Dept. of Communication

Majors

Mass Communication

Seven majors are available for students in mass communication: (1) advertising; (2) broadcast journalism; (3) interactive media; (4) print journalism; (5) public relations; (6) electronic media; and (7) communications management. Students in mass communication are encouraged to maximize practical training along with academic instruction. Work on the campus television channel TV16, the nightly television newscast "Live At Five," the university's commercial FM radio station KVHU 95.3, the campus AM radio station AM 1660, the student newspaper The Bison, and the yearbook The Petit Jean, is available. In the junior or senior year an internship must be completed, working a specified number of hours in broadcast facilities, or in firms specializing in the chosen major field.

Theatre

One of the oldest disciplines, theater mixes the aesthetic with the technical. This major is generally categorized, along with music and art, as one of the performing arts. Students are given freedom of expression to present their creative skills through gentle direction of the program.

Oral Communication

The method most often used for persuasion and information is oral communication. This major sharpens the interpersonal, cross-cultural, and technical skills necessary to use the voice as an effective tool.

Communication Disorders

Harding University has offered academic coursework in communication sciences and disorders since 1951, when Richard Walker introduced "speech therapy services" to Searcy. Since that time, the program has evolved through many changes and continues to be a service to Harding University students and to the community of Searcy. The Communication Disorders Program offers preprofessional degrees in Communication Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology). In order to work as a Speech-Language Pathologist or Audiologist, students must continue their education at an American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's (ASHA) Educational Standards Board accredited graduate program upon completion of their undergraduate degrees from Harding. The Harding Program is a member of the National Academy of Preprofessional Programs in communication sciences and disorders and currently meets the advisements for undergraduate education suggested by ASHA. All professional staff hold ASHA's Certificates of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology and hold Arkansas Licenses in Speech-Language Pathology.

The communication disorders major is preprofessional in nature and is strongly recommended for students planning to pursue a masters degree and certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Students receive their clinical experience under the supervision of ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists. The program follows the ASHA Advisements for Undergraduate Education and supports the ASHA position that the graduate degree should be the minimum requirement for professional certification.