Communication, Film & Theatre

The School of Communication, Film & Theatre offers bachelor’s degrees in Film & Digital Media Production, Film & Digital Media Studies, Multimedia Journalism, Organizational Leadership, Public Relations and Theatre Arts. The school also offers Associate of Arts pathways in Communication, Film & Digital Media, and Theatre, each of which prepares students to enter one of our bachelor’s programs. CFT’s minors in Communication, Film Production, Game Studies, Journalism, Media Studies, Public Relations, and Theatre complement UNG’s many other majors. Our degrees provide a strong interdisciplinary grounding in the liberal arts and prepare students for careers in digital media production, filmmaking, journalism, public relations, organizational leadership, other communication-related professions, or theatre, or further study at the graduate level. All of CFT’s bachelor’s degrees are only offered in person on the UNG-Gainesville campus. Our Organizational Leadership and Public Relations programs are also offered fully online.

The Bachelor of Science in Film & Digital Media with a concentration in Production is a hands-on program that provides students with an understanding of motion pictures as a form of expression, experience in all phases of the production process, and awareness of how to succeed in the industry. The program of study requires students to become competent in all aspects of production and develop expertise in a specialization, such as directing, screenwriting, producing, editing, cinematography, audio production, or visual effects. Graduates will be ready to step directly into the workforce or use the degree as preparation for a graduate program.

The Bachelor of Science in Film & Digital Media with a concentration in Media Studies focuses on media literacy and intensive study of the history, critical theory, and cultural studies of film, television, animation, video games, web-based publication, social media, podcasting, and other forms of digital content. Our program offers students a uniquely interdisciplinary approach, with hands-on courses giving them creative experience of their own in addition to critical knowledge of the history behind media industries and their impact on culture and society. Graduating students are equipped with skills in media history research, writing, and analysis, and they are well-prepared for positions in media curation, content creation, archival work, interactive media, graduate school, and more.

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in Organizational Leadership combines the development of essential leadership skills such as critical thinking, effective speaking, decision-making, and problem-solving with the practical application of organizational communication theory. Organizational Leadership students develop outstanding communication skills and leadership abilities and understand how to adapt to various cultural and organizational contexts.The fully online option allows students the flexibility to earn their degree while maintaining a proper school-work-life balance

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in Multimedia Journalism is a forward-thinking program where students get the opportunity for hands-on experience in news gathering, news writing, reporting, video and multimedia production, photography, radio and podcasting, social media content development and much more. Journalism students build a foundation in ews judgment, professional ethics and the principles of responsible journalism. The Multimedia Journalism program sets students on the path for a journalism career online, on camera or behind the scenes creating, delivering and managing content for a range of media platforms.

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations prepares graduates to work in various sectors of public relations, which the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) defines as “a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics.” CFT’s Public Relations program adheres to the higher education guidelines set by the PRSA, balancing liberal arts and social science education with applied coursework that provides opportunities for students to put knowledge into practice and develop career-building skills. The fully online option allows students the flexibility to earn their degree while maintaining a proper school-work-life balance.

The BFA in Theatre Arts degree program consists of a one hundred twenty (120) semester hour sequence designed to prepare students to work professionally in the entertainment industry (film, theatre, TV, other media). It is a comprehensive degree with 78 credits in Theatre Arts required. An additional 42 credits are taken in the Core IMPACTS coursework.

The Minor in Journalism provides a foundation in journalism skills, ethics, and practice to students who wish to major in other subject areas.

The Minor in Film Production teaches aesthetic principles and media literacy while guiding students through all phases of narrative film production, from conception and planning to post-production.

The Minor in Public Relations teaches students the basics of strategic communication processes, primarily focusing on writing and creating campaigns.

The Minor in Communication complements any major program of study by developing students’ communication skills and their awareness of how the various areas of the communication field interrelate.

The Associate of Arts pathway in Communication provides students with grounding in interpersonal and speech communication theories. This program is designed to prepare students for the Bachelor of Arts in Communication.

The Associate of Arts pathway in Film & Digital Media introduces students to broadcast, video and sound production, filmmaking, and media analysis. This program is designed to prepare students for the Bachelor of Science in Film & Digital Media.

The AA in Theatre prepares students for further study in Theatre or a related field within a four-year degree program; it may also stand as an independent, two-year degree. The 60-credit program consists of 42 credits in Core IMPACTS course work, and 18 credits in foundation Theatre courses.

The School of Communication, Film & Theatre supports several student organizations and events that provide opportunities for personal and professional growth, including our internationally competitive Debate, Forensics, Interpretation Team, the Spanish-Speaking Debate Tournament, Vanguard Student Media, the Georgia Film Festival, the Student Film Association, the Public Relations Student Society of America, and Lambda Pi Eta, the national honor society for communication majors.

In most of our programs, no grade below a C will be accepted in the major or minor area, including any classes offered by the school.

Most of our bachelor’s majors are required to take the Senior Capstone in their final semester. The content of this course varies depending on the student’s major and career goals, but all students must demonstrate an appropriate degree of content mastery, professionalism, and career readiness. Students will also complete a capstone project tailored to their specialization.

CFT offers numerous courses that satisfy Core IMPACTS requirements:

• COMM 1503 Intercultural Communication satisfies the Global Course requirement in Core IMPACTS Institution.

• MDST 2150 Literature and Film satisfies the Core IMPACTS Humanities Literature requirement.

• COMM 2050 Media, Culture, and Society satisfies the Core IMPACTS Humanities Fine Arts or Philosophy requirement.

• COMM 1110 Public Speaking satisfies the Core IMPACTS Humanities Fine Arts or Philosophy requirement.

• MDST 1110 Film Appreciation satisfies the Core IMPACTS Humanities Fine Arts or Philosophy requirement.

• THEA 1100 Theatre Appreciation satisfies the Core IMPACTS Humanities Fine Arts or Philosophy requirement.

Programs

Associate of Arts

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Theatre Arts (B.F.A.)

Bachelor of Science

Minor