Dynamic Careers in Media
Waldorf’s communication program will prepare you for many exciting positions within the communications industry. We combine a liberal arts education with specific job skills that serve the greater community. Waldorf will help you improve your proficiency in written and verbal communication, visual literacy and multimedia skills.
The bachelor’s program began in 1993 when professors David Damm and Mark Newcom created a bachelor’s program in communications at Waldorf University. Using their professional media experience and research into successful programs from throughout the country, the professors built a strong program based on several key ingredients:
Experienced faculty members: Waldorf’s communication professors have been real-world professionals in a variety of fields such as a print journalism, videography and graphic design, before joining the university faculty.
Hands-on teaching: Waldorf requires completion of client-based projects during the program. Primarily service-oriented, these projects are typically for non-profit or religious organizations that cannot afford professional communications support, and include web sites, brochures, news releases, and videos. Past work includes videos for Iowa Lieutenant Governor’s Committee on Diversity, the state penitentiary system (Church of the Damascus Road), centennial and recruiting videos for Waldorf University, pastoral support for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and campaign videos for the United Way.
State-of-the-art technology: Waldorf prides itself in making the latest technology available to you in the communications program. You will work in a well-equipped multimedia lab, an all-digital radio station and a professional television studio. Waldorf also has a regularly updated online campus newspaper, The Lobbyist, and a student magazine, The Torch, which is published twice a semester.
Practical experience: The department sponsors social opportunities throughout the academic year, so that you can interact with those closer to graduation. In the past, activities have included cosmic bowling, department barbecue, a Christmas open house and mini-golf. Mentor relationships are also fostered through campus media (The Lobbyist, The Torch, KZOW, Wal-TV) where upper division students serve in leadership roles, fully managing each of these campus media. Leadership includes conducting meetings, encouraging or disciplining staff, and navigating budgetary decisions.
Media internship: In order to enhance students’ real-world experience, the program requires completion of at least one professional internship, and highly recommends a second. Students have had internships locally, regionally and nationally. Some of the companies students worked with in the past are: the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; Access Hollywood; Fox Sports Boston; the Ames Tribune (Iowa); KWWL-TV; WPLJ 95.5 in New York City; the Salvation Army and Voice of America.
Four-year degree format: Waldorf’s Bachelor of Arts degree in communications is offered in the traditional four-year format.
Elective Concentrations
Digital Media
Graphic Design
Journalism
Public Relations