Communication Department

College of Arts and Humanities
Ellensburg
Bouillon Hall, room 232A
Mail Stop 7438
509-963-1055
Fax: 509-963-1060
www.cwu.edu/communication
See website for how the communication programs may be used for educational and career purposes.

Faculty and Staff
Chair
César García, PhD

Professors
Philip Backlund, PhD, communication studies
James L. Gaudino, PhD, communication studies
Michael R. Ogden, PhD, journalism, film and video studies

Associate Professors
César García, PhD, public relations
Cynthia Mitchell, MBA, journalism

Assistant Professors
Elizabeth Kerns, MA, public relations
Sacheen Mobley, PhD, communication studies
Maria Sanders, MA, film and video studies
Nadene Vevea, PhD, communication

Lecturers
Yong Cao, ABD, communication
Emily DuPlessis, MA, communication
Jennifer Green, MA, journalism
Helen Harrison, MA, film and video studies, advertising, communication
Terri Reddout, MA, public relations and advertising
Toby Staab, MA, journalism
Jon Ward, MA, film and video studies
Steve Woodward, MA, journalism

Staff
Kristin Gaskill, Observer business manager
Vicki Winegar, secretary senior

Department Information
The Department of Communication prepares students to become active participants in communicating with and the shaping of modern culture in a global society. The department emphasizes student-centered instruction in gathering and disseminating written, spoken, and visual information, as well as course work in the processes, effects, and theories of human communication. The department is committed to a liberal education in written, oral, visual, and convergent media communication, as well as to training in diverse professional fields.

Department Standards

Admission Requirements
Admission to the communication department majors in Public Relations, Journalism and Communication Studies is selective. Before admission to the communication department, students must demonstrate the following: a minimum overall GPA of 2.4 (for Digital Journalism) or a 2.7 (for Public Relations and Communication Studies); completion of two communication gateway courses with a B average or higher; a score of at least six (6) on the Write Placer test; and submission of a cover letter stating the reasons for their interest in the field. Should students wish to change within the department, students must re-apply to the new major.

Exit Requirements

1. Students must maintain a 2.4 GPA with a minimum grade of C- in all courses counted toward fulfilling any major or minor requirements.
2. No course may be counted twice in fulfilling an internal or external minor.

Financial Obligations
Production courses required for broadcast journalism and/or film and video studies have associated lab fees.

Bachelor of Arts
(NOTE: Students seeking a BA degree must complete one year college/university study or two years high school study of a single world language.)

Communication Foundation Core Requirements
COM 201 - Introduction to Mass Communication Credits: 5
COM 207 - Introduction to Human Communication Credits: 5
Total Core Credits: 10

Programs

• Communication Studies Major, BA
• Digital Journalism Major BA, Broadcast Journalism Specialization
• Digital Journalism Major BA, Journalistic Writing and Reporting Specialization
• Public Relations Major, BA

• Non-profit Organization Management Certificate (COM)
• Professional Writing Certificate (COM)

• Advertising Minor
• Communication Minor
• Non-profit Organization Management Minor (COM)
• Organizational Communication Minor

Courses

• COM 496 - Individual Study
• COM 498 - Special Topics
• COM 499 - Seminar