Why UMKC?
Students can take advantage of the University’s strong internship program with a variety of organizations in the city’s thriving media industry, working in a state-of-the-art television or radio studio, at a public relations or advertising firm, in a corporate communications office or with a professional
sports team.
Fast Facts
- The department has approximately 350 undergraduate students; the average junior- or senior-level class size is 20-25 students.
- Students can take advantage of fully equipped film, video and radio production facilities and editing suites.
- The nationally syndicated literary radio program New Letters on the Air is produced in association with the communications department, and broadcast
on KCUR, a service of UMKC. - Communications majors are eligible for a number of field-specific scholarships and grants, and can participate in an annual publicspeaking competition.
Student Organizations
- Mercury Association: UMKC Student Communicators provides information about educational and career opportunities within the communications industry.
- Student Film League offers screenings and discussion for those interested in film.
- UMKC founded and maintains strong partnerships with DEBATE-Kansas City (Developing Empowerment By Argument, Thought and Engagement), a national award-winning debate program.
Real World Experience
Careers
Career options for communication studies students include:
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Salaries
Average salary range for communications jobs
based in Kansas City:
- Entry-level public relations specialist, $37,000-$48,000
- Media producer, $41,000-$53,000
- Media program director, $52,000-$69,000
Admission Requirements
- Freshmen and transfer students may apply to UMKC as pre-communication studies students and are admitted based on general University requirements.
- At least 33 credit hours of coursework in communication studies must be taken; six of these hours are required for all majors.
Prerequisite Courses
- For entering students, there are no specific requirements beyond those for the general admission to the University.
Major Courses
All communication studies students are required to satisfactorily complete the department’s core courses:
- Fundamentals of Effective Speaking and Listening (110)
- Seminar in Communication Studies (483)
An additional 27 credit hours completes the major and may include
- Intercultural Communication (441W)
- Group Dynamics (343)
- Mass Media, Culture and Society (320)
- Media Law (478)
- Persuasion (317)
- Film Theory and Criticism (339)
- Electronic Journalism (456)
- Introduction to Screenwriting (354)
- Writing for the Media (351WI)
Emphasis Areas:
1. Interpersonal and Public Communication
This emphasis offers study in the areas of public address and rhetoric,
interpersonal and intercultural communication, organizational communication and areas associated with human communication behavior.
In addition to the department’s six hours of core courses, Introduction to
the Study of Human Communication (308), three hours each of interpersonal communication and public communication courses are required. Twelve hours of interpersonal and public electives are also required and six hours of departmental electives complete this emphasis with a total of 33 credit hours.
2. Journalism and Mass Communication
This emphasis offers concentrated study in select areas including print
and electronic journalism, radio, television and advertising.
In addition to the department’s six hours of core courses, Modern Communications Media (220) and Introduction to Journalism (303WI) are
required. An additional 21 hours of journalism and mass communication
electives complete this emphasis with a total
of 33 credit hours.
3. Film and Media Arts
This emphasis offers a comprehensive approach to film, digital video and new media production.
In addition to the department’s six hours of core courses, this emphasis requires Introduction to Film Studies (230), plus 24 hours of film and media arts electives.
Other Programs Available
Minor in Communication Studies
May be earned by completing two required courses:
- Fundamentals of Effective Speaking and Listening (110) and
- Introduction to the Study of Human Communication (308),
plus an additional 12 credit hours in any 300-400 level courses within the department.
Minor in Film Studies
May be earned by completing two required courses:
- Introduction to Film Studies (230) and
- History of the Film Industry (376),
plus an additional 12 hours of electives. (This minor is not available to communication studies majors.)
Faculty
- The professionally oriented faculty includes a variety of communication theorists, media historians, journalists, film critics and specialists in radio and television production
- Some of the faculty members’ special interests and research areas are journalism, film propaganda and censorship, animation, radio and video production, interpersonal communication, intercultural communication,
and film theory and history. - Because the faculty is well-connected and professionally active in the field, new concepts and technologies are constantly being integrated into the program.
Department of Communication Studies
(816) 235-1337
com-s@umkc.edu
http://cas.umkc.edu/comm/
Contact us
UMKC Office of Admissions
120 Administrative Center
University of Missouri-Kansas City
5100 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO 64110-2499
(816) 235-1111
www.umkc.edu
Individuals with speech or hearing impairments may
call Relay Missouri at:
1-800-735-2966 (TT)
1-800-735-2466 (voice)
Visit us
Contact the UMKC Welcome Center at 816-235-UMKC (8652), or toll-free at 1-800-775-UMKC (8652), and we'll arrange a guided campus tour and a meeting with faculty and staff.
