Dean R. Sanders ’47 School of Business Faculty
Gain valuable insights from our faculty, who have firsthand business knowledge as consultants, executives and entrepreneurs.
Produce the segment, write the story or star in the show. With a major in Communications, you'll chart your own course to a thriving media career.
Program Overview
Pursue a dynamic career in the rapidly changing, competitive media world.
Whether you’re interested in TV and radio broadcasting, sports broadcasting, multimedia production, station management, news writing and reporting, social media and content creation or another aspect of the field, a degree in Communications will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to build a successful media career. Dean College offers a bachelor’s degree, associate degree and minor in Communications.
From day one, you'll be immediately immersed in hands-on multimedia production work and hit the ground running on air, behind the scenes and on the web. You’ll study theoretical and production concepts while honing your skills in:
- Digital audio
- HD video
- Website and social media
- Sports broadcasting
- Multimedia production
- Content production
You'll gain practical experience in multimedia production, study the history, evolution and current state of mass communications and learn how to become a better communicator no matter what role you land.
You'll also have the opportunity to personalize your degree and focus on the projects you want to work on. Passionate about filmmaking? Produce and direct your own short feature films. An aspiring sports broadcaster? Hone your craft through courses, internships and on-air opportunities with Dean TV, Dean News Network and Power 88. Interested in social media or web design? Create content for campus clients and local corporations. As a Dean College Communications major, you’ll be running the show.
Communications Courses
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COM 121 | Introduction to Communications | 3 |
| COM 122 | Digital Audio Production l | 3 |
| COM 123 | Digital Video Production l | 3 |
| COM 124 | Web Design and Social Media Production l | 3 |
| COM 211 | Media Writing | 3 |
| COM 217 | Sports and Entertainment Media | 3 |
| COM 223 | Digital Video Production ll | 4 |
| COM 225 | Digital Audio Production ll | 3 |
| UPPER DIVISION MAJOR ELE | Upper-Division Communications Electives | 12 |
| COM 495 | Senior Capstone | 3 |
| COM 112, COM 115, COM 116, COM 312, COM 315, OR COM 355 | Dean Radio or Dean TV | 7 |
| DCA 100 | Campus Connections: Making the Transition | 1 |
| DCA 110 | Career Connections: Developing Your Brand | 1 |
| DCA 200 | Internship Connections: Creating Your Plan | 1 |
| DCA 300 | The Internship Experience | 3 |
| DCA 350 | Future Connections: Launching Your Career | 3 |
Total Credits
56
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 111 | Composition l | 3 |
| ENG 112 | Composition ll | 3 |
| SPC 101 | Communication Fundamentals | 3 |
| MATH ELECTIVE | Core Mathematics Elective | 3 |
| LAB SCIENCE ELECTIVE | Core Lab Science Elective | 4 |
| ARTS ELECTIVE | Core Distribution Arts Elective | 3 |
| HUMANITIES ELECTIVE | Core Distribution Humanities Elective | 3 |
| NATURAL SCIENCES AND MATH ELECTIVE | Core Distribution Natural Sciences and Mathematics Elective | 3 |
| SOCIAL SCIENCES ELECTIVE | Core Distribution Social Sciences Elective | 3 |
| COM 327 | Applied Professional Communication | 3 |
| UDLA ELE | Upper-Division Liberal Arts Electives | 9 |
Total Credits
40
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ELE | Electives | 24 |
Total Credits
24
Beyond the Classroom
Put your media skills to work as soon as you step onto campus.
Our state-of-the-art TV and radio facilities are constantly buzzing with students working together on assignments, broadcasts and passion projects. On campus, get involved with one of our student-run media outlets, including Dean TV, Dean News Network, WGAO 88.3 FM (Power 88) Radio and The Dean Daily, our student-run newspaper. Then, take your skills off campus and practice what you’re learning through internships at local television and radio stations and organizations like the New England Patriots, New England Revolution or Providence Bruins.
And when you graduate, you’ll be ready to take on the world. Dean Communications alumni find success in every area of the industry, working for organizations like CNN, ESPN, New England Sports Network, Kraft Sports + Entertainment, Patriot Place, TJ Maxx, YMCA, WEEI Sports Radio, Cumulus Media and so much more.
Interested in writing, broadcasting or media relations opportunities for sports teams, events and other athletic programs in particular? Learn more about careers in sports.
Get Involved
Learn more about how to get involved with our student-run clubs, activities and media outlets.-
Dean TV Dean College's television station, available as a 1-2 credit course. -
WGAO 88.3 FM (Power 88) Radio Dean College's Nielson-rated, 175-watt stereo radio station on campus.
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Dean News Network Dean College's video production club.
Uniquely Dean
Take advantage of the Dean College Communications program’s unique, real-world opportunities starting in your first semester.
- Enjoy access to a state-of-the-art video facility, three-camera television studio, and digital audio and video postproduction suites and editing rooms.
- Practice your skills in digital media labs featuring industry-standard software such as Final Cut Pro and Pro Tools.
- Gain experience on the air in WGAO 88.3 FM (Power 88), our Nielsen-rated, 175-watt stereo radio station. See what it's like to work at the station!
- Work at Dean’s television station, Dean TV, as creators, segment producers, talent and crew to produce news, entertainment and sports programming.
- Network with industry leaders, gain exclusive learning opportunities and pursue internships through The Center for Business, Entertainment, and Sport Management.
- Learn from faculty who are experienced practitioners in the field. Dean College was ranked #2 in Best Undergraduate Teaching in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report Best Regional Colleges, North category.
I was able to cover the Big East Tournament on behalf of Dean College and the Dean Daily. Along with covering the Big East Award Ceremony, I covered games, live tweeted games from the media box and interviewed players and coaches postgame. I was able to build lifelong connections and understand hands-on what it takes to work one of the biggest sporting events in America.”
Before coming to Dean, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. After taking a few courses in video and audio, I realized that I have a passion for audio. Being on-air at the radio station is something that I never knew that I loved. Growing up I was very shy and reserved and it wasn't until taking the radio course that I realized that I can be myself on-air and it feels amazing.
After graduating from Dean College I pursued a career in news and photography. I won an Emmy Award for producing the 2018 special "Beyond the Border: The Opioid Pipeline." I am currently a photographer for CNN in their Jerusalem Bureau.
I chose Dean because the Communications program allowed me to jump in and get started right away. I was on the air two weeks into my freshman year on Power 88, behind the camera, in front of the camera and doing all the things I wouldn’t have the opportunity to do at a larger school.
RECENT STORIES
Check out the news and stories below to learn more about being a Communications major at Dean.
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