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Communication Department
Do you have a story to share? An ability to bring people together? The perfect image to illustrate an idea? A desire to serve as the representative for an organization? In Communication, you develop these creative skills to make a mark in people’s lives, whether you’re a breaking news reporter or the sage behind the next hit Super Bowl commercial.
Communication majors are distinct, yet they share many of the same characteristics. They all blend creativity, strategic planning, storytelling, and personal relationships with the latest technology to make you an asset wherever your life’s story takes you. Outside the classroom, you can get involved in a variety of organizations that enhance your professional skills.
Majors
Advertising and Public Relations
Master the art of strategic storytelling and critical thinking. A minor in Advertising and Public Relations is also available.
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Journalism
Become an expert in creating compelling stories. A minor in Journalism is also available.
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Organizational Communication
Master the art of effective messaging and teamwork. A minor in Organizational Communication is also available.
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Media Production
Build skills in the art of media storytelling, then take your skills into the field.
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Sports Communication
Train in your area of interest while mastering research, multimedia storytelling, industry insights and everything you need to become a leader in this dynamic field.
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Online Programs
Sports Communication (MA)
Whether you’re already working in the sports industry, looking to break in, or considering further graduate study, this program equips you with the expertise to thrive in the fast-paced world of sports media and communication.
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Minors
If you love writing, storytelling, and keeping people informed, a journalism minor is a great fit. You’ll gain real-world experience in news reporting, social media, and audience research—making it a strong complement to majors in media production, marketing, advertising, and public relations.
Strong communication is key in any career. This minor helps you sharpen your interpersonal and professional skills, whether you’re working in small teams or leading large organizations.
You can tailor your coursework to match your goals, with classes in persuasion, intercultural communication, social media, and conflict management. It’s a great choice if you’re considering leadership roles, nonprofit work, corporate business, or even graduate studies in communication, mediation, or law.
Interested in social media, branding, or storytelling? The APR minor gives you a practical, hands-on understanding of how to build and maintain relationships between organizations and their audiences.
Whether you’re passionate about consumer behavior, graphic design, or strategic communication, this minor helps you develop the skills to connect brands with consumers, nonprofits with donors, and companies with stakeholders.
Departmental Resources
The first named sports communication school in the nation! The The Charley Steiner School of Sports Communication is in honor of the world-class broadcaster Charley Steiner ’71, a four-time Emmy Award winner and National Radio Hall of Fame inductee who is a play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles Dodgers Steiner spent 14 years anchoring SportsCenter at ESPN while broadcasting baseball, football and boxing.
Named after a Walt Disney creative employee whose 65-year career included time as an artist, animator and theme park designer – the John C Hench Production Arts Studio boasts cameras with TelePrompters, professionally-designed sets, a fully dimmable lighting system, scene shop and a green room. The control room is designed for education, with large monitors, camera for the switcher, extra headsets and stadium seating. In addition, the studio has Avid editing bays and an audio-only studio.
Bradley University is home to the most successful speech team in the nation and is the only team to win a national championship every decade since 1980. Bradley boasts more than 40 national speech championships since 1978 (that’s nearly 60 percent of all competitions), more than 20 American Forensic Association national titles since 1980, more than 150 individual national championships and in spring 2018, the team captured its 18th consecutive state championship. Bradley’s team is the most successful collegiate team of any kind, according to the Associated Press.
Finalists compete for cash prizes in front of an audience of students, instructors, and community members, and a reception is open to all after the event. A panel of judges evaluates the competition, and a film crew from the TV Arts program records the performances. The event is made possible through the generous support of the Presentation Assistance Center and the Department of Communication.
What is the Presentation Assistance Center?
The Presentation Assistance Center is an informal opportunity to get feedback from a student who has training in giving feedback related to oral presentations. The Center is a place to ask questions, try out speech techniques, and simply have a place to practice your big presentation with a chance for constructive feedback.
What happens at the Presentation Assistance Center?
In appointments that last roughly 15 minutes students can get feedback on various parts of the speech process. This peer tutoring organization provides students with individual assistance in writing, speaking, and presentation projects and in developing writing and public speaking skills. The Center bases its work on identifying students’ strengths and building on them to achieve further progress. Students at every ability level and stage of speaking ability come to the PAC to work in collaborative relationships with tutors, who offer guidance and serve as responsive readers or listeners for the evolving text, presentation, or project.
What can I get feedback on at the Presentation Assistance Center?
The Speech Assistants will help with anything related to topic selection, research, source citation, organizing & outlining the speech, visual aids, delivery skills, and other items related to effective speech strategies. Examples include class presentations, speeches, capstone presentations, business presentations, Zoom presentations, and any other oral presentation.
What are the Objectives of the Center?
As a result of visiting the center:
- Students improve their oral communication skills
- Students improve their ability to translate thoughts into spoken ideas
- Students lessen communication apprehension and anxiety
- Students improve writing and speaking to express and substantiate their ideas
- Students become their own best editors and coaches
- Students develop and build confidence
Hours of Operation
Walk-in appointments and scheduled appointments are available.
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Monday |
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. |
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Tuesday |
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
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Wednesday |
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. |
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Thursday |
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
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Friday |
Closed |
Services Offered
Here is a brief list of services the Center offers. Our tutors are more than happy to help at any stage of the presentation process.
- Outline Feedback
- Delivery Feedback
- Speech Brainstorming
- Topic Selection
- Student Capstone Presentations
- Language Choice
- Faculty Presentation Coaching
- Visual Aids
- Source Citation
- Research
- Recording Technology for Make Up speeches
- Recording Virtual Presentations
- Practice using a visual aid
- Immediate coaching feedback using recorded video