ACEJMC Accreditation
The Department of Mass Communications is accredited by the highly selective Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC).
Mission Statement
The Department of Mass Communications at SIUE is committed to free expression and providing students with opportunities to meaningfully engage with the world around them through liberal arts education and professional skills development. We foster creative, critical and independent thinking. We teach our students to tell compelling stories about people and communities that are fair, truthful, and accurate. We encourage students to be self-directed and entrepreneurial in an evolving media landscape. Students learn diverse perspectives, ethical practices, and a respect for democratic principles that guide media industries.
The Department of Mass Communications is a unit of the College of Arts and Sciences at SIUE. Students must first pass two introductory courses to declare themselves a department major. Most, therefore, do not declare until their second year. Additionally, SIUE admits a significant number of transfer students who can declare a Mass Communications major as late as their senior year. Because of the flexibility that an SIUE education offers, there is no cohort of entering freshmen who can be tracked from entry into the major through graduation.
Strategic Priorities, Goals and Objectives
Our department's core mission centers on delivering exceptional academic programs to prepare students for success in their chosen fields. Our unwavering commitment includes fostering an intellectually enriching environment, offering outstanding courses, and delivering superior teaching quality. To support this commitment, we continuously invest in faculty development, support services, and cutting-edge resources, embracing technology to enhance the teaching and learning experience. Our emphasis on cultivating a robust research culture involves increased research activities integrated into student learning, driving knowledge and creativity forward. Prioritizing resources for research objectives and competitive endeavors is paramount. We also concentrate on building strong internal and external relationships to enrich the experiences of faculty, staff, and students, contributing to a vibrant college community. Values like diversity, equity, leadership, and service are integral, ensuring equitable access for a rich academic experience. Above all, we are dedicated to fostering a learning environment that champions these values within the college community, thereby preparing students for success in our dynamically evolving global society.
Strategic Plan
Diversity Statement
The Department of Mass Communications supports the definition of diversity adopted by the university and the college. The Department 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. Specifically, the Department’s commitment to diversity is reflected in the following three areas:
- Respecting identities and experiences associated with race, age, gender, sexual orientation, physical and/or mental abilities, national origin and ethnicity;
- Fostering a non-discriminatory climate regardless of religion, education, socio-economic or class background, work experiences, martial or paternal status, or geographical location;
- Maintaining an inclusive work environment regardless of management status, classification, field of study, seniority/rank, and/or union affiliation.
Plan for Advancing a Culturally Proficient Workforce
Undergraduate Assessment of Learning Outcomes
The Department of Mass Communications adapted the ACEJMC values and competencies into the department’s goals for learning. These learning objectives built the basis for our subsequent assessments that ensure that the graduates acquire the knowledge and skills critical to their career success and life-long learning and growth.
Assessment Plan
