Industry leaders agree that excellent communication skills are critical for success in today’s global marketplace. The Communication Department at Florida Southern College prepares students for successful careers in a variety of challenging fields in professional communication.

FSC’s Communication Department has over 150 students, majoring in advertising, news media, or public relations, making it the third largest department on campus. In addition, communication courses enable students to develop effective professional writing and public speaking skills, and work hands-on with industry standard software and technology. Communication majors graduate prepared with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in industry or advanced education.

Florida Southern College students take courses or major in communication for the strong pre-professional experiences and wide variety of departmental offerings.

Variety of course offerings----Choose from courses ranging from desktop publishing to online media, to principles of public relations to special topics, including political communication, crisis communication, organizational communication, principles of advertising, media buying, news reporting, and broadcast communication. Plus, students have the opportunity to work with actual clients in the advertising and public relations classes.

Highly qualified faculty---Interact with faculty who are specialists in the academic and professional world. They keep up-to-date on industry trends in order to prepare students for a professional career or graduate study. Beyond their teaching roles at FSC, department faculty have held offices in national organizations, worked as consultants for various profit and non-profit groups, adjudicated professional and student work across the country, and owned their own businesses.

Relevant hands-on experience: Gain real-world experience through required internships at sites including newspapers, radio stations, TV stations, advertising and public relations agencies, communication departments of private companies, and public service agencies. In recent years, our students have interned at ESPN, through the Dow Jones Center of Editing Excellence with the Hartford Courant, America’s oldest newspaper, the Tallahassee Democrat, and The Tampa Bay Rays, the Anson Stoner Advertising Agency, WTVT-TV Fox13, Tampa, The Lakeland Center, Polk County Sports Marketing, United Way, City of Lakeland, Spirit FM 90.5, and WESH-TV Channel 2, Orlando. You’ll also be encouraged to participate in a study abroad program to enhance your ability to communicate in a multicultural world.

Helpful resources: Students gain valuable experience by working on The Southern (newspaper), the Interlachen (yearbook), or on the FSC News Network—MOC 7 TV. Students have access to industry standard software programs, a large network of alumni, and active professional organizations including the Florida Public Relations Association, the American Advertising Federation, and the National Communication Association.

Excellent outcomes: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook college graduates with internship experience, creative abilities, strong communication skills and knowledge of industry software and technology will be best suited for positions in the rapidly expanding professional communication industry. At Florida Southern College, communication majors graduate ready to achieve their full potential.

To learn more about the communication program, contact Dr. Christopher Fenner, Assistant Professor of Communication and Department Program Coordinator at 863-680-4158 or e-mail cfenner@flsouthern.edu.