Communication Arts: Media Communications at a glance
North Central’s Communication Arts: Media Communications major will prepare you with the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience you need to pursue your calling in a broad range of media careers. You’ll gain relevant skills in print and visual media—including video, photography, and web—while growing in your understanding of communication theories and trends. Through opportunities both on and off campus, you’ll be able to practice different mediums for creative expression and contribute your voice to the North Central community. In the process, you’ll learn to integrate your Christian faith and your future career in the media professions. Learn more about the communications major below!
Want to learn more?
Download the one sheet!
Simply fill in your info on the form to download the informational one sheet that covers:
- An overview of the program
- Classes you’ll take
- Exciting jobs you can get after graduation
Interested in earning your degree in Communication Arts: Media Communications at NCU?
What sets us apart
Real-world preparation
Learn professional communication skills and gain real-world experience.
Read more. HideGet real-world experience and hands-on training
Our program will prepare you with the professional communication skills and real-world experience you need for success after you graduate. You’ll take courses in media production, communication studies, and the business side of communication, so you’ll be prepared for careers in a variety of organizations and settings.
Plus, our unique location in the heart of downtown Minneapolis means you’ll have opportunities to intern at a host of local news organizations, agencies, and businesses. Internships present new challenges and learning experiences as you prepare for your career after graduation and get one step closer to living out your calling.
You’ll be supported, mentored, and coached by your advising professor throughout your internship and have opportunities to reflect on the process. This will give you insights into your passions and God-given talents, and help you pursue a fulfilling career path. Plus, when you finish your internship you’ll have an impressive portfolio, experience to add to your resume, and a network of professionals in the industry who can recommend you—or hire you!
Here are some internship possibilities:
- Advertising agencies
- Public relations agencies
- Corporate media and communication departments
- Minnesota Broadcasters Association
- Clear Channel Communications
- Non profit & foundation communications
- Public Radio International
- Twin Cities Public Television
- Minnesota Public Radio
- WCCO TV and Radio
- Minnesota Twins
- Minnesota Wild
- Minnesota Vikings
- Kare 11 TV
- KSTP TV and Radio
- FOX 9 TV
Practice your media communications skills
The Northerner, North Central’s student media organization, exists to report relevant campus news, to give our students a forum in which to discuss current events, and to provide you with an opportunity to gain professional-level skills in writing, photography and videography, as well as newspaper and web design.
As a media communication student, you’ll be able to work for the publication as a reporter, writer, columnist, editor, designer, photographer, videographer, or in several additional roles. You’ll develop your skills and learn the tricks of the trade as you practice being a media communications professional.
The Northerner is an online interactive publication, so you’ll also gain skills that are applicable to the always growing global trend in communications and convergent media. The dual online and print format offers opportunities for students to showcase their talents in photography, audio, video, and print. In addition, the site offers an RSS feed and socially bookmarks every story students publish, allowing for a much broader audience. A digital paper version of The Northerner newspaper embedded on the site also allows people to page through a virtual copy of the latest issue with all of the color photography and layout intact.
DOXA Film Festival
Enter the annual student documentary film festival at North Central University.
Read more. HideBring compelling stories to light
Doxa, the Greek word for “glory,” is the annual student documentary film festival at North Central University. The festival provides a forum for NCU student filmmakers to showcase and be rewarded for documentary filmmaking that features unique narratives demonstrating God’s glory in life and mission. Doxa is unique among universities and colleges in emphasizing the documentary short-subject format. The festival is a juried event and three awards are given out each year to recognize the top filmmakers.
The annual festival event provides a forum for student filmmakers to develop, discuss and display their vision, as well as provides a venue for the university community and church at large to engage with the storytelling power of the documentary film medium
-
Skills you’ll gain
When you graduate from the Communication Arts: Media Communications program, you’ll be prepared to:
- Understand a broad range of communication theories, including convergent media and technology, rhetoric, global context, and business communication
- Execute the technical aspects of media communications, including writing for digital media, web user experience and design, web content management, photography, videography, video post production, and documentary filmmaking
- Integrate your Christian faith and your career
- Practice ethical communication
-
Careers
Our graduates succeed in a variety of jobs and careers. Here are some possibilities:
- Advertising professional
- Media planner
- Agency Account executive
- Social media marketer
- Broadcast producer
- Web communications specialist
- Corporate media specialist
- Filmmaker/videographer
- Church media director
- Creative director
-
Tracks
Selecting a track will help you focus your education and specialize in a field.
- Digital Media Communication
- Public Relations and Business Communication
-
Minors & supporting programs
We want you to be well-rounded and well-prepared when you graduate, so you’ll have the opportunity to choose a minor or supporting program so you can explore another area of interest. Here are some possibilities:
- Business Administration
- Journalism
- Media Production
- Public Relations and Advertising
- English: Creative Writing
- History
- Intercultural Studies
- International Development
- Latin American Studies
- Middle Eastern Studies
- Pre-law
- Sociology
- Urban Studies
See the full list of minors and supporting programs.
Camden McAfee '13
Minneapolis, MN
"As Communications Coordinator at PULSE, I get to manage digital marketing through social media, emails, and writing projects. The relationships I developed with students and teachers gives me a solid network for the future."
Josh Chitwood '15
Minneapolis, MN
"I was always challenged, encouraged and supported by my professors at NCU, even before I arrived on campus. The assignments were stretching and had plenty of space for creative thinking and incorporating faith.The DOXA Film Festival cultivated my filmmaking skills and has had a profound impact on the way I create."
Dan Erickson '15
Eagan, MN
"At North Central, professors are more than just teachers you listen to for two and a half hours in the classroom every week—they’re mentors who make the effort to get to know you for who you are, what you love, and where you’re going in life."
Morgan Chitwood '15
Minneapolis, MN
"My professors guided me not only in the basics of creating media but also helped me gain a theological understanding of the effects of media. Today, we still look to several professors for input and advice in the work that we do."
Requirements
All students must complete the General Education Core and Christian Studies Core. General electives may be added or an optional minor may be selected. You need 124 total credit hours to complete the Communication Arts: Media Communications degree.
Meet one of your professors
Jonathon Heide
Assistant Professor, Communication Arts: Journalism
After working in both the technical communications industry and the journalism field, I’m excited to teach students in writing and digital media skills. In a world reliant on well-designed, quick, and accurate communication, it’s hard to find another field with more relevance. My desire is to see students hone their journalistic craft to serve others with the power of the story.
What are your areas of expertise?
My graduate work in the technical communication field involved researching effective methods of environment risk communication. I’m a member of both the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications and the International Society of Arboriculture. In the past, I’ve been an assistant editor at a national publication, worked as a technical writer for web development, and published works as a freelance writer in places such as Christianity Today, Ministries Today, Charisma, Relevant, Duluth News-Tribune, and Mankato Free Press, among others.
What do you love about teaching at North Central?
Our campus fosters the unification of faith and learning in all fields. I love being at the intersection of storytelling and faith. I’m also thrilled to be teaching in Elliot Park, a downtown neighborhood unique for its cultural diversity and strong community organization. I enjoy encouraging students to find and report great stories within our neighborhood.
What are your favorite classes to teach?
Introduction to Digital Media Production, Layout and Design, Feature Writing, Technical Writing