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Communication

The Grand View Communication major prepares students for a wide variety of careers, including:

corporate communications
journalism
public relations
advertising
marketing
social media management

digital media
content creation
media production
broadcasting
strategic communication
nonprofit or advocacy communications

The program is a pipeline to the professional world and operates under the principle that students learn best by doing.

Our hands-on, project-based curriculum exposes students to an array of media technologies and equips them with the tools they will need to thrive in an exciting and ever-changing communication environment. From day one, students experience the thrill of purposeful work as they produce content for a real-world audience in our award-winning communication labs.

Our students also benefit from a university committed to helping them explore their life’s purpose and their obligations to the world.

As they approach the end of their time at Grand View, students can cap their experience with an internship in Des Moines, named a Top-Five City for Media Jobs (The Balance) and the No. 1 City for Young Professionals (Forbes).

Graduates with a degree in Communication will have exceptional written and oral communication skills, a deep understanding of the ethical and legal foundations of communication, and advanced media and information literacy. Students will gain technical mastery of a variety of communications technologies and expertise developing strategic, audience-focused messages in multiple media formats.

Degree Level:

Undergraduate Programs

Program Type:

Major, Minor

Format:

Full Time/Part Time, In-Person

Program Catalog Visit Apply Contact

Why Grand View?

Faculty in Grand View's communication department have years of experience in the communication field.
Students will become comfortable in an array of communication forms and have the freedom to spend more time honing in their skills in the areas that most interest them.
Students in the communication department have the opportunity to create content for Viewfinder Media including film newscasts, write for Viewfinder magazine, and much more, providing hands on experiences and developing skill sets for their career.

Student Testimonials

KC McGinnis

“KC McGinnis helped me achieve a project for a class outside of the one that I have with him. He taught me how to use new equipment, schedule studio time, troubleshoot editing ideas, and inspire me to challenge myself with projects outside of the skill set that we learn in class. KC welcomes any filming or editing questions anyone has and he would go above and beyond to help students get the content they would be looking for.” - Mariah Koch

Dr. Erin Kim-Cho

"Through the network Dr. Kim-Cho has helped me build, I have been able to directly serve and positively impact a wider community. Through The Anna Jinja Show, I have learned about the complexities of adoption and adoption communities, and through my service term with RIVA, I have learned greatly about the Immigrant and Refugee communities in Iowa. I am overwhelmingly grateful to have been recommended by Dr. Kim-Cho for these experiences and feel that they exemplify her understanding of my personal passions as well as the best way for me to effectively apply my skills to real-world experiences. Dr. Kim-Cho is attentive to students’ individual abilities, interests, and career goals." - Linnea H., Editor-in-Chief of Viewfinder

Jesus Martinez-Aviles, ICMA's Student Journalist of the Year in 2024

Grand View Communication major Jesus Martinez-Aviles was selected as the Iowa College Media Association Student Journalist of the Year in 2024.

Program Details

The Communication major prepares students for careers as multimedia storytellers though a hands-on, project based curriculum. Students are exposed to an array of media technologies and leave equipped with the tools and expertise needed to thrive as content creators, visual storytellers, writers, editors, producers and social media managers.

Course Requirements (42 or 43 credits)

Students in the Communication major will choose between the Media Production concentration or the Social Media Management concentration for their course requirements.

Professional Communication Minor

The Professional Communication minor is an excellent complement to any major. According to research by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, communication skills (written) and communication skills (verbal) rank Nos. 3 and 5, respectively, among the attributes employers most seek on a candidate’s resume. Deemed an important skill by approximately 70 percent of respondents, these skills rank ahead of strong work ethic, analytical/quantitative skills and computer skills. This minor enables students to sharpen communication skills through hands-on coursework that spans a variety of media forms and communication styles.

Course Requirements (19 credits)

Required courses:

COMM 104	Media Literacy	3 credits
COMM 141	Multimedia Storytelling	3 credits

Elective Courses

Take 6 credits from:

COMM 241	Multimedia Storytelling II	3 credits
COMM 255	Public Relations Principles	3 credits
COMM 404	Comm Law & Ethics	3 credits

Additional Electives

Take 6 credits from:

COMM 263	Social Media Strategy	3 credits
COMM 128	Video Production I	3 credits
COMM 122	Audio Production I	3 credits
COMM 352	Feature Writing and Editing	3 credits
COMM 375	Culture and Media	3 credits
COMM 430	Topics in Communication	3 credits

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Social Media Management Minor

Course Requirements (18 credits)

Required courses:

COMM 104	Media Literacy	3 credit
COMM 255	Public Relations Principles	3 credits
COMM 263	Social Media Strategy	3 credits
COMM 355	Lifecycle and Email Marketing	3 credits
COMM 363	Social Media Analytics	3 credits
COMM 463	Social Media Capstone	3 credits

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Viewfinder Media

Viewfinder Media includes the print magazine, website, social media, Viewfinder TV, and the Viewfinder Podcast. The student led media platform has won the Iowa College Media Association's (ICMA) overall print/online award two years in a row in 2022 and 2023. Through Viewfinder’s photography, videography, graphic design, storytelling, social media content creation, audio production, and magazine production, students build robust technical skills while also developing project-management and leadership experience. Students receive hands-on training that prepares them for careers across today’s media landscape.

Communication major students are regularly awarded for their work as part of Viewfinder Media. In the past three years, more than 60 students have won awards in the Iowa College Media Association’s annual student media competition in the following categories:

Best News Photograph
Best Sports Photograph
Best Feature Photograph
Best Investigative News Story
Best Profile Story, Best Feature Photograph
Best Feature Story
Best Multimedia Slideshow
Best Graphic or Illustration
Best Online Video Best Sports Feature
Best Opinion writing
Best Review
Best Magazine Cover
Best Online Design

Best Newscast
Best News Program
Best Sports Program
Best Audio Feature Package
Best Promo
Best Show
Best Experimental Video
Best Corporate Video
Best News/Public Affairs Storytelling Package
Best Online Edition
Best Online Video
Best Use of Social

Visit Viewfinder Media's YouTube channel

Explore Viewfinder Media's website

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Tuition & Scholarships

At Grand View University, your tuition supports instruction delivered by knowledgeable and experienced faculty who uphold our tradition of exceptional teaching. Additionally, we are dedicated to offering a high-quality education at the most affordable cost.

Transfer Credits

No matter what major you’re thinking about, you may be able to transfer in as many as 75 credits from a community college or junior college. If you have an A.A. or A.A.S. from an Iowa community college, you will be automatically admitted at junior status.

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Practicing Faculty

Communication faculty members are more than just professors, they are also practicing communication professionals.

Professor of Practice KC McGinnis has produced photo and video content for clients such as USA Today, ESPN, National Geographic and the New York Times.

Assistant Professor Dr. Erin Kim-Cho, a former TV reporter, works with local nonprofits to support their communication needs. She leads community-led research and communication-related projects, actively involving her students to provide them with hands-on experience in creating meaningful, real-world impact.