Why Communication or Journalism?

Faculty

Our faculty is nationally and internationally recognited for scholarship, artistry and service. Recognition includes fellowships, awards and grants from the Fulbright Program, Rockefeller Foundation, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, National Communication Association and many others. We have also received numerous awards for teaching and student engagement.

Experiential Learning

You engage with our faculty in projects beyond the classroom such as:

  • Advertising and public relations campaigns
  • Research assistant
  • Film festival planning
  • Video production projects
  • Website design
  • In-class peer mentoring
  • Speech performance, including forensics and debate
  • Social media campaigns

Career Preparation

You also gain writing and verbal communication skills that are essential for success in all professions. Learn critical thinking along with performance skills such as presentation preparation and public address skills. Our students frequently report for the Northern Star, NIU’s award-winning student newspaper.

Our alumni have gone on to successful careers with position titles including:

  • Social media manager
  • Reporter/Correspondent
  • Producer
  • Consultant
  • Director of Communications
  • Editor
  • Attorney/Paralegal
  • Web developer
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Professor/Teacher
  • Marketing Manager
  • Sales Manager
  • Photojournalist

Small Class Sizes

Most of our major classes are 30 seats or less, which offers the opportunity for peer mentoring, intensive writing assignments and faculty/student relationships.

Location

Approximately 65 miles west of Chicago, we offer proximity to the Chicagoland region, the Naperville Corridor and Rockford while providing the enriching opportunities of a four-year public university. This proximity gives you an array of diverse and enriching internship experiences for many organizations and corporations and the opportunity to network in a professional setting.

 

Contact Us

Department of Communication
Watson Hall 210
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-753-1563
815-753-7109 (Fax)

Mehdi Semati, Ph.D.
Department Chair
815-753-7028
msemati@niu.edu

Laura Vazquez, Ph.D.
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Watson Hall 213
815-753-7107
lvazquez@niu.edu