Communication

Faculty:
Weiland - Chair, Bryant, Kim, Mehrens, Slavings, and Smith
Webster Hall 362 • 417-625-3159

Mission

The mission of the faculty, staff, and students in the Department of Communication is to investigate, create, and disseminate information to a global public using a variety of communication and media channels. The learning and practical experiences provided by the department support the University’s mission to prepare students for successful careers and lifelong learning.

Core Values

Communication studies can provide the basis for a productive career and a rewarding personal life.
Missouri Southern graduates in communication have found successful careers in media, government, education, public relations, and hospitals, as well as local, national and international organizations.
A major in communication offers an array of career opportunities in such fields as television, radio, journalism, social media, and corporate and public relations.
Communication curriculum acknowledges the diversity and interconnectedness among peoples, promotes an understanding of human values and prepares its students for leadership in a competitive world.
Faculty members emphasize multimedia communication exemplified by speaking and writing skills as well as technical knowledge related to mass media production and theory.
Faculty members are committed to the continual assessment of programs to ensure that students develop communication competencies sought by business, industry, government, education and the professions.

Majors

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Communication have two options:

Mass Communication offers students the necessary abilities in producing programs in digital media and/or designing and writing for journalism. This option emphasizes the technical skills, creativity and demand for understanding target audiences in mass media. Students gain hands-on experience in television, radio and print laboratories.

Public Relations allows students to develop a specialty focusing on the aspects of promoting and showcasing organizations through strategic communication.

The communication department also offers the following for education majors:

Speech Communication and Theatre is a Bachelor of Science degree in Education earned in conjunction with the School of Education.

Media outlets and organizations

KGCS-TV, digital broadcast station and cable service
KXMS: Fine Arts Radio International, a 24-hour-a-day radio station
The Chart, a student-operated newspaper published weekly
Southern Broadcasters Club
Public Relations Student Society of America
Society of Professional Journalists
Lambda Pi Eta: Official Honor Society at National Communication Association

Applied Learning

Internships, study abroad seminars, and courses emphasizing practical experience allow students to gain professional skills in the fields they may wish to pursue. Students are required to complete a professional portfolio as the capstone component of their degree from the communication department.

General Education Requirements for all students of the University include COMM 100 Oral Communication.

Want to find out more about student-operated media opportunities at MSSU?
KGCS (TV) • mssu.edu/kgcs
The Chart • thechartonline.com

KXMS (Radio) • mssu.edu/kxms

For additional information contact:
Maureen Wieland, Department Chair
Webster Hall 362 • 417-625-3139
wieland-m@mssu.edu

Programs

Major Programs (Undergraduate)

Certificates (Undergraduate)

Minors (Undergraduate)

Courses

Communication