Several bachelor’s in communications programs in Maryland are available to project the voices of students exercising their right to speech in the “Free State.” Ranked the United States’ 34th best economy by Forbes with a $364 billion GSP, Maryland has the third-highest college graduation rate at 39 percent. Communications majors are welcomed into a bustling media market with top outlets like the Baltimore Sun, WBAL-TV, Education Week, WPOC 93.1 FM, and Chesapeake Bay Magazine. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that Maryland has 30,420 media and entertainment jobs providing a mean annual wage of $59,460.
Let’s begin outlining the first nine communication schools in Maryland (A-M) for articulate undergraduates pulled into the media spotlight.
Bowie State University
College of Arts & Sciences
Enrolling 6,148 Bulldogs from 21 countries, Bowie State University is a public, coeducational TMCF member founded in 1865 that’s endowed for $22.9 million with a 355-acre Prince George’s County campus on the MARC Train line. Bowie is declared America’s 20th best university for African Americans by Essence, 22nd top HBCU on the U.S. News & World Report, and 172nd most service-oriented institution in Washington Monthly. The College of Arts & Sciences currently bills $8,064 in-state and $18,653 out-of-state yearly for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Maryland that ranks 30th nationally on College Factual.
Undergraduate Communications Program
Chaired by Dr. Otis Thomas, Bowie’s Undergraduate Communications Program confers a B.A. for nearly 500 students of diverse cultural backgrounds to enhance their speaking and writing skills for media success in the Washington-Baltimore corridor. The 12-course major offers four custom concentrations: Broadcast Journalism, Emerging Media, Print Journalism, and Public Relations. Majors might also join Upsilon Sigma, publish The Spectrum, broadcast on BSU-TV Channel 74, intern via the APR Group Student Firm, and study abroad in China.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
MLK Jr. Center Room 0264
14000 Jericho Park Rd.
Bowie, MD 20715
(301) 860-3711
othomas@bowiestate.edu
Frostburg State University
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Budgeting $120.26 million annually, Frostburg State University is a public, civic-minded teaching “College of Distinction” founded in 1898 that’s providing a world of experiences to 4,884 undergrad Bobcats on its 260-acre Georges Creek Valley campus near Cumberland. Frostburg is recognized for America’s 158th best graduation rate in Washington Monthly, 223rd best Greek life on Niche, and 147th lowest student debt by LendEDU. Home to NPR-affiliate 91.9 WFWM, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences has two bachelor’s in communications programs in Maryland that have placed alumni at National Geographic, NBCUniversal, Sirius, the Washington Redskins, and more.
Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies
Presently priced at $6,468 in-state and $19,816 out-of-state yearly, Frostburg’s Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies promotes students’ ease of dialogue for ensuring ample workplace collaboration toward unified goals. The 42-credit major mandates a 2.0 GPA in three specialized tracks: Conflict Communication, Leadership Communication, or Public Communication & Rhetorical Studies. Undergrads could also minor in Film Studies, pledge Lambda Pi Eta, receive the Ann L. Williams Scholarship, and take Washington DC field trips.
Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication
Featuring class sizes of 15-25, the Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication is directed by Dr. Sheri Whalen with Frostburg’s experienced faculty to transform undergrads into tech-savvy media professionals for shaping truthful public information. The 45-credit major offers nine emphasis areas, including Radio Industry, Audio/Video Production, Multimedia Design, Events Planning, and Web Management. Students may write for The Bottom Line, run FSU-TV3, intern with NASA, join the Social Marketing Team, and attend the Fall Leadership Retreat too.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Gira Center Room 348-M
101 Braddock Rd.
Frostburg, MD 21532
(301) 687-4134
sawhalen@frostburg.edu
Goucher College
Communication & Media Studies Department
Attracting White House correspondent April Ryan for Commencement 2018, Goucher College is a private, nonsectarian liberal arts school of the Landmark Conference that’s endowed for $201.5 million to teach 1,480 undergrad Gophers “Grace and Truth” at the 287-acre bucolic campus near Towson. Goucher is declared America’s 86th best value by the U.S. News & World Report, 131st best-loved college in Forbes, and 279th top institution on Times Higher Education. Requiring study abroad endeavors, the Communication & Media Studies Department was ranked 238th nationally on Niche for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Maryland.
Communication & Media Studies Major
Boasting a 10:1 student-faculty ratio under Dr. Daniel Marcus, Goucher’s Communication & Media Studies Major grants a Bachelor of Arts to make students language proficient for ethical mass media practice. The 42-credit major costing $42,600 annually culminates with an independent study project after engaging courses like World Cinema, Critical Analysis of Journalism, and History of Photography. Undergrads can also publish The Quindecim, intern at Harrison Edwards Public Relations, earn Felarca Awards, join the LGBT Media Exchange, and declare Honors.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Van Meter Hall Room G57
1021 Dulaney Valley Rd.
Baltimore, MD 21204
(410) 337-6224
dmarcus@goucher.edu
Hood College
Department of English and Communication Arts
Established by Dr. Joseph Henry Apple in 1893, Hood College is a private, Protestant Christian liberal arts school of the Middle Atlantic Conference that’s endowed for $70 million to instruct 1,174 undergrad Blazers from 28 states in 33 majors at its 50-acre Frederick campus. Hood is applauded for America’s 169th most satisfied alums in Forbes, 103rd highest Peace Corps participation by Washington Monthly, and ninth most secure city on Sperling’s Best Places. Headed by Dr. Mark Sandona, the Department of English and Communication Arts awards two bachelor’s in communications programs in Maryland for $19,445 per semester with 78 percent retention.
Communication Arts Major, B.A.
Starting with the First-Year Read on complimentary iPads, Hood’s Communication Arts Major B.A. lays the English language foundation for undertaking careers in converging media. Offering an optional Digital Media concentration, the 42-credit major spans courses from Feature Writing to Communications Law with a 10:1 student-professor ratio. Undergrads could also practice in the state-of-the-art Television Studio, study abroad in Australia, write for The Blue and Grey, join the PRSSA Chapter, and network with the Nora Roberts Writer-in-Residence.
Integrated Marketing Communication Major, B.A.
Admitting 71 percent of applicants with four college-prep credits of English, the Integrated Marketing Communication Major B.A. lets Hood undergrads focus media skills for developing corporations’ brand identity with target audiences. The 48-credit major overlaps several BBA courses like Principles of Management, Consumer Behavior, and Organizational Theory. Students might minor in Public Relations, write the Honors Paper, pledge Omicron Delta Epsilon, intern at Norton Publishing, and receive the Myrtle Annis Scott Scholarship too.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Rosenstock Hall Room 204
401 Rosemont Ave.
Frederick, MD 21701
(301) 696-3747
sandona@hood.edu
Kaplan University-Hagerstown
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Chosen for the 2002 Higher Education Campus of the Year, Kaplan University-Hagerstown is a private, for-profit learning branch owned by Education Corporation of America since 2015 that’s occupying a 27,000-square-foot facility with Kiracofe-Lewis Learning Commons in Forbes’ 56th best city for job growth. Kaplan is congratulated for America’s 199th best campus safety on Niche, 196th top online undergraduate majors by the U.S. News & World Report, and 59th best public service programs on College Factual. The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences charges $371 per credit for one of the face-to-face or online bachelor’s in communications programs in Maryland.
Bachelor of Science in Communication
Starting bimonthly, Kaplan’s Bachelor of Science in Communication is expected to take 200 weeks or 3.8 years for undergrads to sharpen the interpersonal skills for apt messaging across diverse multimedia. Chaired by Dr. Sara Sander, the 180-unit curriculum progresses toward the capstone project with humanities courses like Group Dynamics, Conflict Resolution, and Persuasion. Students could also add the Microsoft Operating Systems Certificate, pursue the Accelerated Master’s, intern at Herald-Mail Media, join the Law Society, and earn Academic Tuition Grants.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
18618 Crestwood Dr.
Hagerstown, MD 21742
(301) 766-3600
infoku@kaplan.edu
Loyola University Maryland
College of Arts & Sciences
Boasting a 98 percent Graduation Success Rate (GSR), Loyola University Maryland is the ninth-oldest private, Jesuit liberal arts school founded by John Early in 1852 that’s teaching 4,068 undergrad Greyhounds at its 99-acre, Gothic-style “Charm City” campus. LUM was crowned America’s 109th best private university in Forbes, 18th most politically active school on The Princeton Review, and 95th best college by Financial Times. Featuring the country’s first student-run Apprentice House Publishing, the College of Arts & Sciences was ranked 133rd nationally on Niche for its bachelor’s in communications programs in Maryland and M.A. in Emerging Media.
Communication Major (B.A.)
Coordinated by Dr. Sara Magee, Loyola’s Communication Major (B.A.) utilizes cutting-edge media labs to give undergraduates firsthand awareness of broadcasting and publishing processes. The 120-credit interdisciplinary program offers three specializations: Digital Media, Journalism, or Advertising and Public Relations. Students may also contribute to The Greyhound, run WLOY 1620AM, pledge Lambda Pi Eta, intern with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, venture abroad to Belgium, join the Debate Team, and pursue the Health Communication Certificate.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
College Center Room M0141
4501 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21210
(410) 617-2223
communication@loyola.edu
McDaniel College
Communication & Cinema Department
Included in the 40 “Colleges That Change Lives,” McDaniel College is a private, nonsectarian civic-forward school of the Centennial Conference that’s grown a $109.5 million endowment since 1867 to engage 1,629 undergrad Green Terror across 70 majors at its 64-hectare Carroll County campus. McDaniel was designated America’s 134th best liberal arts college on the U.S. News & World Report, 206th best value in Money Magazine, and 455th top university by Times Higher Education. Also ranked 251st nationally on Niche, the Communication & Cinema Department presents another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Maryland with 95 percent job placement.
Communication Major
Currently costing $41,800 per year, McDaniel’s Communication Major leads to a Bachelor of Arts with 80 percent retention for students seeking highly prized interpersonal skills for informing, inspiring, and entertaining others. The 45-credit major includes a writing intensive project between self-chosen courses like Television Production, European Film Art, and Media Analysis. Undergrads could visit the Budapest campus, enter the Honors Program, intern at 20th Century Fox, write for Contrast, pursue the ARCH Leadership Certificate, and join Communication Coalition too.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Lewis Recitation Hall, 3rd Floor
2 College Hill
Westminster, MD 21157
(410) 857-2450
jslade@mcdaniel.edu
Morgan State University
School of Global Journalism & Communication
Linked to 27,929 LinkedIn alumni, including media greats Earl Graves, William Rhoden, and Mo’Nique, Morgan State University is a public, metropolitan TMCF member of the Mid-Eastern Conference founded in 1867 that’s endowed for $29.4 million with 143 acres in Baltimore. Morgan State is proclaimed America’s 16th top HBCU on the U.S. News & World Report, 192nd best value by WalletHub, and 179th best institution in Washington Monthly. Home to the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary recipient, the School of Global Journalism & Communication is ranked 114th nationally by College Factual for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Maryland with 60 percent admission.
Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communication
Directed by Dr. Janice Smith of the Greater Washington Urban League, Morgan State’s Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communication trains undergrads for conveying information accurately to diverse audiences on 21st-century media platforms. The 120-credit curriculum sequence presently bills $7,767 in-state or $17,833 out-of-state annually for courses like Interviewing, Free Speech, and Editorial Reporting. Majors may also earn the Vernon Jarrett Medal, write for The Spokesman, join the NABJ Chapter, and take the M.O.L.D. Leadership Program.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
SGJC Center Room 214
1700 E. Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, MD 21251
(443) 885-3648
janice.smith@morgan.edu
Mount St. Mary’s University
College of Liberal Arts
Accepting $45 applications year-round, Mount St. Mary’s University is a private, non-profit Catholic ACCU member of the Northeast Conference that’s grown since 1808 to instruct 1,741 undergrad Mountaineers and employ 120 full-time faculty at its 1,400-acre Emmitsburg campus near the Seton Shrine. MSMU was judged America’s 121st most service-oriented institution in Washington Monthly, 234th best college dorms on Niche, and 95th best value by The Economist. Known for its Palmieri Center, the College of Liberal Arts houses another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Maryland with 77 percent retention each 15-week semester.
Communication Major
Grounded in the Veritas Program, Mount St. Mary’s Communication Major develops moral virtues and disciplinary practice skills for B.A. students embracing media market vocations. Presently priced at $39,975 per year, the 36-credit major chaired by Dr. Carl Glover offers five concentrations for Catholic Media, Human Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, and Creative Writing. Other opportunities include broadcasting on WMTB Radio, editing The Mountain Echo, joining Discourse Society, traveling to Dublin, and attending the Ducharme Lecture Series.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Knott Center Room 212
16300 Old Emmitsburg Rd.
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
(301) 447-5367
glover@msmary.edu
According to CNN Money, studying communications would qualify students for several of America’s 100 best jobs, including marketing director, customer relations manager, brand manager, social media manager, content strategist, and user experience designer. The Hollywood Reporter showed the U.S. media market grew to $632 billion in 2017, so polishing one’s résumé for new opportunities within bachelor’s in communications programs in Maryland is smart.
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