Let’s splash back into the “Water Wonderland” to conclude our listing of bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan with the last 10 HLC-accredited universities. According to Forbes, this two-peninsula state bordering Canada has the 17th best quality of life. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts job growth of 1.5 percent will create great opportunity in Michigan’s workforce of 4.27 million.
Communications majors have in-demand interpersonal awareness to compete at top Michigan employers, such as Federal Mogul, Faurecia, DTE Energy, Magna International, Sparrow Health, Nexteer Automotive, Jackson National Life, and HNTB. A wide array of media outlets, including Grand Rapids Press, WBSF-TV 46, Bluepic Studios, WWCK 1570AM, Macomb Now magazine, and Bushell Media, also hire communication grads.
Improving human contact skills at these undergraduate communications colleges in Michigan (S-Z) can help make good first interview impressions.
First, see:
- Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Michigan (A-G)
- Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in Michigan (H-R)
Saginaw Valley State University
College of Arts and Behavioral Sciences
Known for winning the 2017 Michigan Intercollegiate Speech League Competition, Saginaw Valley State University is a public, coed GLIAC North Division member founded in 1963 that’s generating a $54.5 million economic impact by training 9,165 Cardinals in Kochville Township. SVSU was declared America’s 104th best campus on Niche, 121st best college by the Social Mobility Index, and 198th top research institution in Washington Monthly. The College of Arts and Behavioral Sciences was ranked 229th nationally on College Factual for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Chaired by Dr. David Schneider, SVSU’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication enhances students’ human interaction skills for the effective exchange of clear messages. Offering the optional Teacher Certification Path, the 42-credit major bills $9,055 in-state and $21,286 out-of-state yearly for courses like Forensics Debate, Film Criticism, and Performance Studies. Majors might also publish Valley Vanguard, intern at WNEM-TV 5, join the Communication Guild, receive the Roberts Fellowship, study abroad in Taiwan, declare Honors, and tutor in the Writing Center.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Brown Hall 308
7400 Bay Road
University Center, MI 48710
(989) 964-4398
dschneid@svsu.edu
Schoolcraft College
Arts, Humanities, & Communications Department
Named for the geographer Henry Rowe Schoolcraft in 1963, Schoolcraft College is a public, coed NJCAA junior institution that’s endowed for $10.6 million to educate 11,687 Ocelots in seven-week and 15-week formats at its 139-acre Metro Detroit campus near Madonna University. Schoolcraft was deemed America’s 54th safest school by Niche, sixth best buy on College Values, and 50th top community college on TheBestSchools.org. The Arts, Humanities, & Communications Department reported a median mid-career salary of $58,000 on PayScale for its AA/AAS options that transfer into bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan.
Communication Arts Major
Partnered with the Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts, Schoolcraft’s Communication Arts Major led by Prof. JuJuan Taylor introduces the speech and writing skills to succeed in mass media settings. The 62-credit AA transfer track presently costs $115 in-state and $245 out-of-state per credit for introductory courses like English Composition, Discussion, and Oral Interpretation of Literature. Undergrads could also add the Video Graphics Certificate, write for The Connection, join Broadcast Club, pledge Phi Theta Kappa, and intern at WCAR 1090AM.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Liberal Arts Center 562
18600 Haggerty Road
Livonia, MI 48152
(734) 462-4426
answers@schoolcraft.edu
Siena Heights University
Division of Humanities
Home to the Creative Stages Summer Arts Camp, Siena Heights University is a private, purposeful Catholic WHAC member formed in 1919 that’s endowed for $10.9 million to attract 2,700 Saints from 21 countries to its 16-building Irish Hills campus and nine satellites. SHU was chosen America’s 233rd most conservative college on Niche, 113th best service institution in Washington Monthly, and 124th best public relations school by College Factual. The NAIA “Champion of Character” houses another of the faith-based bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan within the Division of Humanities for 72 percent retention.
Communications Studies B.A.
Presently priced at $26,558 yearly, Siena Heights’ Communication Studies B.A. upholds Dominican traditions while examining the expressive forms of culture to strengthen interpersonal relations. The 128-credit curriculum organized by Dr. Callie Clare in Adrian grants four specializations: Professional Writing, Religious Communication, Digital Media, or Business Communication. Students may also minor in Spanish, edit Spectra, become McNair Scholars, exchange to Leeds Trinity University, perform in Francoeur Theater, volunteer at Share the Warmth, and join the Debate Team.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Sacred Heart Hall 307A
1247 E. Siena Heights Drive
Adrian, MI 49221
(517) 264-7633
cclare@sienaheights.edu
Spring Arbor University
School of Arts and Sciences
Publishing The Oak Tree Review, Spring Arbor University is a private, coed Methodist NAIA member of the Crossroads League opened in 1873 that’s endowed for $13.7 million to enroll 3,341 Cougars of 22 denominations at its 100-acre campus and the Michindoh Conference Center. SAU was crowned America’s 72nd best college dorms on Niche, the Midwest’s 64th top university by the U.S. News & World Report, and Michigan’s second-best value in The Economist. The School of Arts and Sciences features 71 percent admission for one of the most artistic bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan costing $28,210 annually.
Visual Communication Program
Accepting $30 applications until August 1st, Arbor’s Visual Communication Program admits B.A. majors with an average ACT score of 23 to learn how imagery can effectively convey information. The 67-credit, Christ-centered major overseen by Dr. Paul Patton requires a MacBook Pro to create original artwork in courses like Graphic Design, Photography, and Advanced Advertising. Other opportunities include presenting iatGanton Gallery, deejaying on WSAE 106.9FM, attending the Lumenocular Video Festival, editing The Pulse, and joining the G.K. Chesteron Society.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Sayre-Decan Hall 224
106 E. Main Street
Spring Arbor, MI 49283
(517) 750-6714
ppatton@arbor.edu
University of Detroit Mercy
College of Liberal Arts & Education
Hosting the EmpowerHer Summit each June, the University of Detroit Mercy is a private, Jesuit AJCU member of the Horizons League consolidated in 1990 that’s endowed for $51.6 million to serve 5,113 Titans at the 91-acre campus near Palmer Woods. UDM was proclaimed America’s 142nd best free application school on Niche, 188th top university in Times Higher Education, and 384th best value by Money. The College of Liberal Arts & Education awards another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan with 89 percent six-month career placement at Discovery Channel, Ford Motors, Crain Communications, Automotive News, and more.
Major – Communication Studies
Directed by Dr. Vivian Dicks, Mercy’s Major – Communication Studies specializes the Bachelor of Arts to develop indispensable oral and written skills for expressing one’s thoughts across diverse platforms. The 36-credit, flexible major currently bills $28,000 yearly for five tracks: Digital Media, PR/Advertising, Multimedia Journalism, Rhetoric/Communication, or Sports Journalism. Undergrads can also produce UDM Radio shows, contribute to Varsity News, join the SPJ Chapter, summer in Volterra, compete in Model United Nations, and earn the Spiritus Scholarship.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Briggs Hall 121
4001 W. McNichols Road
Detroit, MI 48221
(313) 993-3286
dicksvi@udmercy.edu
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
Highly regarded for its Global Media Studies Initiative, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a public, space-grant AAU research constituent affiliated with 24 Nobel laureates that’s grown a $9.1 billion budget since 1817 to enroll 28,983 undergrad Wolverines at the 500-building “Tree Town” campus. UMich was judged America’s sixth best recruiting college in The Wall Street Journal, 10th most LGBTQ-friendly school on College Choice, and 12th top value by The Economist. The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts has an average net price of $16,107 yearly for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan ranked 18th nationally on Niche.
Communication Studies (Major)
Exclusively available to sophomores or juniors with 2.0 GPAs or better, UMich’s Communication Studies (Major) is headed by Dr. Scott Campbell at a 15:1 student-professor ratio to explain expressive human behaviors. The 34-credit, upper-division major ends with a senior thesis after intensive courses like Media Processes, Professional Writing, and Public Opinion. Students might attend the Media Career Forum, work on WOLV-TV, publish The Michigan Daily, intern at Campbell Ewald, venture to Oxford, engage in Howard R. Marsh Lectures, and join MACS too.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
North Quad 5438
105 S. State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
(734) 764-0420
comm.studies.dept@umich.edu
University of Michigan-Dearborn
College of Arts, Sciences & Letters
Registering 145+ clubs, including a PRSSA Chapter, the University of Michigan-Dearborn is the youngest public, doctoral-level regional branch established in 1959 that’s endowed for $30.3 million to welcome 9,339 Wolverines with a median 3.6 GPA to its 70 acres on Henry Ford’s Estate. UM-Dearborn was decreed America’s 406th top university in Times Higher Education, 348th best faculty on Niche, and 139th best institution by Washington Monthly. The 2015 Engaged Campus of the Year keeps one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan with 82 percent retention in the College of Arts, Sciences & Letters.
Public Communication and Culture Studies Major
Currently charging $463 in-state or $953 out-of-state per credit, Dearborn’s Public Communication and Culture Studies (PCCS) Major starts with Speech 101 to inform students of good linguistic practices globally. The 46-credit major chaired by Dr. Jorge Gonzalez del Pozo integrates topics like Persuasion Theory, Media Analysis, and Organizational Communication before the senior thesis. Undergrads could also practice in the Kochoff Language Lab, access the Media Studio, add the Public Relations Certificate, intern at WDIV Local 4, and visit Norway.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
CASL Building 3016
4901 Evergreen Road
Dearborn, MI 48128
(313) 593-4778
jorgegdp@umich.edu
University of Michigan-Flint
College of Arts & Sciences
Indexing 25,000 full-text journals in Frances Willson Thompson Library, the University of Michigan-Flint is a public, regional ACHA branch launched in 1956 that’s budgeting $141 million to inspire 7,836 Wolverines at the 73-acre riverfront campus near the Dryden Building. UM-Flint was designated America’s 46th best university in Bloomberg BusinessWeek, 302nd best dorms on Niche, and 359th top institution overall by Washington Monthly. The College of Arts & Sciences currently costs $5,169 to $10,440 per semester for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan that placed 366th nationally on College Factual.
Communication General Program (BA)
Boasting 94 percent alumni satisfaction, Flint’s Communication General Program (BA) erects a liberal arts base for mastering how to accurately articulate information to diverse audiences. The 120-credit degree directed by Dr. Marcus Paroske, a two-time National Top Speaker Award recipient, grants three emphases in Media Studies, Speech Communication, and Organizational Communication. Undergrads may also intern at Proctor & Gamble, publish The Michigan Times, attend the Catalyst Leadership Retreat, join Game Design Club, and travel to Peru.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
William S. White Building 4116
303 E. Kearsley Street
Flint, MI 48502
(810) 766-6679
paroske@umflint.edu
Wayne State University
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Operating the STEPSS Program for stroke survivors since 2013, Wayne State University is Detroit’s largest public, land-grant college and seventh-largest employer that’s gifting $338 million in yearly aid to 27,300 Warriors in 340+ degrees at the 203-acre Cass Corridor campus. WSU was named America’s 426th best college ROI on PayScale, 129th top public university by the U.S. News & World Report, and 273rd best education location on Niche. College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students currently pay $9,533 in-state or $20,285 out-of-state annually for one of the clinical-based bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communication Sciences and Disorders
At the Midtown Detroit or Macomb location, Wayne’s Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communication Sciences and Disorders offers a pre-professional introduction to the clinical methods used to rehab patients with various language disorders. The 120-credit, ASHA-aligned curriculum overseen by Dr. Margaret Greenwald mixes courses like Speech Science, Neurology, Phonetics, and Abnormal Psychology. Majors may also join the WSSLHA, research in the Stuttering Lab, job shadow at Henry Ford Health, attend the George Kopp Lecture, and serve abroad in Bolivia.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Rackham Building 207
60 Farnsworth Street
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 577-3339
csd@wayne.edu
Western Michigan University
School of Communication
Collaborating with the University of Kentucky for the Social Robotics Lab, Western Michigan University is a public, coed APLU member and 2015 Best of GRITS Award winner founded 115 years ago that’s endowed for $386 million to enroll 23,353 Broncos at the 171-building Kalamazoo campus. WMU was picked America’s 92nd best athletics college on Niche, 131st best arts school by the U.S. News & World Report, and 84th top university on the Social Mobility Index. The School of Communication chaired by Dr. Leigh Ford has 800+ students with an average SAT score of 1140 earning one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan.
Communication Studies Major BA
Redesigned in Fall 2017, Western Michigan’s Communication Studies Major BA currently bills $11,943 in-state and $14,699 out-of-state annually for undergrads to foster socially conscious dialogue for civic engagement. The 36-credit major utilizes cutting-edge Clifford Center resources in tracks for Film & Video, Interpersonal Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Organizational Communication, and Telecommunication. Students may earn the Roslyn Abrams Scholarship, intern at Whirlpool, write for The Herald, broadcast on WMUK 102.1FM, and join Mock Trial too.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Sprau Tower 3rd Floor
1903 W. Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 387-3130
leigh.ford@wmich.edu
The National Association of Colleges and Employers found that the Class of 2016 had a mean starting salary of $50,359. PayScale argues that a BA/BS in Communications can reap significantly better income though. Some sample averages were $107,000 for executive producers, $104,000 for social media directors, $99,900 for public relations directors, and $94,400 for marketing managers.
This concludes our listing of bachelor’s in communications programs in Michigan.
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