Finishing bachelor’s in communications programs in Louisiana can teach Bayou natives how to translate English words into sweet prose for “Sugar State” job opportunities. Ranked 36th for growth prospects on Forbes with a $243 billion GSP, Louisiana has a strong media market conveying truth to 4.68 million residents. Well-known outlets like Shreveport Journal, KNOE-TV, The New Orleans Advocate, WYLD 98.5FM, and The Acadiana Profile need trained staff. Communications grads could also shape public relations at top 25 Louisiana employers, including Ochsner Medical Center, Ingalls, Lockheed Martin, Harrah’s, and Willis-Knighton. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that Louisiana’s 17,170 media jobs bring home a mean yearly salary of $55,020. Here are the first eight undergraduate communications schools in Louisiana (A-L) that help vocalize passions verbosely.
Dillard University
School of Humanities
Founded by the Congregational Church as Straight College in 1868, Dillard University is a private, Methodist UNCF member of the Gulf Coast Conference that’s endowed for $58 million to instruct 1,250 Bleu Devils across 35 majors at its 55-acre Gentilly campus near London Avenue Canal. Dillard is deemed America’s 11th best HBCU by the U.S. News & World Report, 195th best Greek life college on Niche, and 83rd best liberal arts university in Washington Monthly. The School of Humanities maintains a 13:1 student-professor ratio for one of the most selective bachelor’s in communications programs in Louisiana with 38 percent acceptance.
Mass Communication Major, B.A.
Chaired by Dr. Cleo Joffrion Allen, Dillard’s Mass Communication Major B.A. strengthens undergrads’ English proficiency for the utilization of multimedia to convey information. The 122-credit degree currently charges $8,290 per full-time semester for three concentrations: Print Journalism, Broadcast Journalism, or Public Relations. Students could also attend the New York Times Institute, write for The Courtbouillon, report news for DU-TV, study abroad in Peru, intern with NOLA Media Group, and join the PRSSA.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Professional Schools Building Suite 280D
2601 Gentilly Boulevard
New Orleans, LA 70122
(504) 816-4331
callen@dillard.edu
Grambling State University
College of Professional & Graduate Studies
Located atop a 590-acre Lincoln Parish campus with the Eddie G. Robinson Museum, Grambling State University is a public, coeducational civic-engaged TMCF member founded in 1901 that’s endowed for $4.5 million to show 3,883 undergrad Tigers that “Everybody is Somebody.” GSU is proclaimed America’s 356th hardest college to get accepted on Niche, 44th best historically Black school by the U.S. News & World Report, and 79th best master’s university in Washington Monthly. The College of Professional & Graduate Studies ranked eighth among bachelor’s in communications programs in Louisiana on College Factual with an average net price of $17,239.
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication
Adhering to ACEJMC standards, Grambling’s Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication builds an intellectual climate for students to practice journalistic responsibilities spreading factual messages to diverse audiences. Organized by Dr. Robbie Morganfield, the 120-credit program lets majors concentrate in Journalism, Public Relations, Visual Journalism, Sports Media, Broadcasting, or Business Journalism. Undergrads might also DJ on 91.5FM, edit Tiger Happenings, run the YouTube channel, join the Broadcasting Society, and attend Mass Communication Day events.
Accreditation
• Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
403 Main Street, Box 4292
Grambling, LA 71245
(318) 274-2403
morganfieldr@gram.edu
Louisiana College
Department of Communication Studies
Endowed for $27.1 million, Louisiana College is a private, nonprofit Baptist liberal arts CCCU member opened by Edwin O. Ware Sr. in 1906 that’s educating 1,265 Wildcats in the American Southwest Conference at the 81-acre Red River campus in Pineville. LC was lauded for America’s 118th most conservative students on Niche, 35th highest PhD completion rate in Washington Monthly, and 354th best value by College Factual. Given top honors at the 2017 Classic International Public Debate Tournament, the Department of Communication Studies features two bachelor’s in communications programs in Louisiana that cost $500 per credit.
BA Communication Studies
Placing God first, Louisiana College’s BA Communication Studies is a four-year, faith-forward program overseen by Dr. Elizabeth Barfoot Christian to teach undergrads the pragmatics of human interaction by word and paper. Offering an optional Public Relations concentration, the 127-credit bachelor’s ends with a capstone project after courses like Media Persuasion and Elementary Greek. Majors may also compete on the Debate Team, declare the Social Media Marketing Minor, pursue Honors, intern with KALB-TV, and tutor in the Writing Center.
BA Leadership with Communication Concentration
Launched in 2017, the BA Leadership at Louisiana College offers concentrations for Christian Studies, Communication, and Business to prepare Wildcats for roaring into supervisory roles boosting organizational productivity with Christ-like character. The 128-credit, interdisciplinary curriculum integrates media courses like Crisis Communication into Ministerial Ethics, Negotiation, Industrial Psychology, and more with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. Undergrads can broadcast on KZLC 95.5FM, volunteer at the Red Cross, travel to Kenya, and join SGA too.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
1140 College Drive
Pineville, LA 71360
(318) 487-7011
elizabeth.christian@lacollege.edu
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Manship School of Mass Communication
Linked to 156,356 LinkedIn alumni, including media greats Don Lemon and Beth Courtney, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is a public, research-centered APLU member founded in 1860 that’s endowed for $845 million with a 4,925-acre, Renaissance-style Baton Rouge campus. LSU was declared America’s 62nd best public college in Forbes, 66th top value on WalletHub, and 67th top research university by Washington Monthly. Headed by Dr. Jerry Ceppos, a SPJ Ethic in Journalism Award winner, the Manship School of Mass Communication was also ranked 83rd nationally on Niche for another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Louisiana.
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication
Presently priced at $11,318 in-state and $27,994 out-of-state yearly, LSU’s Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication trains Tigers to eloquently express innovative ideas across platforms from the sidelines to the boardroom. The 39-credit, ACEJMC-accredited major presents four concentrations in Public Relations, Political Communication, Journalism, and Digital Advertising. Undergrads could also pursue the 3+3 Hebert Law Program, become Manship Ambassadors, intern with ESPN, edit Reveille, broadcast on KLSU 91.1FM, and research in the Media Effects Lab.
Accreditation
• Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Journalism Building Room 213
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
(225) 578-1899
masscomm@lsu.edu
Louisiana State University-Alexandria
Department of Arts, English & Humanities
Generating an $84.4 million annual economic impact, Louisiana State University-Alexandria is a public, coeducational RRAC member created by the Bayou State Legislature in 1959 that’s serving 3,378 Generals at its 2,000-acre Oakland Plantation campus in Rapides Parish. LSUA is judged America’s 240th best liberal arts school in Washington Monthly, 161st top English college by College Factual, and 508th best college dorms on Niche. The Department of Arts, English & Humanities admits freshmen with minimum 19 ACT scores for $6,668 in-state and $15,708 out-of-state into another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Louisiana.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
Redesigned in Fall 2017, LSUA’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies has a 19:1 student-faculty ratio for engaging discourse that fosters lifelong abilities to articulate thoughts meaningfully. The 36-credit major led by Dr. Holly Wilson requires a foreign language before concentrations in Sport Broadcasting, Speech, Visual Communication, and Public Relations. Students may also pledge Sigma Tau Delta, intern at Town Talk, join the Sports Media Club, minor in Printmaking, and earn the Central Louisiana Advertising Scholarship.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Mulder Hall Room 380
8100 Highway 71 South
Alexandria, LA 71302
(318) 473-6582
hwilson@lsua.edu
Louisiana State University-Shreveport
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Piloting dreams since 1967, Louisiana State University-Shreveport is a public, coeducational NAIA institution that’s generating $46 million annually by instructing 2,644 undergrads with an average GPA of 3.34 at its 200-acre Red River campus in Forbes’ 194th best city for careers. LSUS is crowned America’s 200th best value on WalletHub, 166th top research university in Washington Monthly, and 205th most conservative school by Niche. The School of Humanities and Social Sciences offers one of the most flexible bachelor’s in communications programs in Louisiana on-site or online on Moodle with 89 percent job placement.
BA in Mass Communication
Overseen by Dr. Linda Webster, LSU Shreveport’s BA in Mass Communication prepares Pilots with the interpersonal and critical thinking skills for navigating the media-rich culture. Presently billing $284 per credit, the 40-course curriculum has three available concentrations for Electronic Media, Journalism, and Public Relations. Students could also engage in PRSO Chapter events, earn the Zeak Buckner Writing Scholarship, write for The Almagest, pledge Lambda Pi Eta, review Noel Memorial Library resources, and continue for the MA in Liberal Arts.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Bronson Hall Room 330
1 University Place
Shreveport, LA 71115
(318) 797-5376
linda.webster@lsus.edu
Louisiana Tech University
College of Liberal Arts
Enrolling 12,873 Bulldogs from 64 countries every quarter, Louisiana Tech University is a public, space-grant top-tier research institution established in 1894 that’s endowed for $99.8 million in Conference USA with a 1,774-acre Ruston campus off Interstate 20 near Barksdale Air Force Base. Louisiana Tech is designated America’s sixth most underrated college by Business Insider, 65th top public value in Kiplinger’s, and 264th best online undergraduate school on the U.S. News & World Report. The College of Liberal Arts was also ranked 259th nationally by Niche for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Louisiana with average student debt of $13,125.
B.A. in Communication Studies
Known for its Speech and Hearing Center, Louisiana Tech’s B.A. in Communication Studies will survey all forms of human interaction in social and organizational contexts for various career applications. The 33-credit major directed by Dr. Brenda Heiman ends with an independent study project after concentrations for Mass Communication or Journalism. Other opportunities include earning a Pre-Professional Speech-Language Pathology Minor, travel to Costa Rica, join Debate Team, publish The News Star, broadcast on KLPI 89.1FM, and achieve the Lettie-Pate-Whitehead Scholarship.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Robinson Hall Room 306
305 Wisteria Street
Ruston, LA 71272
(318) 257-4764
bheiman@latech.edu
Loyola University New Orleans
College of Arts & Sciences
Named an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character, Loyola University New Orleans is a private, Jesuit research-intensive “hidden gem” chartered in 1912 that’s welcoming 3,165 undergrad Wolves to its 19-acre Audubon Park campus around Marquette Hall. Loyola is crowned America’s 296th best private university in Forbes, 102nd best small college on Niche, and 34th best study abroad school by the Institute for International Education. Recognized for the fifth best college newspaper on The Princeton Review, the College of Arts & Sciences has an Associate Press Award-winning division delivering one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Louisiana for $39,942 before aid.
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication
Available in New Orleans or online via Blackboard Learn, Loyola’s Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication produces visionary media experts for the responsible, attention-grabbing dissemination of knowledge. Coordinated by Dr. Sonya Duhe, the 48-credit, ACEJMC-accredited major has sequences specialized for Journalism, Strategic Communications, or Visual Communication and a Social Media Minor. Undergrads may also gain experience in the Shawn M. Donnelly Center, enter the Bateman Case Study Competition, get published in The Maroon, attend the Film Festival, and join Ad Club.
Accreditation
• Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Communication Complex Room 332
6363 St. Charles Avenue, Box 201
New Orleans, LA 70118
(504) 865-3450
sduhe@loyno.edu
Student Loan Hero ranked communications as the #3 worst major for ROI, but desire to use one’s voice and writing to impact positive change is a bigger motivator than money. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted that media jobs will grow by 6 percent through 2026 for 43,200 jobs from Boston to Baton Rouge. Communications students can also find well-paid positions like a technical writer, television producer, PR manager, social media manager, and advertising planner. Continue searching for training in our next section of bachelor’s in communications programs in Louisiana.
Continue here: Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Louisiana (M-Z)
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