Investing in four-year bachelor’s in communications programs in Alabama could help your media career take flight in the “Yellowhammer State.”
Admitted to the Union in 1819, Alabama sits upon the Gulf Coast Plain with the United States’ 24th largest population of 4.86 million. With big cities like Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, and Montgomery, Alabama has developed a $170 billion economy ripe for communications students. Majors could gain experience with top 20 employers, such as AT&T, Hyundai Motors, Boeing, Redstone Arsenal, and Regions Financial Corporation. Alabamans also rely on media outlets like the Birmingham Post-Herald and WAAY 31 ABC for information.
The BLS reports that the 17,370 entertainment and media jobs in Alabama provide an annual mean wage of $41,500. Peruse the starting list of communications schools in Alabama (A-S) to find high-quality training.
Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University
College of Education, Humanities, and Behavioral Sciences
Fully SACS accredited since 1969, Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University is a public, historically black land-grant and space-grant TMCF member located on an 880-acre urban campus designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in Normal to educate around 4,500 undergrad Bulldogs. Named America’s 56th “Best HBCU School” on Niche, Alabama A&M is ranked the 102nd best Southern college and 43rd top public university by the U.S. News. The College of Education, Humanities, and Behavioral Sciences occupies the Carver Complex for six academic departments with 53 percent admission.
Communication Arts, B.A.
Alabama A&M’s Communication Arts B.A. is delivered face-to-face with a 20:1 student-faculty ratio to equip diverse undergrads with the technical and scholastic skills to put communication theory into practice. Unlike some bachelor’s in communications programs in Alabama, this 125-credit degree offers three specializations: Telecom Operations, Performance, to Production. Courses range from general speech to broadcasting and advanced composition before senior practicum. Majors could also study overseas in Spain, work for WJAB 90.9 FM, join Alpha Phi Omega, or write for The Maroon and White.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
4900 Meridian Street N.
P.O. Box 908
Normal, AL 35762
(256) 372-5512
info@aamu.edu
Program Link
Alabama State University
College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
Noted for alumni like attorney Fred Gray and activist Ralph Abernathy, Alabama State University is a public, historically black TMCF member endowed for $86.5 million to educate around 5,300 undergrad Hornets from 172 urban acres in Montgomery. Picked for America’s 150th “Best Greek Life” on Niche, ASU is ranked the 35th best HBCU with the 193rd best online graduate education by the U.S. News. The College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences currently charges $8,750 in-state and $15,656 out-of-state each year within another of the best bachelor’s in communications programs in Alabama for minorities.
B.A. in Communications
Selectively admitting 48 percent of applicants, the B.A. in Communications at ASU follows a 123-credit curriculum to broaden students’ understanding of the models and theories for effective passage of information. Majors select from six specializations: Print Journalism, Public Relations, Radio and Television, Communication Studies, Recording Industry, or Recording Industry Technology. At least six credits are required in French or Spanish. Students could also contribute to The Hornet Tribune, broadcast on WVAS 90.7 FM, and join the PRSSA Chapter.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
915 S. Jackson Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 229-4493
dokeowo@alasu.edu
Program Link
Auburn University
School of Communication & Journalism
Belonging to the SEC Academic Initiative, Auburn University is a public, sea-grant RU/VH research institution led by President Jay Gogue that’s attracting over 22,650 undergrad Tigers with an average 3.83 GPA upon its 1,843-acre urban campus in Lee County. Applauded for America’s #9 “Best College Athletics” on Niche, Auburn is deemed the 99th best national college and 652nd best global university by the U.S. News. With a job placement rate of 94 percent, the School of Communication & Journalism has also won 23 National Pacemaker Awards since 1966 for its newspaper, The Auburn Plainsman.
Communication Major
Leading to a B.A., the Communication Major at Auburn unlocks an early-career median salary of $45,400 by nurturing undergraduates’ ability to share information effectively and ethically across diverse channels. Accredited by the ACEJMC, the 123-credit curriculum involves face-to-face courses on rhetoric, human communication, social influence, journalism, public speaking, and foreign language like Spanish. Majors could also declare the Sports Communication Minor, write columns for The Auburn Circle, broadcast live on WEGL 91.1 FM, join the Women’s Leadership Institute, and compete on the Mock Trial Team.
Agricultural Communications Major
Auburn’s Agricultural Communications Major is among the most unique bachelor’s in communications programs in Alabama offering the science-based background to enter media-related jobs in the farming or natural resources industry. The 122-credit curriculum spans courses from English composition and public relations to plant pathology and agribusiness before a junior-level internship. Students may add the Poultry Science Minor, study abroad in Peru, become AG Ambassadors, and join the Collegiate FFA Chapter. Graduates have excelled with Berkshire Hathaway, Rabo Agrifinance, KLI Communications, and more.
Accreditation
• Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
217 Tichenor Hall
Auburn University, AL 36849
(334) 844-2756
worthdl@auburn.edu
Program Link
Huntingdon College
School of Arts and Humanities
Occupying a 58-acre, Gothic Revival-style campus in the suburbs of Montgomery that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Huntingdon College is a private, co-educational liberal arts institution operated by the United Methodist Church to enlighten over 1,100 faithfuls. Graded B+ as America’s 194th “Best College with No Application Fee” on Niche, Huntingdon is ranked the 10th best Southern school and 10th top value by the USNWR. The School of Arts and Humanities awards one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Alabama with selective admission at 58 percent.
Major in Communication Studies
Featuring a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, the Major in Communication Studies lets Huntingdon Hawks develop their critical thinking and analysis skills while fostering in-depth content knowledge on human communication methods. Housed in Flowers Hall, the traditional 36-credit major blends courses like public relations, rhetorical criticism, and digital media before the Major Field Test and senior capstone. Undergrads may also join Lambda Pi Eta, deepen study in the Hobbs Honor Program, conduct travel-study to Costa Rica, add the Pre-Theology track, or edit the Bells and Pomegranates yearbook.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
1500 East Fairview Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36106
(334) 833-4366
ldisbrow@hawks.huntingdon.edu
Program Link
Jacksonville State University
School of Business & Industry
Celebrating its 135th anniversary, Jacksonville State University is a public, co-educational doctoral institution endowed for $12.59 million that’s attracted 8,650 Gamecocks from 73 countries to study upon 459 rural acres in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Area. Lauded for America’s 224th “Best College Food” on Niche, JSU is named the 98th best Southern school and 41st top public university by the U.S. News. With 71 percent retention, the School of Business & Industry also ranked for the 425th best undergrad business degrees.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Embracing JSU’s 5+7 Values, the Bachelor of Arts in Communication is another of the ACEJMC-accredited bachelor’s in communications programs in Alabama that’s training students for high-demand media fields. The 128-unit curriculum offers courses in Self Hall with AppleTV and Smartboard technology for three tracks: Broadcast, Public Relations, or Digital Journalism. Students complete 350-hour internships at placements like CNN, JM Productions, and The Birmingham News. Majors may also join the Society of Professional Journalists, promote WLJS 91.9 FM shows, and practice in the Digital Editing Lab.
Accreditation
• Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
700 Pelham Road N.
Jacksonville, AL 36265
(256) 782-5300
kharbor@jsu.edu
Program Link
Miles College
Communications Division
Named after the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church’s founder William H. Miles in 1898, Miles College is a private, historically black Christian UNCF member located on 76 suburban acres in Fairfield southeast of Pleasant Grove to enroll approximately 1,820 Golden Bears. Ranked America’s 76th “Best HBCU School” on Niche, Miles was placed in the top 5 percent nationally for communication and journalism by College Factual. Presently charging $11,604 yearly, the Communications Division has 100 percent admission rate for one of the most accessible bachelor’s in communications programs in Alabama.
B.A. Degree in Communications
Offering access to cutting-edge software like Final Cut Pro and Video Toaster 4, the B.A. Degree in Communications at Miles ensures undergrads have the digital technology skills to enter today’s mass media industry. The 120-credit bachelor’s offers three specialized tracks: Journalism and Public Relations, Electronic and Visual Communications, or Management and Communications Law. Courses range from news reporting to public speaking with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. Majors could also join Communications Club, write for The Milean, work in the MC-TV Studio, or study abroad in South Africa.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
5500 Myron Massey Blvd.
Fairfield, AL 35064
(205) 929-1609
bbaptiste@miles.edu
Program Link
Oakwood University
School of Arts & Sciences
Owned by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Oakwood University is a private, historically Black AAA-accredited master’s institution within the CIC that’s grown since 1896 to educate 1,810 Ambassadors from its 1,185-acre urban campus in Huntsville upon the Ellen G. White Estate. Picked as America’s 36th “Best HBCU School” on Niche, Oakwood is named the 47th best Southern university with 76 percent retention by the U.S. News. The School of Arts & Sciences delivers Christ-centered education in seven departments, including one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Alabama.
Communication (B.A.)
Housed in Burrell Hall, the Communication (B.A.) abides by Oakwood’s mission of “Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve” by helping undergrads find their professional and spiritual voice for expressing themselves effectively in any setting. After 32 credits are finished with a 2.5 GPA or better, students begin the 46-credit major with a concentration in Communication Arts or Public Relations. Available electives range from digital photography to video editing and presentation planning. Majors could also join Communication Club, produce in Three Oaks Studio, and write for The Spreading Oak.
Accreditation
• Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
7000 Adventist Blvd. NW
Huntsville, AL 35896
(256) 726-7533
admission@oakwood.edu
Program Link
Samford University
Howard College of Arts and Sciences
Opened in 1841 as Howard College on Rev. James H. DeVotie’s land, Samford University has become a private, co-educational Baptist institution endowed for $272.8 million to educate around 3,300 undergrad Bulldogs from a 247-acre suburban campus in Homewood just 4.4 miles from Birmingham. Declared America’s 88th “Best Small College” on Niche, Samford is ranked the fourth best Southern school and fourth most veteran-friendly university by the U.S. News. The Howard College of Arts and Sciences has 31 majors, including bachelor’s in communication programs in Alabama, and the John Howard Scholars Program.
Communication Studies Major (B.A.)
With an average net price of $27,306, the Communication Studies Major (B.A.) at Samford leads students through a 128-credit curriculum to better understand messages people send in personal or public arenas. Small classes study topics from intercultural communication to persuasion and linguistics. Upperclassmen can include a semester-long internship with Cayenne Creative, Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, Mossaic Birmingham, Alabama Magazine, and more. Students could also compete on the Debate Team that won First Place in the 2016 Kentucky College Tournament and conduct research for the Theodore Clevenger Undergraduate Honors Conference.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229
(205) 726-2509
mjjanas@samford.edu
Program Link
Spring Hill College
Howard College of Arts and Sciences
Nestled upon 400 urban acres on Mobile’s Avenue of the Oaks, Spring Hill College is the South’s oldest private, nonprofit Catholic AJCU member offering liberal arts education to approximately 1,400 Badgers with a $19.1 million endowment. Ranked the 338th best private college with the 162nd most grateful grads nationally by Forbes, SHC is deemed America’s 239th “Hardest College to Get Into” on Niche. The Howard College of Arts and Sciences selectively admits 41 percent of applicants toward its bachelor’s in communications program in Alabama.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts
Maintaining Jesuit values since 1974, SHC’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts engages undergrads in the serious study of human communication to develop ethical, responsible speakers with high media literacy. The 47-credit major features concentrations in Digital Video Production, Journalism, and Public Relations & Advertising with an optional double major in Marketing. Students must complete at least 160 internship hours at placements like WKRG, Hirons Advertising, Mobile Arts Council, and more. Undergrads may also write for the Springhillian, broadcast on Badger TV, join Lambda Pi Eta, and study at the Italy Center.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
4000 Dauphin Street
Mobile, AL 36608
(251) 380-3840
sbabington@shc.edu
Program Link
According to Business News Daily, communication is the #1 most in-demand soft skill that entices employers. Being able to eloquently exchange ideas and news whether to co-workers or the public is essential in every industry from agriculture to human resources. The BLS predicts 10-year job growth of 4 percent in media professions, but your job opportunities won’t stop there. Communications majors could excel as promotions managers, event planners, medical writers, librarians, grant writers, community affairs liaisons, and more. Boost your career flexibility with these bachelor’s in communications programs in Alabama.
To be continued here: Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Alabama (T-Z)