About us

The School of Communication offers Bachelor of Science degrees in:

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

The communication program 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.

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 Advertising

The Advertising major is dedicated to preparing students to become innovative, strategic, and ethical communicators in today’s rapidly evolving media landscape. Through a combination of creative development, data-driven decision-making, and critical thinking, students learn to craft compelling messages and develop effective campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences across both traditional and digital media. The program emphasizes cultural awareness, responsible messaging, and the integration of emerging technologies to ensure graduates are equipped to lead, adapt, and thrive in the dynamic world of advertising.

Mission Statement: B.S. in Digital Video Production

The Digital Video Production major prepares students to become versatile, ethical, and technically proficient storytellers who can thrive across today’s corporate, nonprofit, governmental, and media industries. Through a curriculum that progresses from single-camera production and editing to advanced multi-camera, lighting, and post-production techniques, students gain the ability to conceptualize, plan, and execute projects that meet the needs of real-world clients and audiences. Emphasizing hands-on training in documentary, narrative, corporate, and digital effects production, the program equips students with the creative vision and professional discipline to translate communication goals into compelling visual stories. Graduates emerge with strong portfolios, practical internship experience, and the capacity to adapt to emerging technologies and evolving media platforms - including streaming, social-first formats, and AI-enabled production tools - positioning them as leaders who deliver results in a video-driven world. 

Mission Statement: B.S. in Multimedia Journalism

The Bachelor of Science in Multimedia Journalism is primarily concerned with preparing students for careers in news and related media industries by focusing on a blend of essential journalistic skills and practical, hands-on experience. Students will learn to create accurate, ethical, and engaging news content for various media platforms, with a special emphasis on digital and multimedia storytelling. By acquiring well-rounded knowledge and developing adaptable reporting, writing, and other vital skill sets, students will be well-equipped for the rapidly changing media landscape.

Mission Statement: B.S. in Public Relations

The Bachelor of Science in Public Relations prepares students to think creatively and strategically about how organizations can best communicate with various stakeholders and publics. The degree equips graduates with the knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary for crafting strategic messages and building meaningful relationships while upholding the highest standards of truth and ethics. The varied and dynamic curriculum blends theory and research with practical guidance and experiential learning, focusing on emerging technologies, cultural awareness and effective communication methods for traditional and social media.

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.