Let’s begin our trek through the “Crossroads of America” with 10 HLC-accredited colleges awarding bachelor’s in communications programs in Indiana.
Located in the Great Lakes Region, Indiana has an audience of 6.63 million people from big-city Indianapolis to small-town Chesterton. The U.S. News ranked Indiana’s diverse $336 billion economy 26th nationally with the 21st best job growth. Communications grads are welcomed into a media market with outlets like The Saturday Evening Post, WQHK-FM, 13 WTHR Indianapolis, Southern Indiana Review, and more. Some work for Fortune 500 corporations like Anthem, Cummins, and Simon Property Group headquartered here. Others are hired at Indiana’s 22 tech firms placed on Inc. 5000’s “Fastest-Growing” list, including Hanapin Marketing, Allegient, and N2N Technologies. The BLS reports that 30,840 Hoosiers have media-related occupations for an overall mean salary of $42,130.
Check out of first installment (A-H) of undergraduate communications schools in Indiana that will speak to your professional goals.
Anderson University
School of Humanities & Behavioral Science
Offering 100+ clubs like Alpha Lambda Delta, Anderson University is a private, master’s-level Christian teaching institution founded in 1917 that’s now operating six academic schools overseen by Provost Marie S. Morris with 2,022 undergrad Ravens on its 100-acre campus near Paramount Theatre. Anderson is ranked America’s 363rd top public college in Forbes, 91st best performing arts school on Niche, and 647th best university overall by Plexuss. The School of Humanities & Behavioral Science integrates “Academic and Christian Discovery” into one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Indiana with 68 percent admission.
Visual Communication Design Major
Presently priced at $14,605 per term, Anderson’s Visual Communication Design Major confers a Bachelor of Arts for undergrads interested in collaboratively creating every pixel of media graphics to convey information to target audiences. Chaired by Dr. David Baird, the 54-credit major builds on the liberal arts core with courses like typography and design methodology. Students can also take projects with Fifth Street Communications, edit The Andersonian, attend the Design Camp each June, exhibit in Wilson Gallery, and study abroad in Rome.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Fine Arts Building 267D
1100 E. Fifth Street
Anderson, IN 46012
(765) 641-4341
dabaird@anderson.edu
Ball State University
College of Communication, Information, and Media
Producing the Emmy Award-winning NewsLink Indiana, Ball State University is a public, coeducational research-intensive institute endowed for $192.6 million that has developed 178,000 living alumni like David Letterman and Stedman Graham on a 1,140-acre campus in Forbes’ 46th best city for careers. BSU is named America’s 187th best university by the U.S. News, 156th best college dorms on Niche, and 534th top value school in Money Magazine. The College of Communication, Information, and Media was also ranked 128th nationally for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Indiana with 95 percent placement success.
Communication Studies Major
Headed by Glen Stamp, PhD, Ball State’s Communication Studies Major emphasizes hands-on experience to nurture skilled writers and speakers who can effectively design impactful messages. Unlocking a median starting salary of $41,200, the 51-credit B.A./B.S. major builds upon core courses like argumentation with three concentrations: Interpersonal Communication, Organizational Communication, and Public Communication. Students may also intern at CBS, compete on the Debate Team, pledge Lambda Pi Eta, minor in Campaign Communication, study overseas in Morocco, and get published in Daily News.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
David Letterman Building 351
2000 University Avenue
Muncie, IN 47306
(765) 285-1882
commstu@bsu.edu
Bethel College Indiana
Communication and Media Arts Department
Celebrating its 75th anniversary with the GREATer Agenda, Bethel College Indiana is a private, suburban-situated evangelical Christian school of the Missionary Church that’s providing whole-person education to 1,388 undergrad Pilots from its 75-acre Penn Township campus near Battell Park. Bethel is ranked America’s 171st best free application college on Niche, 48th best master’s institution in Washington Monthly, and 374th top value in Money Magazine. Given five ICPA Awards for the Bethel Beacon, the Communication and Media Arts Department hosts another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Indiana with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio.
Communication B.A.
Featuring a four-year graduation rate of 64 percent, Bethel’s Communication B.A. takes a Christian approach to foster undergrads’ rhetorical abilities for effectively transmitting accurate information on secular or Church-related multimedia platforms. Directed by Elizabeth W. McLaughlin, PhD, the 120-credit degree currently costs $27,580 per year for courses like philosophy, public relations, and media writing. Majors might also give performances in the Everest-Rohrer Arts Center, study away in Los Angeles, minor in American Sign Language, or broadcast on the Bethel Sports Network.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
1001 Bethel Circle
Mishawaka, IN 46545
(574) 807-7000
Elizabeth.McLaughlin@BethelCollege.edu
Butler University
College of Communication
Occupying a 295-acre Marion County campus designed by Henry H. Dupont in 1903, Butler University is a private, nonsectarian research institution of the Big East that’s endowed for $174 million to educate 4,034 undergrad Bulldogs. Butler is designated America’s 176th best private college on Forbes, 174th top university by Times Higher Education, and 222nd best value in Kiplinger’s. Also ranked 38th nationally on Niche, the College of Communication awards four bachelor’s in communications programs in Indiana with 95 percent job placement at elite companies like Borshoff, General Mills, Sony, and Michael Kors.
Communication Sciences & Disorders Major (BA)
Boasting 100 percent grad school acceptance, Butler’s Communication Sciences & Disorders Major (BA) is a four-year, preparatory option for undergrads interested in clinically treating people with language disabilities like expressive aphasia. The 36-credit major emphasizes human dignity in courses from speech science to phonetics and American sign language. Students could also join the NSSLHA Chapter, practice in the on-site Audiology Clinic, intern with VSA Arts of Indiana, present at the Undergraduate Research Conference, and help children abroad in Tanzania.
Critical Communication and Media Studies Major (BA)
Chaired by Dr. Allison Harthcock, the Critical Communication and Media Studies Major (BA) lets Butler undergrads build the humanities platform for examining the media culture’s influence on diverse peoples and society overall. Committed to social change, the 33-credit major spans Indianapolis courses from freedom of speech to political rhetoric with an optional Film Studies Minor. Bulldogs might also attend the Butler Summer Institute, compete for the Debate Team, study abroad in Australia, intern at Eli Lilly, join Demia, and practice in the Speakers Lab.
Human Communication and Organizational Leadership Major (BA)
Currently costing $38,900 each year, Butler’s Human Communication and Organizational Leadership Major (BA) has selective 70 percent admission for undergrads seeking unlimited possibilities to strategically express themselves in today’s tech-centered business world. The self-designed, 30-credit major blends innovative courses with three concentrations: Leadership Studies, Human Communication and Health, or Organizational Communication. Majors may also intern with St. Vincent New Hope, join the Recording Industry Club, take Washington, DC trips, attend the CCOM Symposium, and write for The Butler Collegian.
Strategic Communication Major (BA)
Ideally located in America’s 25th largest media market, the Strategic Communication Major (BA) at Butler produces tactical communicators who can craft attention-grabbing messages that meet corporate goals. The 36-credit major requires the Public Relations or Advertising specializations after introductory courses like promotional writing and campaign planning. Undergrads can also gain PRSSA membership, enter the Bateman Case Study Competition, intern with CNO Financial, advertise on Indy Blue Radio, produce Bulldog Beat, join ADrenaline Club, and spend six weeks in Japan.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Fairbanks Center 218
4600 Sunset Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46208
(317) 940-9625
ccom@butler.edu
Calumet College of St. Joseph
English, Writing, and Professional Communications Division
Endowed for $3.9 million, Calumet College of St. Joseph is a private, competency-based Catholic liberal arts school emphasizing social justice when educating its 1,115 undergrad Crimson Wave on 256 acres donated by American Oil Company in Whiting near Lake Michigan. Calumet is ranked America’s 237th most selective college on Niche, the Midwest’s 118th best buck in Washington Monthly, and Indiana’s 15th best university by BestColleges.com. The English, Writing, and Professional Communications Division grants one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Indiana for $17,300 per year.
B.A. in English with a Communications Concentration
Directed by Dr. Chris Buczinsky, columnist for The Arlington Post, Calumet’s B.A. in English offers the Communications Concentration for undergrads to utilize their linguistic mastery for expressing information with clarity and purpose. Mandating a 3.0 GPA or better, the 120-credit program injects courses from textual studies to audio production and applied media. Students may also intern at Chicago’s Harpo Studios, write for The Shavings, travel to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, join Creative Writing Club, and network with visiting writers like Karen Kovacik.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Calumet Hall 177
2400 New York Avenue
Whiting, IN 46394
(219) 473-4250
cbuczinsky@ccsj.edu
Goshen College
Communication Department
Affiliated with media alums like Sofia Samatar and James C. Strouse, Goshen College is a private, coeducational Mennonite school accepting 839 Maple Leafs of diverse faiths to its 135-acre Elkhart County campus in Michiana. Goshen is ranked America’s 31st safest college on Niche, 85th best liberal arts value in Kiplinger’s, and 232nd top private university by Forbes. Granted 22 IASB Awards and named the Indiana Television School of the Year since 2011, the Communication Department delivers one of the top-notch bachelor’s in communications programs in Indiana with a median alum salary of $44,300 on PayScale.
Communication Major
Maintaining a 10:1 student-faculty ratio under Chair Duane Stoltzfus, PhD, Goshen’s Communication Major delivers a Bachelor of Arts for hard-working students to “learn through doing” and sharpen the language skills critical to all public-facing careers. The 41-credit major offers the Generalist, Film Studies, or Multimedia Communication concentration after broader courses like expository writing and communication research. Undergrads could also intern with the Indianapolis Colts, produce The Correspondent, broadcast live on 91.1 FM, join the C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest, and work with FiveCore Media.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Newcomer Center 41
1700 S. Main Street
Goshen, IN 46526
(574) 535-7745
dstoltzfus@goshen.edu
Grace College & Theological Seminary
School of Arts and Sciences
Devoted to “Character, Competence, and Service,” Grace College & Theological Seminary is a private, coeducational Christian NAICU institute of the Brethren Church that’s endowed for $12.3 million to engage 1,934 undergrad Lancers upon its 21-building campus in the Warsaw suburbs. Grace is ranked America’s 51st most conservative college on Niche, the Midwest’s 87th best university by the U.S. News, and Indiana’s 15th top educator on College Choice. The School of Arts and Sciences teaches two bachelor’s in communications programs in Indiana for full-time tuition of $23,930 annually.
B.A./B.S. in Communication
Accepting $30 applications until August 15th or December 15th yearly, Grace’s B.A./B.S. in Communication program has been chaired by Dr. Patrick Loebs since 2013 to promote undergrads’ awareness of human speech and interpersonal skills. Requiring a minor like Biblical languages, the 120-credit curriculum covers the spectrum from social media and theatre to political rhetoric. Students may also pursue the Jump Start Program, take missions trips to Haiti, join the Millennial Scholar Academy, write for The Sounding Board, and add the Public Relations Specialization.
B.A./B.S. in Visual Communication Design
Satisfying Adobe certification, the B.A./B.S. in Visual Communication Design degree suits Grace undergrads who best convey their thoughts and truths through illustrated imagery. Taking a Christ-centered worldview, the 120-credit curriculum offers access to state-of-the-art graphic arts software in courses like typography, three-dimensional design, drawing, and multimedia production. Before their senior portfolio review, majors might also minor in Photography, get inspired in the Mount Memorial Art Gallery, intern at TJ21 Media Group, join Mosaic, and edit the 60-page Roots Magazine.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
200 Seminary Drive
Winona Lake, IN 46590
(574) 372-5100 ext. 6096
ploebs@grace.edu
Hanover College
School of Arts & Letters
Established in 1827 by Presbyterian Rev. John Finley Crowe, Hanover College is a private, coeducational faith-based CCCU member of the Heartland Conference that’s endowed for $149.4 million to instruct 1,133 undergrad Panthers atop its 650-acre Jefferson County campus overlooking the Ohio River. Hanover is named America’s 112th best liberal arts school by the U.S. News, 229th best private college in Forbes, and 243rd top university by Times Higher Education. Retaining 82 percent of freshmen, the School of Arts & Letters houses one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Indiana that was ranked 220th nationally on Niche.
Communication Major (B.A.)
For $35,750 yearly, Hanover’s Communication Major (B.A.) capitalizes on its 11:1 student-faculty ratio to give undergrads hands-on experiences on camera and behind the scenes for reporting the factful news that audiences depend on. Chaired by Dr. Valerie Young, the eight-term degree offers courses like American journalism or documentary production in three emphases: Rhetoric, Mass Media, and Business Communication. Students can also intern at Walt Disney World, attend the Health Communication Conference, broadcast on HCTV Channel 22, and run The Triangle newspaper.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Lynn Fine Arts Center 203
517 Ball Drive
Hanover, IN 47243
(812) 866-7330
youngv@hanover.edu
Holy Cross College
Business and Communications Department
Enrolling 529 Saints, Holy Cross College is a private, coeducational Catholic Chicagoland institution founded in Blessed Basil Moreau’s vision in 1966 that’s now endowed for $3.3 million with 150 suburban acres in St. Joseph County near South Bend. Labeled a “College of Distinction,” HCC is ranked America’s 319th most diverse college on Niche and 84th top high school counselor pick by the U.S. News survey. Chaired by Dr. Tom Burzycki, the Business and Communications Department created another of the regionally accredited bachelor’s in communications programs in Indiana with 91 percent admission for annual tuition of $28,784.
BA in Communications
Upholding HCC’s Four Pillars, the BA in Communications admits freshmen with an average SAT Reading score of 640 to bolster their rhetorical abilities for articulating ideas to various audiences through print and digital media. Featuring 33 open elective credits, the 120-credit curriculum offers four concentrations: Communication Studies, Advertising/Public Relations, Film and Media Studies, or Journalism/Broadcasting. Undergrads could also attend the Practical Lessons in Success Series, declare Honors, research in McKenna Library, go global to India, and join the Mission Team.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
54515 State Road 933 N
P.O. Box 308
Notre Dame, IN 46556
(574) 239-8377
tburzycki@hcc-nd.edu
Huntington University
Department of Communication
Belonging to the Crossroads League, Huntington University is a private, four-year Protestant teaching institute directed by President Sherilyn Emberton that’s engaging 996 undergrad Foresters in 70+ majors on its 170-acre Union Township campus along Lake Sno-Tip. HU is ranked America’s 319th best small college on Niche, 154th best liberal arts university in Forbes, and 255th top value by Money Magazine. Granted two ASPA First Place with Special Merit Awards for The Huntingtonian, the Department of Communication has another of the Christ-centered bachelor’s in communications programs in Indiana with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio.
Communication Studies Major
Reporting 94 percent job placement at The Huntington Herald-Press, WDTN Dayton, New Hope Hospice, and many others, the HU Communication Studies Major confers a Bachelor of Arts or Science to further undergrads’ speech making skills from a Christian perspective. Chaired by Dr. Michael Rowley, the flexible 33-credit major currently costs $24,694 annually for courses like nonverbal communication and media law. Students can also broadcast on Forester Radio, join the PRSSA, take classes in Arizona, volunteer with Pathfinder Services, and claim the Horizon Leadership Scholarship.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
2303 College Avenue
Huntington, IN 46750
(260) 359-4277
mrowley@huntington.edu
The Indiana Business Research Center reports that the Hoosier State’s GSP growth will hit 2.8 percent in 2017 for excellent hiring. Among the hottest jobs for communication grads are market research analyst, social media manager, content marketer, public relations director, account supervisor, web producer, multimedia specialist, and advertising manager. Join the 56,336 U.S. college students finding their voice with this marketable major by considering these bachelor’s in communications programs in Indiana.
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