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Communication and Media Practice Major

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).

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 then have the freedom to spend more time honing their skills in the areas that most interest them.
  • Students in the communication department have the opportunity to film newscasts, write for the ViewFinder magazine and much more, providing experiences and developing skill sets for their career.
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
Career Options

Career options for graduates are broad, exciting and ever-changing. Recent grads are working as:

  • Communication Manager
  • Videographer
  • Marketing Coordinator
  • Director of Communication
  • Content Manager
  • Graphic Designer
  • News Anchor
  • Technical Writer
  • News Producer
  • News Editor
  • Senior Copywriter
  • Sports Information Director
  • Magazine Editor
  • Social Media Manager

What Can I Do With This Major?

Course Requirements
Download Degree Checklist
Student Testimonials

Dayne LoganDayne Logan

“Dad. Teacher. Writer. These are all words that can be used to describe Dayne Logan, communications professor and department chair. However, most of the department views him as human. During my years at Grand View, I have witnessed Professor Logan create meaningful relationships with nearly all his students. Inside and outside of the classroom, he truly cares about us as people. He advises us through not only classes, but through life. He even advises students who were not assigned to him, such as myself. Professor Logan is always honest with us, which allows us to grow and become better. Even with a busy schedule, Professor Logan figures out a way to make room in his schedule for all students. Whether its walking and talking with him in the hallway or having an hourlong conversation in his office, he prioritizes his students and their education. He is a prime example of going above and beyond the job description of a teacher. In fact, he has inspired me to want to teach at the college level. All of these reasons and then some, are why I am nominating him.” - Mikayla Morris

 

KC McGinnisKC 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

GV Degree Combinations

You may also be interested in one or more of the following:

Awards and Accomplishments

Award-winning Student Media

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 Online Edition
  • Best Online Video
  • Best Use of Social Media
  • 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

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. Professor of Practice Dayne Logan writes and edits for clients such as Allstate Insurance, Scheels Sporting Goods, HyVee and Mittera Corporation.

 

Viewfinder Media

Viewfinder Media is a YouTube channel with video content produced by students in the Communication department.

Student Center

Launch Student Center