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Communication

Bachelor of Arts

Communication—consistently ranks among the top skills that employers look for in employees (Morreale & Pearson)

Overview

As image-bearers of God, we are relational beings, which means that we were made to communicate and live in a community. BJU’s communication program equips you for a wide variety of careers, and prepares you to excel in whatever community God leads you.

Here at BJU you’ll learn the value of biblically grounded communication, and why integrity, truthfulness and others-focused communication are essential for effective interaction. And with courses like Interpersonal Communication, Conflict Management and Intercultural Communication, you’ll learn how to build rapport with people from a wide variety of backgrounds.

communication students

Program

From your very first communication course, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of people in both personal and professional settings. Our experienced faculty present each course from a Christian worldview, applying biblical principles to all aspects of communication and encouraging you to do the same.

Because communication is a broad program, it offers you tremendous flexibility. If you have an interest in organizational communication, interpersonal communication, strategic communication or public speaking, you can take communication courses that further explore these areas. Communication at BJU is also a great major for students interested in politics, business, ministry or graduate school.

BJU Core

As an effective communicator, it’s important to be able to connect with your audience. That’s why the BJU Core is so crucial for you as a communicator. Classes in history, art, English and other subject areas will help you appreciate other points of view and adapt to a variety of situations, thereby extending your witness for Christ as well.

Your Bible classes will help you more fully understand and appreciate the overarching themes of Scripture, as well as the themes of individual books. You’ll learn how to apply biblical truth to your own life, and how to effectively communicate that truth to others.

Electives

We have a wide variety of elective courses to help you fit your program to your career goals. If you’re interested in specializing in interpersonal communication, you can take electives like Conflict Management and Intercultural Communication. If you’d like to develop your public speaking skills, you can take classes like Argumentation & Debate and Persuasion.

If you’re leaning toward organizational communication, you can take electives like Organizational Communication and Community Training & Development. If you’re interested in strategic communication, you can take Social Media Strategy or Crisis Communication.

We also encourage you to take a few classes in business, human resources or journalism and mass communication. These subject areas will give you opportunities to broaden your career options so you can find the best fit for you and then prepare you to excel wherever God leads you.

Success

  • Charla Sindelar
  • Jim Galon
Charla Sindelar

Charla Sindelar, ’07

Sindelar Social Marketing

Without an internship and without courses at BJU such as business writing, organizational communication, public relations and persuasion, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Looking at my current positions—in a marketing firm and as a marketing entrepreneur—some may wonder why I wasn’t a marketing major. The short answer is I didn’t want to be limited to a business degree.

A communication degree is amazingly flexible. Somehow it united my odd blend of music, computer, business, and counseling electives. It is flexible, yet practical. We took field trips to major corporations and met local businesspeople. Finally, every communication student gets real-world experience in an internship.

To my surprise, I landed an internship that I pursued on my own. At the close of my internship, they offered me a full-time position. What an exciting conclusion to my degree! Each step of the way God has directed my path, just as He will do for each of His children for His glory.

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Your Future

Jobs

The communication program at BJU opens the door to many career possibilities including:

  • Corporate Trainer
  • Social Media Manager
  • Entrepreneur and Business Owner
  • Communication Director
  • Event Coordinator
  • Brand Strategist

Graduate Schools

Our graduates have been accepted into graduate schools such as:

  • Purdue University
  • University of Kansas
  • University of South Carolina
  • Clemson University
  • University of Tennessee
  • University of Nebraska
  • Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
  • University of Illinois
  • Gonzaga University
  • Vanderbilt University
  • Duke University School of Law

Graduate Experience

Communication graduates excel in a wide range of settings:

  • Media Analyst for Michelin North America
  • Communications Director for South Carolinians for Responsive Government
  • IT Support Consultant for University of Notre Dame
  • Marketing and Events Manager for City Year Denver
  • Risk Management Coordinator for Ob Hospitalist Group
  • Account Executive for Edelman Public Relations
  • Facilities Area Manager for General Motors
  • Bloomberg in Tokyo, Japan

communication students

Career Support

BJU offers students a variety of ways to network with employers and organizations. A multitude of job opportunities are posted each year on Career Central, our online job board. In addition, more than 60 businesses and 150 Christian schools/mission boards/Christian organizations come on campus to recruit students through on-campus interviews and job/ministry fairs.

Career Services also helps students by holding seminars on resume preparation and interview techniques.

Learning Experience

When it comes to extracurricular experience, you’ll have plenty to choose from. You’ll be able to practice your skills in communication both on campus and off campus, whether through acting in student-run plays, participating in the debate team, giving a devotional to your society and much more. You also can take advantage of internships in town to begin networking and get a head start in your field.

Lambda Pi Eta Honors Society

During your study of communication, you’ll have the opportunity to join BJU’s chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, which promotes, studies and develops the communication discipline from a biblical worldview. This organization is part of the nationally recognized National Communication Association.

Student Legislature

Each fall, BJU’s Student Legislature team travels to South Carolina’s state capital, Columbia, to join with students from 10 to 15 major colleges and universities in the state. Together they form a house and senate, presided over by officers elected from among their members. Students use their extemporaneous speaking abilities, persuasive powers and knowledge of current events to pass legislation that they have written.

The Collegian

Bob Jones University’s student newspaper, The Collegian, was founded in 1987 as a journalism lab, offering students hands-on experience in producing a weekly publication. Newspaper staff write and edit articles, design the layout and take photographs. Stories in The Collegian focus on campus personalities and student life, helping to unify the large and diverse student body. The paper is distributed free on campus and is also available online.

Vintage

The staff for the Vintage, BJU’s yearbook, comprises on average 18 student members of all classifications. Under the oversight of a few BJU staff sponsors, the Vintage staff is responsible for the book’s production from start to finish each year. Vintage members develop the book’s theme, write copy about featured people and events, schedule and help organize photo shoots, design pages and work with outside companies involved in the printing of the book.

Faculty

Jeff Miller
Jeff Miller
Division of Communication

View Faculty

At BJU you’ll study under our highly qualified faculty, many of whom have PhDs in the areas of communication and leadership from universities such as University of Kansas, University of Illinois, Purdue University and Regent University.

Faculty also have many years of corporate experience and currently serve as business consultants, trainers and mediators.

Courses & Objectives

Sample Course Outline

1st Year

2nd Year

3rd Year

4th Year

  • Program
  • BJU Core
  • Elective

    Program Objectives

    Each student will:

    • Analyze human communication from a biblical perspective.
    • Apply multiple theories of human communication to communication problems.
    • Apply principles of oral communication in public, organizational or interpersonal settings.

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