If you like people; enjoy talking, reading and writing; can multitask and work your best under pressure, then consider a career in the mass media. This versatile degree at LHU gives you all the hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge you’ll need to be successful at a seemingly endless list of job opportunities... editor, speech writer, TV anchor, public relations consultant, travel writer, sports broadcaster, advertising designer and more. You
will also gain a strong background in theoretical and critical literature necessary to continue
to graduate school.

All majors regardless of emphasis are required to take core courses such as News Writing, News Reporting, Introduction to Mass Communication, Cultural Studies in Mass Communication, and Law and Ethics. Then you may choose one or more emphasis - it is even possible to attain all three.

Print Emphasis
This emphasis prepares you for a career in newspapers and magazines such as a reporter, editor, publisher, speech writer and other fields where concise, factual writing is required. You will hone your news judgment ability and learn various writing styles such as feature
writing, sports writing, magazine and opinion writing. You will also learn copy editing and media design skills.

Broadcast Emphasis
This emphasis prepares you for a broadcast career in television and radio. The courses within the program are designed to give you knowledge of technology and software application; production skills; writing, recording and editing experience; and on-air performance skills. You will be prepared to be a TV producer, radio DJ, sportscaster, reporter, production specialist and more.

Advertising & Public Relations Emphasis
This emphasis prepares you for a career in advertising and public relations such as an advertising sales consultant, advertising designer, graphic specialist, public relations practitioner or writer for an advertising agency or public relations firm. You will learn how to
develop ad and PR campaigns. This includes creative writing and design skills and market research methods.

What our graduates say...

Andrew Shearer ‘85
President & CEO, Royal Broadcasting, Inc.

Lock Haven’s “electronic sandbox” was truly an opportunity to develop skills that are applicable in today’s broadcast landscape.The curriculum led right back into the campus
newspaper, television station, and radio station, where I got the chance to try news, sports, sales, programming, management, on air, and even events planning. The opportunity was there… it was simply up to me to take it.

To me, Lock Haven has always been a step ahead in connecting the in-class work with the in-the-field work. Bigger schools may have more “stuff,” but your opportunity for hands-on may be limited due to competition. Smaller schools may not be able to offer the full array of opportunity available at “The Haven.” What is needed in today’s competitive media environment is the opportunity to try, and I got that at LHU.

Bryan Janke ‘04
WPVI-TV/DT - Action News, Philadelphia
Chyron Super User/Operator

I pursued many different avenues at LHU to help me narrow down my career choices. My professors and club advisors were there to give me pointers and help me turn what started as something I did for fun, into a career. My classes at LHU gave me a strong foundation in writing, and working in the TV studio gave me a well rounded knowledge of what really happens behind the scenes. This “jack of all trades” style of learning paid off when I
was able to fill multiple roles in my first job out of school. I have worked with people who have attended much more expensive schools, and they are still working their way up the News ladder, moving from one small market to another. Out of school, I started at a small cable station and after less than 2 years was able to land a job at the top station in the nation’s
4th largest market. I attribute much of my success to all that I learned at LHU.

Daniella “Dani” DeLuca ‘06
Communications Specialist, New Mexico State University

I have used virtually every piece of information I picked up at Lock Haven University to get where I am now. The Communication Media professors were nurturing and knowledgeable. I submerged myself in nearly every club or organization having to do with writing, broadcast or journalism. My internship in Washington, D.C. and part time hours at the local newspaper and in the university public relations office gave me the hands-on experience necessary to start on my communications career path. If you have a passion for what you do, you will
go very far. My passion for communications began at Lock Haven.

Erin English Palermo ‘99
Producer, abc27 News Daybreak, Harrisburg, PA

A producer must be able to work in a high-stress environment, be organized, and have good attention to detail and excellent communication skills. What I love about my job is knowing that viewers counton ME to tell them what they need to know before they head off to work or school. I also love the fastpaced environment and writing last-minute breaking news under deadline pressure.

I chose LHU because of the hands-on opportunities and the range of classes the Communication Media program offers. Working in the campus TV studio helped me prepare for my career in TV news because I got to experience first-hand what goes into putting together a show and getting it on the air.

Jeff Fleishman ‘81
Cairo Bureau Chief, Los Angeles Times

My coverage territory is the Middle East. My day depends upon the story: a profile of a Nile fisherman; children living through the war in Iraq; terrorist cells in North Africa; human rights struggles in Saudi Arabia; Palestinians fleeing across the Gaza border into Egypt; the black market sale in human organs. I enjoy traveling to different lands and cultures. Journalists, especially foreign correspondents, are storytellers. It’s about twining together details, places, voices, people into snapshots and narratives of life.

LHU taught me to think sharper, analyze better, and to write with perspective, voice and authority. I learned about the wisdom of the First Amendment, the ideals of Jeffersonian democracy and the importance of a free press. But most valuable was how to look at news
from all perspectives so stories would have resonance and impact.

Jennifer Keaton ‘98
Public Relations Manager
Republican Caucus of the Pa. House of Representatives

The Communication Media program provided me with the strong foundation I needed to become successful. It was there that I wrote my first stories, conducted my first interviews, covered my first local government meetings, dealt with my first criticism from readers in the local community and reacted quickly when my first sources fell through and Plan B was needed – fast. Someone interested in journalism need look no further than LHU to find a well-rounded and diverse media program. The best training for a future journalist is to write, and that is strongly emphasized at LHU. When I switched careers from a print reporter to a public relations professional in 2002, I was one step ahead of other applicants because of my diversified background.

Jennifer Rickard ‘97
Editor, The Daily Times, Salisbury, Md.

Because the news is constantly changing, every day is a new challenge: how can I
present stories and information in the best possible way for readers? There’s a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. I like the fast-paced nature of the job, working on deadline each night, as well as the fact that tasks are wrapped up daily and the next day begins with something new. LHU prepared me very well for my career. The courses taught me everything from the basics – writing a lead – to the more advanced aspects of story writing and editing, including communication law. I was able to learn the skills I needed for a successful career in journalism. The opportunities for hands-on experience—in my case, at the Eagle Eye—were great. I learned to use the newspaper layout software that I still work with today and generated clips that helped me land my job.

Karlo Ruiz ‘00
Public Information Officer
State of Connecticut Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission

A lot of other institutions put PR and Advertising into separate majors. That forces you to choose a single dedicated path rather than learning all of these things. LHU’s program allowed me to delve into these areas and more, making me an asset to all of my employers. I’m able to develop both advertising and public relations strategies. I can write copy for collateral materials and effective press releases. The Communication Media program broadens your field of knowledge, making you more likely to get a job regardless of business conditions.

LHU offers a complete communications program but at a scale that allows for personal interaction between students and professors who are willing to put in the time if you’re
willing to put in the effort. You’ll find bigger programs but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better one.

Sarah Wojcik ‘08
Staff Reporter, Easton Express-Times

I absolutely love my job’s variety. Writing feature stories about individuals overcoming hardships or controversial issues in the community never bores me and luckily, there are always plenty of both. A career in journalism means you will always be learning and discovering new perspectives about the world around you.

Without a doubt, LHU’s wide-range of programs, classes and extra activities have prepared me to succeed in our multi-media world. The Communication Media program is full of open doors. The intimacy of the program is part of its strength. There is no limit to the different areas where students can try their luck, talent and passion.

Tanya Henderson ‘88
Advertising & Membership Relations Director
Suburban Newspapers of America (SNA)

My major was Journalism and I love to write so that helps me every day in my position.
I also was the advertising manager for the Eagle Eye and was able to utilize my creative
skills and learn the newspaper business along with my internship at the local newspaper office. I really enjoyed my time at LHU. The classes were very relevant and I moved directly into the newspaper business, starting the day after graduation. I never changed careers…
I love what I do!

Take a good look at Lock Haven University… it’s a great place to learn, make longlasting friendships and envision your bright future.

B.A. Communication Studies

The Communication Studies Program is designed to help you develop skills and qualities highly sought by employers. These include writing, listening, conflict management, and oral communication. Because the program prepares you for a multitude of careers, it is excellent if you don’t want to limit your job options after graduation. The flexibility of the degree will allow you to compete successfully in an everchanging marketplace, By tailoring the major to your
interests, you can also pursue a diverse number of graduate programs. Our faculty’s overall goal is to prepare you to communicate competently and professionally.

The Program

Communication Studies will teach you to become a more confident and effective oral communicator by learning message formation and analysis, critical thinking, and control
over your verbal and nonverbal communication. The major is designed to give you flexibility
in focusing on areas of the program that will prepare you for your desired career or
graduate degree.

You will gain experience in performing for audiences for a variety of oral communication purposes: to inform, to persuade, to entertain, and to debate. Classes such as Argumentation and Debate, Persuasion and Oral Interpretation develop these skills.

Courses and experiences outside the classroom provide you with the skills necessary to enter a career as a communication professional and to succeed and grow in it. Classes in Business Communication, Public Relations, Listening and Conflict, and Organizational Communication teach you to observe, analyze, and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of communication across different environments.

Career options include human resources, management, sales, public relations, motivational
speaking, training, consulting, mediation specialist, ministry, and higher education administration. Graduate school options include business administration, law, human resources, public relations and communication management and others.

Clubs

You may choose to join the LHU Communication Club which offers you opportunities that may include performing oral interpretation at university events, helping with Earth Day activities, and assisting students in general education classes.

By joining the Rho Delta Chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the honors society of the National Communication Association, you can pursue leadership opportunities at the regional and national level.

You are also welcome to join the nation’s oldest national collegiate forensics organization,
Pi Kappa Phi, which conducts forensic events such as debate or poetry readings, on and
off campus.

Real World Experience

Many Communication Studies courses send you outside of the classroom to demonstrate what you have learned... analyzing and evaluating the communication at the Post Office, developing a public relations campaign for the YMCA, or organizing a volleyball tournament
for charity, for example.

Internships & International Learning

Internships are required for our majors to gain hands-on experience in real-life settings. Recent internships have included the Center for Psychology and Counseling, Switchback Public Relations and Marketing, the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, and Hershey
Foods. You are also encouraged to study abroad for a semester at one of more than twenty partner schools in countries such as Morocco, Mexico, and Russia.

Career Opportunities

Recent graduates are employed at Centre Daily Times, Millbrook Playhouse, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J. and Blue Cross of Northeast Pa., to name a few. Our alumni are also working in higher education administration, corporate training, and the ministry. Others have pursued graduate degrees in human resources, theology, counseling, and communication studies at
schools like Drexel, Kent State, and the Princeton Theological Seminary.

For more information, contact:
Karen Kline, Chair
Department of Communication
(570) 484-2376
kkline@lhup.edu