The art of communication
With Media Studies and Visual Communication concentrations, this degree provides the opportunities for artists and filmmakers to build careers doing the form of art they love.
Start your future in communications.
Program Highlights
Earn You Degree in Communications
Communications is a program that is interdisciplinary and gives you the opportunity to study business, media and the visual arts. You will choose a field of emphasis while retaining the option to select classes from any of the other areas.
Work with Local Businesses
Opportunities to perform in regional and national dance venues
Choose from Two Tracks
Pick from Media Studies or Visual Communications to focus on a specific area.
Career Services
Helpful career guidance
Schedule an audition.
Tracks
Focus Areas
Choose from two tracks offered in media studies or visual communications.
- Media StudiesThe Media Studies concentration prepares you for a career in digital video or film, or multimedia production. In addition to core communications classes, you will complete coursework in media production and post-production, digital movie-making, or animation. You will study script writing, story-boarding, digital video, photography, scenic and lighting design, makeup applications and effects, and post-production editing, as you create and produce projects using digital media and technology.
- Visual CommunicationsVisual Communications is designed to prepare students for professional practice in graphic design, advertising, marketing communications, media, web design, digital imaging or related fields. As students prepare for a career in visual communication, they develop a research-based design process to produce a portfolio and pursue an internship. You can even participate in Friends online writing magazine, The Mews.
Internships and Potential Career Choices
We live in the Information Age, which means never before have there been so many opportunities for writers, artists and filmmakers to build careers doing the form of art they love. Graduates of the Friends University communications program work in fields such as electronic media, graphic arts, public relations, television, radio and film.
Being located in the Wichita/metro area is a great advantage for our communications students. You will have internship opportunities with both profit and non-profit organizations. You can participate in internships at ad agencies, public relations firms, newspapers, video and animation production studios, print shops, television and radio stations, and within communications departments at a variety of area businesses and industries. There also are internships available right here on campus. An internship in a relevant career field can help you better gauge your skills and interests, make valuable contacts, and even consider new options. We pride ourselves on getting you connected with employers and giving you a hands-on learning experience in addition to your coursework. You will also be able to take advantage of professional organizations and events such as AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts), Creative Rush, MakeICT and Wichita Art Museum Art Chatter.
Friends communications graduates are currently working at some of the following locations: Wichita radio stations such as KFDI, KTLI, KBUZ, KNSS; local television stations KWCH, KAKE, KSN, KPTS, KQTW; Digital Brand; Cornerstone Studios; Trees for Life; Koch Industries; and Nexlearn.
Communications Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate proficiency in various types of professional writing.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the legal and ethical issues in the fields of journalism or public relations.
Media Studies Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge, appreciation and understanding of major mass media.
- Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze and research media program content within an ethical perspective.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scriptwriting formats for various mass media applications.
- Demonstrate the ability to create and compose media programming projects.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the technical production process for media.
- Apply classroom instruction and acquired skills through successful completion of a production portfolio and/or field internship.
Visual Communications Program Outcomes
- Compile, display and orally support a portfolio of work in a portfolio course that will compare favorably with students completing a similar program of study in the region.
- Satisfactorily perform business (marketing, promotions and/or public relations), graphic design, media, marketing or photography skills in an off-campus internship that will compare favorably with students completing a similar program of study in the region.
Featured Faculty
Doug Billings
- Printmaking
- Fine Arts
- BFA Mankato State University; MFA Wichita State University
Natalie Brown
- Art Education
- Fine Arts
- M.F.A., Wichita State University; B.F.A., Kansas State University
Laurie Dove
- Mass Media
- Fine Arts
David Harmon
- Esthetics
- Fine Arts
Sara Harmon
- Web Design
- Fine Arts
Aaron Krone
- Associate Professor of Art
- Fine Arts
- B.A., Friends University; M.F.A., Fort Hays State University
Donalyn Manion
- Assistant Professor Visual Arts; Program Director Visual Arts
- Fine Arts
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, Wichita State University; Master of Fine Arts in Media Design, Full Sail University
Dr. Nathanael May
- Professor of Music; Tim & Gail Buchanan Division Chair of Fine Arts
- Fine Arts
- B.M., University of Wisconsin–Whitewater; M.M. Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester; D.M.A. University of Kansas
Lauren Miller
- Computer Print Technologies
- Fine Arts
- B.A., Friends University
Dr. Charles Parker
- Speech
- Fine Arts
- B.A., Harding University; M.A. Harding School of Theology; M.A., University of Memphis; Ph.D., SIU-Carbondale
Brian Strole
- Forensics & Debate
- Fine Arts
Niomi Thompson
- Speech
- Fine Arts
- Wichita State University
Kayla Vosburg
- Communications
- Fine Arts
- B.A. Friends University