Mission is to deliver learning opportunities of the highest quality that investigate the processes of human communication so our students become skilled researchers, writers, speakers, listeners, critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and leaders in the field of Communication Studies. We are committed to providing a faculty engaged in the research and teaching of communication theory and practice that examine the creation, transmission, and analysis of verbal, nonverbal and interpersonal messages as they occur within and among individuals, groups, organizations, and cultures. To achieve our mission learners will engage in experiences within and beyond the classroom that promote theoretical understanding and professional/personal practice of ethical human communication in the areas including but not limited to: rhetoric, persuasion, political, health, interpersonal, organizational, and intercultural communication.