Bachelor of English/Humanities with Communication Concentration
Build the writing, speaking, and storytelling skills employers ask for first — and shape them around the part of communication you want to work in.
Program Overview
The coursework in the Communication program prepares students for careers in journalism, corporate communication, publishing, or public relations through both theoretical and practical communication skill building. With a balance of hands-on and in-depth course work, students are prepared to succeed for a variety of in-demand careers in the vast and fast-paced field of communication.
You will gain experience in all of the main areas of communication studies–including public speaking, interpersonal communication, journalism, public relations, marketing, organizational communication, and publication editing and design. The program offers three tailored tracks in Journalism/Mass Communication, Human Communication, and Strategic Communication.
The Communication program provides valuable hands-on experience in newspaper reporting, writing, and publication through work on the university newspaper, The Chronicle. Students also gain first-hand experience in social media planning and management through targeted promotion of programs within the College of Arts & Sciences.
Communication skills are frequently cited by employers as one of the most sought-after skills in job candidates. Through a wealth of communication courses, students in the Communication program will be able to apply their studies to a variety of careers.
Tracks
Within this concentration, students can tailor their program with one of the following tracks:
- Journalism/Mass Communication
- Human Communication
- Strategic Communication
Career Outcomes
How to Apply
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Start your application
Free, takes about 15 minutes.
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Send transcripts
Have your high school guidance counselor send them to admissions@shawnee.edu
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File the FAFSA
School code 009942. Required for Free Tuition.
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Get your decision
Most decisions in under 7 days.
At A Glance
Bachelor of English/Humanities with Communication Concentration
Degree
B.A.
Format
On Campus
Length
4 years (full-time)
Class Size
12:1
Location
Main Campus
Why Study Bachelor of English/Humanities with Communication Concentration at Shawnee University
You'll work in every major area of communication — public speaking, interpersonal, journalism, public relations, marketing, organizational communication, and editing — so you graduate with real range, not just a single specialty.
Three concentration tracks (Journalism/Mass Communication, Human Communication, Strategic Communication) let you point your degree at the kind of work you actually want.
Hands-on practice on The Chronicle, the student newspaper, and on social media work for the College of Arts & Sciences gives you a portfolio before you graduate.
Small classes mean your professors know your writing and your voice, and you get real feedback you can act on.
The curriculum is built around 30 credit hours of core communication work — journalism, strategic communication, presentation skills, interpersonal communication, and organizational communication — plus 18 hours of communication electives you choose to fit your interests and your concentration track.
- 30 credit hours of communication core (writing, public speaking, journalism, PR, organizational)
- 18 credit hours of communication electives in your chosen track
- Concentration coursework in Journalism/Mass Communication, Human Communication, or Strategic Communication
- Required experiential work tied to The Chronicle or a related campus media outlet
You'll write, edit, and publish for The Chronicle, the student newspaper, and pick up real social media planning and management experience promoting College of Arts & Sciences programs. An internship in the field is built into your track work, so by the time you graduate you've already shipped public-facing communication.
Students who complete the English & Humanities core will be able to:
- situate texts within a historical and cultural context;
- analyze texts through the lens of literary, cultural, rhetorical, and/or linguistic theory; and
- compose effective arguments supported by relevant evidence from primary and secondary sources.
Students who complete the Communication Concentration will be able to demonstrate understanding of communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts.
On campus in Portsmouth, Ohio, through the Department of English & Humanities, with hands-on work tied to The Chronicle and other campus media.
Communication graduates work in newsrooms, agencies, in-house communications teams, nonprofits, healthcare systems, and public-sector offices.
- Reporter or multimedia journalist
- Public relations specialist
- Corporate or internal communications associate
- Social media or content coordinator
- Marketing communications coordinator
- Publication editor or designer
Common industries include media and publishing, marketing and advertising, healthcare, higher education, government, and corporate communications.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Shawnee State’s tuition is among the lowest in Ohio, and the Shawnee Advantage Tuition Guarantee keeps your rate flat for four years. Scholarships including Choose Ohio First and the Pell-Eligible Free Tuition Program may also apply.
Bachelor of English/Humanities with Communication Concentration Frequently Asked Questions
No. You can start in the core communication courses and choose your concentration (Journalism/Mass Communication, Human Communication, or Strategic Communication) as you get clearer on the work you want to do.
Yes — communication majors often pair the degree with a business, marketing, or graphic design minor to broaden their job options. Talk to your advisor early so the credits line up.
Yes. Coursework is tied to The Chronicle and to live social media work for the College of Arts & Sciences, so you'll have published, real-world work in your portfolio.
Program handbook
Contact the Department of English & Humanities for the current program handbook and course rotation.
Accreditation
Shawnee State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
