Effective communication is vital to the success of any organization in the new millennium and the Department of Communication Arts empowers students to creatively manage professional communication challenges. Graduates learn to use technology, speak effectively, write clearly, analyze, synthesize, communicate persuasively, explain, critique, edit, solve problems, innovate, lead, reason, practice sound ethics and exceed expectations.
Communication Arts students have been recognized for their excellence through a resolution by the State of Florida House of Representatives. Advertising students have won the state advertising championship 7 times (with several top three state finishes as well), and they have won the national advertising championship a record 3 times. The advertising program has been ranked one of "top 10 advertising programs" in the nation.
Students on the Voyager staff competed at the Southeast Journalism Conference against student journalists from 60 other colleges and universities in the South and came home with three first place finishes for feature writing, news reporting and newspaper graphics.
Communication Arts students pursuing forensics have won the National Forensic Association national championship. Based on its 2008 competitive performance, the UWF debate and forensics program moved up one division, putting it among the top 30 programs in the country. The Department of Communication Arts has been the host for two national forensic tournaments in the past five years.
Students in public relations have brought home several competitive awards. They won the Florida Public Relations Association contest for best student-directed public relations campaign twice in the past four years. The Public Relations program has been ranked one of the "top 100 PR programs" in the country.
Television production graduates now hold jobs at CNN, the Home Shopping Network, Al-Jazeera and the BBC, as well as WEAR-TV in Pensacola.
Communication Arts is the home of champions! We extend to you an invitation to join the team.
The department prepares students for careers in five areas of specialization.
ADDYs and Cleos and Effies, Oh My!: Discover the fascinating world of Advertising through the Department of Communication Arts. It's your ticket to a field where your best and brightest ideas can come to life (and be seen by millions). Classes include:
Start the Presses: The UWF Journalism tract will give you the skills needed for a career in the fast-paced, dynamic world of journalism. Prepare for responsibilities in contemporary news with roles ranging from reporter to columnist. Classes include:
Taming the Savage Beast: The "leadership degree" in Organizational Communication empowers you with the communication skills needed to fulfill leadership roles in human resources, event planning, management and media relations. Classes include:
Changing Attitudes & Latitudes: Public Relations prepares you for a career as a communication specialist in education, health, government, corporations, entertainment, sports and travel. There is no limit to your potential. Classes include:
It's a Wrap: From the excitement of Hollywood motion pictures to the penetrating insights of documentay film, plot your career path with Telecommunication & Film. Join us to master the diverse tools necessary to succeed in the art and craft of television, radio and film management and production. Classes include:
In addition, the department offers a Minor in Communication and a Graduate Program in Communication.
Please see the UWF Catalog (PDF) or contact the Communication Arts Advisor