Bachelor of Arts, Major in Communication and Media Arts with Concentrations in Video

at University of St. Francis USA

The function of marketing is to create interest, value, and satisfaction for customers of for-profit and not-for-profit firms. It is the mechanism that matches buyers and sellers through product development, pricing, logistics and integrated marketing communications.

Marketing professionals are dynamic people with creative strengths who interact with customers to interpret their needs.

As a Marketing major, you’ll be inspired by research and development, translating products and services into terms of benefits and features that consumers will really understand. Marketing is a crucial strategic business function. USF’s Marketing degree will help you develop the tools, skills, and confidence you need to enjoy a successful and rewarding career in the field.

An added benefit, seniors who feel inspired to keep studying to obtain an MBA or M.S. degree may take graduate-level courses during their last two semesters for dual undergraduate and graduate credit. That means students can take nine graduate-level credit hours during senior year, and can complete their MBA or M.S. one year after graduating if they attend full time. See course catalog for additional details about the “3 to Degree” program.

On the front page, on the home page, on camera, or behind the microphone… these are just a few of the places you’ll find University of St. Francis Communication & Media Arts (CMMA) majors.

Communication & Media Arts is a broad field that touches on every aspect of human social behavior. Along with traditional communication theory, media writing, and broadcast/print production, you will learn about new and emerging electronic media. Digital media, wikis, video sharing, podcasts, blogs and social media are altering the way we communicate. In CMMA you will explore the fast-changing fields of advertising, public relations, journalism and broadcasting.

Students are encouraged to “jump in with both feet” from the moment they step on campus by:

• Writing articles or taking photos for the USF Encounter student news magazine
• Filling air shifts on USF’s radio station, WCSF 88.7 FM
• Creating graphics for a television or video production
• Producing on-location video news stories
• Designing websites for the community and completing real world projects
• Developing storytelling techniques for social media

The Finance degree is designed for students who intend to assume professional roles as financial managers. USF will prepare you with the knowledge, skills and tools you’ll need to be an effective manager of financial resources. A student may choose one of four concentrations that combine a traditional and certification-ready curriculum, experiential learning and practitioner-based instruction.

Finance students will learn to weigh benefits and costs by applying fundamental and advanced financial concepts in the decision making process. They will design financial spreadsheet models to solve real-world financial management problems, and will help advance the study of finance and its impact, both locally and globally, to make the world a better place.

An added benefit, seniors who feel inspired to keep studying to obtain an MBA or M.S. degree may take graduate-level courses during their last two semesters for dual undergraduate and graduate credit. That means students can take nine graduate-level credit hours during senior year, and can complete their MBA or M.S. one year after graduating if they attend full time. See course catalog for additional details about the “3 to Degree” program.

Industrial-organizational psychology is the scientific study of human behavior in organizations and the workplace. As an I-O Psychology major at USF, you’ll learn about major psychological theories and their application in human resources through hiring, training and talent development, performance appraisal, motivation and work satisfaction. You’ll also learn more about organizational communication, organizational change and development, team building and leadership, culture and diversity, safety in the workplace and more. You’ll conduct field research and assessment, and will grow your skills in literature-based research, problem solving, oral and written communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and independent learning. You’ll also enrich your commitment to values and ethics while doing research and business—guided by the values of respect, integrity, compassion and service.

Graduates will be able to apply their understanding of major psychological theories and principles in their organizations and work life. They will be prepared for entry-level job positions and graduate-level training. According to a survey, jobs in the I-O psychology field are projected to increase by 19 percent before 2024.

The Finance degree is designed for students who intend to assume professional roles as financial managers. USF will prepare you with the knowledge, skills and tools you’ll need to be an effective manager of financial resources. A student may choose one of four concentrations that combine a traditional and certification-ready curriculum, experiential learning and practitioner-based instruction.

Finance students will learn to weigh benefits and costs by applying fundamental and advanced financial concepts in the decision making process. They will design financial spreadsheet models to solve real-world financial management problems, and will help advance the study of finance and its impact, both locally and globally, to make the world a better place.

An added benefit, seniors who feel inspired to keep studying to obtain an MBA or M.S. degree may take graduate-level courses during their last two semesters for dual undergraduate and graduate credit. That means students can take nine graduate-level credit hours during senior year, and can complete their MBA or M.S. one year after graduating if they attend full time. See course catalog for additional details about the “3 to Degree” program.

The Criminal & Social Justice major at the University of St. Francis offers students an exciting alternative to a traditional criminal justice program by offering the opportunity to build a concentration in one of several specializations. The focus of the program goes beyond the criminal justice system and examines historical, social, and legal barriers to creating a more just society. Students are educated about the structure and process of the criminal justice system with a holistic, Catholic social justice perspective.

Writing skills, ethics and integrity, service and social justice are emphasized to prepare students for a profession where these traits and skills are in high demand. The program seeks to provide students with a broad liberal arts foundation challenged by Franciscan values, and engage them in the continuous pursuit of knowledge, faith, wisdom, and justice. Students will explore and understand societal issues that lead to criminal behavior, and will learn theoretical and practical knowledge of the structures, processes, and functions of the criminal justice institutions and their relationship to other social systems.

Imagine going every day to a job you love. Do you have a passion for sports? Does working with kids and families interest you? Do you love being outdoors? If so, a career in the recreation and sport management field may be for you.

Recreation and leisure are essential for strong communities and satisfying lifestyles. USF’s Recreation and Sport Management program prepares students for rewarding careers in a field that provides meaningful leisure in a variety of settings. USF’s dedicated faculty prepares students for professional leadership roles through innovative instruction, experiential learning and a personalized advising process.

As the only nationally accredited program of its kind in the Chicago suburbs, USF’s Recreation & Sport Management program produces students who are marketable across a range of job settings. Nationally, jobs in the recreation field are expected to grow faster than the average for all
occupations (United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics). Entry level salaries average at $31,650, while median salaries can range anywhere from $62,740 to $83,790, depending on titles and duties.

Concentrations

• Community Recreation & Park Resources
• Outdoor Recreation
• Recreation Therapy
• Sport Operations Management

Health care is one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S., increasing the need for qualified people to lead and manage facilities and staff. Executives must have in-depth knowledge of not only health care, but also traditional business concepts like accounting, finance, human resources, leadership and strategy.

Students will study health care delivery, management, information management, epidemiology and more. In addition, USF’s Franciscan values of respect, service, integrity, and compassion align with the values necessary for delivering exceptional patient care. This prepares students to lead with compassion and excellence in any setting.

An added benefit, seniors who feel inspired to keep studying to obtain an MBA or M.S. degree may take graduate-level courses during their last two semesters for dual undergraduate and graduate credit. That means students can take nine graduate-level credit hours during senior year, and can complete their MBA or M.S. one year after graduating if they attend full time. See course catalog for additional details about the “3 to Degree” program.

Biochemistry is the study of the molecules present and chemical processes that take place in living things. Inside a living cell, an astounding number of very carefully-regulated chemical reactions are occurring all the time. Biochemists are the individuals who work to bridge the gap between pure chemistry and biology.

The biochemistry degree is a common degree obtained by those interested in pre-health professions, especially those studying pre-dental, pre-med, pre-pharmacy and pre-physician assistant programs. It builds on the strong interdisciplinary approach in educating students, a distinctive feature of the Natural and Health Sciences Department at the University of St. Francis. Biochemists plan and conduct complex projects in basic and applied research; they manage laboratory teams and monitor the quality of their work; they research the effects of substances such as drugs, hormones, and nutrients on tissues and biological processes; they prepare technical reports, research papers, and recommendations based on their research findings and they present those findings to scientists, engineers, and other colleagues.

Radiography is an allied health profession that employs X-radiation to produce images of the human body. The B.S. in Radiography at USF is a “2+2 program.” This means participating students will complete two years of liberal and pre-professional science education courses at USF before applying for admission to a professional program at Swedish American Health System in Rockford, Illinois or Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. (Admission to the professional education component is controlled by the sponsoring hospitals.)

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median national annual wage for radiologic technologists, also known as radiographers, was $60,070 in 2017. According to the BLS, there will be a projected 13 percent rise in employment for radiographers by 2026, which is a faster-than-average growth rate compared to all occupations.

At the University of St. Francis, students benefit from small, intimate classes where they can work closely with professors. Most importantly, USF prepares students for successful careers in radiography and the allied health professions.