Mass Communications

ACEJMC Accreditation

The Department of Mass Communications is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC). ACEJMC is the agency responsible for evaluating professional journalism and mass communications programs in colleges and universities. Fewer than one in four programs nationwide hold this accreditation.

Student Learning Outcomes

All graduates of the Mass Communications program are expected to demonstrate competency in the following areas, aligned with ACEJMC Professional Values and Competencies (2025-26):

1. Apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press in a global context.
2. Demonstrate understanding of the multicultural history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications.
3. Demonstrate culturally proficient communication that empowers those traditionally disenfranchised in society, grounded in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and ability.
4. Present images and information effectively and creatively using appropriate tools and technologies.
5. Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences, and purposes they serve.
6. Demonstrate understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness, and service to all people and communities.
7. Apply critical thinking skills in conducting research and evaluating information by methods appropriate to the communications professions.
8. Effectively and correctly apply basic numerical and statistical concepts.
9. Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy, fairness, clarity, appropriate style, and grammatical correctness.
10. Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.

Assessment of Student Learning

The department assesses student learning through multiple measures aligned with the ACEJMC framework of Awareness (familiarity with facts, concepts, theories, and laws), Understanding (assimilation and comprehension), and Application (competence in relating and applying skills to tasks).

Assessment instruments include:

• Senior Exit Exam — administered at program entry (MC-201) and exit (MC-481), measuring growth across all 10 learning outcomes
• Senior Portfolio — evaluated by multiple faculty reviewers for professional competency
• Internship Evaluations — supervisor assessments of student performance in professional settings

Graduation and Retention

The Department of Mass Communications is a unit of the College of Arts and Sciences at SIUE. Students must pass two introductory courses before declaring a Mass Communications major, and most do not declare until their second year. SIUE also admits a significant number of transfer students who may declare a Mass Communications major as late as their senior year. Because of this flexibility, there is no single cohort of entering freshmen that can be tracked from entry into the major through graduation.

Diversity Statement

The Department of Mass Communications defines diversity broadly, recognizing each individual's unique internal and external characteristics as well as acknowledging that diversity is an evolving concept with multitudes of identities, perspectives, and dimensions. The department's commitment to diversity is reflected in three areas:

1. Respecting identities and experiences associated with race, age, gender, sexual orientation, physical and/or mental abilities, national origin, and ethnicity.
2. Fostering a non-discriminatory climate regardless of religion, education, socio-economic or class background, work experiences, marital or parental status, or geographical location.
3. Maintaining an inclusive work environment regardless of management status, classification, field of study, seniority/rank, and/or union affiliation.