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Communication and Media Practice

Grand View’s Communication department 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 and expertise needed 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 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).

What is the Media Practice part?

Grand View’s Communication and Media Practice degree is all about doing the work — not just talking about it. Here are some key differences between our program and traditional communication majors:

	Grand View	Others
Instruction	Hands-on learning in labs and in the field	Lecture-based courses
Coursework	Practical assignments with real stakes	Tests and quizzes
Audience	The entire campus community (and beyond)	Your professor
Skills Emphasized	Collaboration, problem-solving, creativity, critical thinking, audience service	Memorization
Outcome	Portfolio pieces that demonstrate your skills and lead to jobs and internships	Letter grades

Degree Level:

Undergraduate Programs

Program Type:

Major, Minor

Format:

Full 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 student Jesus Martinez-Aviles was selected as the ICMA’s Student Journalist of the Year in 2024.

Program Details

The major in Communication and Media Practice 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 (44 credits)

Requirements for the major:

Communication Core Courses

ARTS 104	Principles of Design II: Digital Media	3 credits
ARTS 131	Basic Digital Photography	3 credits
COMM 105	Media Literacy	1 credit
COMM 141	Multimedia Storytelling	3 credits
COMM 159	Journalism Laboratory	2 credits
COMM 199	Sophomore/Transfer Portfolio Review	0 credits
COMM 255	Public Relations Principles	3 credits
COMM 263	Digital Publishing	3 credits
COMM 399	Internship	3 credits
COMM 404	Communication Law and Ethics	3 credits
COMM 470	Multimedia Career Seminar	3 credits

Multimedia Labs

Take 3 credits from:

COMM 122	Audio Production Lab	3 credits
COMM 128	Video Production Lab	3 credits

Advanced Electives

Take 6 credits from:

COMM 323	Emerging Video Techniques	3 credits
COMM 352	Feature Writing and Editing	3 credits
ARTS 333	Narrative Photography	3 credits
ARTS 367	Publication Design	3 credits
BSAD 415*	Internet Marketing	3 credits
BSAD 416*	Sport Marketing	3 credits
DATA 321	Data Visualization	3 credits
ARTS 300*	Graphic Design III	3 credits

*This course has required prerequisites in addition to the courses required for the Communication and Media Practice major. See University Catalog for details.

Advanced Communication Labs

Take 2 credits from:

COMM 322	Advanced Audio Production Lab	1 credit
COMM 328	Advanced Video Production Lab	1 credit
COMM 359	Advanced Journalism Lab	1 credit

Additional Electives

Take 6 additional credits from:

COMM 323	Emerging Video Techniques	3 credits
COMM 352	Feature Writing and Editing	3 credits
COMM 430	Topics in Communication	1-3 credits
COMM 467	Honors Media Lab	3 credits
ARTS 230	Intermediate Digital Photography	3 credits
ARTS 245	Interactive Design I	3 credits
ARTS 261	Graphic Design I	3 credits
ARTS 265*	Graphic Design II	3 credits
ARTS 300*	Graphic Design III	3 credits
ARTS 333	Narrative Photography	3 credits
ARTS 337	Creative Photography	3 credits
ARTS 367	Publication Design	3 credits
ENGL 309*	Writing for Business	3 credits
BSAD 315	Marketing	3 credits

*This course has required prerequisites in addition to the courses required for the Communication and Media Practice major. See University Catalog for details.

All Multimedia Communication majors must attain a 2.2 GPA or better in the courses which comprise their academic major. Students majoring in Multimedia Communication must achieve a grade of C or above in all the required courses to graduate.

Additional Admissions Information (PDF)

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 105	Media Literacy	1 credit
ARTS 131	Basic Digital Photography	3 credits
COMM 141	Multimedia Storytelling	3 credits

Elective Courses

Take 3 credits from:

COMM 255	PR Principles	3 credits
COMM 263	Digital Publishing	3 credits

Take 2 credits from:

COMM 128	Video Production Lab	3 credits
COMM 159	Journalism Lab	2 credits

Take 3 credits from:

COMM 328	Advanced Video Production Lab	1 credit
COMM 359	Advanced Journalism Lab	1 credit

Take 3 credits from:

COMM 323	Emerging Video Techniques	3 credits
COMM 352	Feature Writing and Editing	3 credits
COMM 399	Internship	3 credits
COMM 404	Communication Law and Ethics	3 credits
COMM 430	Topics in Communication	3 credits
COMM 470	Multimedia Career Seminar	3 credits

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.

Communication and Media Practice 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

NET PRICE CALCULATOR

Get an early estimate of your financial aid and costs by entering some basic information. The more accurate your inputs, the more reliable your estimate will be. Keep in mind that these figures are approximations. Your actual financial aid package will be determined based on the details provided in your FAFSA.

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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.