Starting this fall, our students will be able to earn a bachelor's degree in Communication as the university responds to national and university trends.

The degree features concentrations in Journalism with Public Relations and News Editorial options and a speech concentration. Earl Hutchison, director of Journalism, says the change is an encouraging step toward strengthening the identity of the Communication program.

"We know admissions receives a significant number of students who want to major in Communication, and this is a response to that need," says Hutchison. "There are presently more than 80 majors earning a degree through our current program, and we anticipate that number will grow as a result of this new degree."

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, oral communication skills appear among the skills most lacking in new college graduates.

A Career Services report showed Tennessee Tech is a part of this trend, revealing a need for graduates to develop stronger communications skills.

"I think that the university has an opportunity for growth by developing the communications program," says Kurt Eisen, English Department chairperson.
Hutchison says building a stronger communications program is vital to raising the skill level of graduates.

"This program already offers unlimited potential for hands-on experience with our campus newspaper, radio station, television production facilities and on-campus public television station," says Hutchison. "We have alumni working in high-profile media outlets and attending prestigious graduate schools.

"This new degree gives us a more readily identifiable profile than the former English-Journalism degree and helps to better meet the needs of students," he says.