Mass Communication
The UW-Eau Claire mass communication program prepares you to research, analyze, interpret, evaluate and present content effectively through various channels of communication. Because of its essential role in our society, mass communication helps you to enhance your oral, written and visual communication skills - the first skills employers look at! It will help you develop research and persuasive skills and strengthen your capacity for critical and analytical thinking. You will understand mass communication processes in diverse cultural, social, legal and ethical contexts.
Intern experience
Mass communication majors benefit from the competitive edge and valuable learning experience gained through internships. Students can earn credit for internships approved by the department. In recent years, mass communication students have had the opportunity to intern with organizations such as The American Red Cross, The City of Eau Claire, Menards, Inc., Luther Midelfort, United Way, Target Corporation, and Eau Claire Express Baseball, to name a few!
Innovative teaching
Many faculty teaching in the mass communication majors have both academic credentials and professional experience in public relations or advertising. Their industry experience allows them to create unique courses which intertwine theory and real-world applications, such as event planning courses where students manage clients and organizations, to plan and facilitate events.
Faculty research
Students also gain experience researching alongside faculty. Recent research topics include ideology and news coverage in North Korea, the effectiveness of anti-alcohol advertising, and the framing of political and public issues.
100% student run
UWEC’s student newspaper, the Spectator, is not only 100% student run, but is also award winning. The paper has won awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. It provides opportunities for advertising staff members in hard copy form and in its new online edition.
Majors
Mass Communication
– Advertising
– Public Relations
Minors
Mass Communication– Advertising
– Public Relations
Accreditation
The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication nationally accredits the advertising, broadcast journalism, print journalism and public relations emphases.
Suggested freshman curriculum
- Intro to College Writing
- Communication in the
Information Age
- Fundamentals of Speech
- Fundamentals of
Advertising
- Introduction to Public
Relations
- General electives
More advising information
Our graduates
Typical positions held by mass communication graduates include advertising or marketing-related strategic communication, event planning, public relations, or political communication.
More career information
Places you’ll find recent graduates:
Public Relations:
- Project Coordinator,
Xcel Energy, Eau Claire, WI
- Special Events Manager,
Junior Achievement,
Maplewood, MN
- PR and Marketing Associate,
Boys and Girls Club of
Milwaukee, WI
- Event Coordinator,
Hyatt Regency Hotel,
Chicago, IL
Advertising:
- Account Executive,
Ludlow Advertising,
Minneapolis, MN
- Account Coordinator,
Makovsky & Co. Inc.,
New York, NY
- Media Coordinator,
Laughlin Constable,
Whitefish Bay, WI
- Copywriter, Mason Shoe Co.,
Chippewa Falls, WI
Department contact information
Mary Hoffman
hoffmamf@uwec.edu
715-836-2528
