Waldorf’s Communication Department has faculty who know you won’t really start to learn until you get your hands on a project and create. Whether you favor written or electronic communication, you will have semester after semester of opportunities to write, record, edit and design. Your passion to produce will lead the way.

Our campus media—KZOW 91.9 FM, WAL-TV, The Lobbyist newspaper and The Torch magazine—serve as your pre-professional proving ground.

You and your student colleagues meet weekly to plan each radio show, TV broadcast, newspaper article or magazine spread slated for production. Our campus media organizations are open programs. This means that all students, regardless of major, are encouraged to participate. If a chance to lead seems appealing, you may interview for a media management position so you can exercise personal skills that will serve you well in a career.

This program is available on campus only.

Degree Requirements

Review the complete list of core requirements for this program.

Communication Arts Major Requirements - 26 Credits
Prefix Number Course Credit Hours
COM 101 Graphic Core 2
COM 102 Digital Core 2
COM 103 Mass Communications and Society 3
COM 104 News Gathering and Reporting 3
COM 201 Visual Theory 3
COM 280-283 Communication Practicum .5 each
COM 318 Editing 3
COM 395 Communications Internship 4-8
COM 401 Web Design 4
COM 441 Mass Media Law 4
COM 452 Senior Capstone 4
Digital Media Track - 16 Credits
Prefix Number Course Credit Hours
COM 202 Television Production 3
COM 203 Radio 3
COM 319 Electronic Field Production 3
COM 322 Broadcast Journalism 3
COM 434 Advanced Media 4
Graphic Design Track - 12 Credits
Prefix Number Course Credit Hours
ART 134 Design 3
COM 227 Fundamentals of Typography 3
COM 301 Publication Design 3
COM 314 History of Graphic Design 3
Journalism Track - 10 Credits
Prefix Number Course Credit Hours
COM 211 Intermediate Journalism 3
COM 301 Publication Design 3
COM 432 Photojournalism 4
Public Relations Track - 15 Credits
Prefix Number Course Credit Hours
COM 202 Television Production 3
COM 203 Radio 3
COM 204 Introduction to Public Relations 3
COM 301 Publication Design 3
COM 422 Public Relations Skills 3
Communication Arts Minor Requirements - 19-20 Credits
Prefix Number Course Credit Hours
COM 101 Graphic Core 3
COM 102 Digital Core 3
COM 103 Mass Communications and Society 3
COM 104 News Gathering and Reporting 3
COM 401 Web Design 3
Three courses from the following:
COM 201 Visual Theory 3
COM 204 Introduction to Public Relations 3
COM 301 Publication Design 3
COM 318 Editing 3
COM 441 Mass Media Law 4

Hardware Requirements

Required hardware is listed within the course descriptions in the course catalog.

Waldorf’s Communications program requires a Mac or Windows compatible computer with the minimum specifications needed to operate Adobe Creative Cloud.

Software Requirements

Required software is listed within the course descriptions in the course catalog and below. See pricing for Adobe CC (Creative Cloud), one of the primary software packages used in the program.

Adobe Creative Cloud is required for the following courses:

  • COM 1010, Graphic Core
  • COM 2010, Visual Theory
  • COM 3020, Radio Production
  • COM 3030, Television/Film Production
  • COM 3400, Digital Imaging
  • COM 4010, Web Design
  • COM 4520, Senior Capstone

Additional Hardware and Software Requirements

Additional required hardware and software is listed within the course descriptions in the course catalog and below.

  • COM 1020, Digital Core requires Video Camera; Camera; Keynote or equivalent; Final Cut Pro X or equivalent.
  • COM 3020, Radio Production requires an External Microphone; Avid Pro Tools or equivalent.
  • COM 3030, Television/Film Production requires Video Camera; Final Cut Pro X or equivalent.