Communication and Sociology

Undergraduate

Lynette Sharp Penya, Chair
ACU Box 28156
Abilene, Texas 79699-8156
Sherrod Building - Don Morris Center, Room 128

Phone: 325-674-2136
Email: penyal@acu.edu
Web: https://www.acu.edu/academics/college-of-arts-and-sciences/departments/communication- sociology/

Faculty

Jonathan Camp, Associate Professor
Joe Cardot, Professor
Dorothy Collins Andreas, Associate Professor
Lauren Lemley, Associate Professor
Suzanne Macaluso, Associate Professor
Daniel Morrison, Associate Professor
Sheila Ritchie, Instructor and Director of Forensics
Cynthia Roper, Professor
Lynette Sharp Penya, Professor
J.D. Wallace, Professor

Communication

The Communication program offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in communication. A minor in communication may be added to other majors. The department also offers a master’s degree in communication. For more information about this program, see the graduate section below. Click here to learn about scholarships available to entering freshmen and majors.

Introduction

Communication plays a vital role in society, permeating all social, corporate, civic, educational, and religious contexts. The ability to communicate well in oral and written formats is one of the top skills employers seek.

The focus of our discipline is on designing, communicating, and mediating messages among diverse groups in organizations and society. Graduates are especially prepared in such essential areas as team building, leadership, advocacy, and critical thinking. Students successfully completing a major in communication equip themselves for careers in a variety of fields, including business, healthcare, law, ministry, consulting, government, higher education, and nonprofits.

Three concentrations help students tailor their undergraduate experience:

Corporate and nonprofit concentration. Students who choose this concentration select from courses such as crisis management, nonprofit event communication, executive coaching, leadership, and organizational communication. These courses develop students’ business-related knowledge and skills, preparing them for a variety of careers in profit and nonprofit contexts. Potential careers include management, training, marketing, executive leadership, consulting, human resources, and public relations.
Persuasion and advocacy concentration. Students who select this concentration will develop knowledge and skills needed to influence and advocate in a variety of contexts. Courses include civil discourse, persuasion, political communication, risk communication, and health communication. These courses provide students with a wide range of advocacy experiences and a pathway into careers such as fundraising, lobbying, risk management, mediation, campaign management, social justice advocacy, and law school.
Communication studies concentration. This concentration provides the most flexible degree plan. Students choosing this concentration will develop knowledge and skills in the foundations of the communication field while sampling advanced coursework related to advocacy, interpersonal communication, and career paths for communication professionals. This generalist concentration equips students for teaching, ministry, communication roles in any workplace, and graduate education.

The department staffs and operates the ACU Speaking Center housed in the campus library. The Center provides expertise in all aspects of the creation and delivery of presentations. The services are available to all students, faculty, staff, and community members.

The department is also home to Abilene Christian University’s speech and debate team, which enjoys a long and rich tradition of excellence. The nationally-ranked team is open to all majors, and competitive scholarships are available.

Study Abroad Expectations

All students are encouraged to participate in ACU’s Study Abroad program. Classes offered at Study Abroad sites vary depending on the site. Academic advisors can assist students in planning ahead for their Study Abroad experience and should be consulted during the freshman year.

Admission Requirements

Before being admitted to the program in communication, a student must satisfy the requirements listed in the ACT/SAT Placement Information section of this catalog.

Sociology

Daniel Morrison, Director
ACU Box 28156
Abilene, Texas 79699-7890
Sherrod Building, Room 134B

Phone: 325-674-8963
Email: dan.morrison@acu.edu
Web: https://www.acu.edu/academics/undergraduate/bachelor-of-science-in-sociology/

Faculty

Suzanne Macaluso, Associate Professor
Daniel Morrison, Associate Professor

The Sociology program offers the Bachelor of Science degree in sociology. A minor in sociology may be added to other majors. Click here to learn about scholarships available to entering freshmen and majors.

Introduction

Sociology is the scientific study of social life. Few fields have such a broad scope and relevance for research, theory, and application. The department offers courses in sociological theory, social inequality, health, race and ethnicity, gender, crime and deviance, and social problems. Students who major in sociology learn to conduct research, analyze and interpret data, understand diverse cultures, critically examine the interaction of groups and societies, and write and speak skillfully.

Undergraduate courses prepare students for further graduate study and help students prepare for careers in law, medicine, business, research, education, social work, nursing, or civil service. Sociology graduates find employment in a variety of careers, including social and public services, program support management, education, marketing, sales, and social science research.

Study Abroad Expectations

Admission Requirements

Before being admitted to this program, a student must satisfy the requirements listed in the ACT/SAT Placement Information section of this catalog.

Graduate

Communication

Lynette Sharp Penya, Chair

Lauren Lemley, Graduate Director
ACU Box 28156
Abilene, Texas 79699-8156
Sherrod Building - Don Morris Center, Room 134A

Phone: 325-674-2136
Email: lauren.lemley@acu.edu
Web: https://resgrad.acu.edu/master-of-arts-in-communication

Faculty

Jonathan Camp, Associate Professor
Joe Cardot, Professor
Dorothy Collins Andreas, Associate Professor
Lauren Lemley, Associate Professor
Cindy Roper, Professor
Lynette Sharp Penya, Professor
J.D. Wallace, Professor

Introduction

Communication is the cornerstone for success in virtually every career field. To equip students with this essential foundation, the Department of Communication and Sociology offers a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communication. This degree prepares students for leadership roles in a variety of contexts, including nonprofit organizations, business, international corporations, media/public relations, churches, education, advocacy, and law or doctoral studies.

The department is committed to a diverse and integrated study of communication, preparing graduates to understand the complex nature of communication on a theoretical and practical level from local, to national, and international contexts. Topics and skills students in these programs study include crafting and analyzing persuasive messages, leading organizations through change, communicating with stakeholders during a crisis, conducting successful focus groups, working with individuals and companies from diverse cultures, organizing and leading trainings, representing an organization on social media, writing and analyzing survey data, and understanding how to construct and lead productive groups and teams.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for an M.A. in communication are:

A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent;
A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
Two letters of recommendation;
A satisfactory GRE score;
An essay describing the applicant’s purpose for pursuing a graduate degree in communication;
A writing sample representing high quality work (e.g. term paper) by the applicant.

Programs

Master of Arts

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Science

Minor

Courses

Anthropology

Communication

Sociology