Mission Statement


Provide students with educational excellence in an experiential learning environment leading to an understanding of the role of mass media in a diverse democratic society, while teaching critical thinking, and the ethical use of traditional and new media.

Program Objectives


  • To teach journalism and public relations by building upon a solid liberal arts foundation, while providing students with analytical and assertive information-gathering skills, and the ability to write clearly and quickly on complex topics.

  • To instill students with a sense of commitment to see that democratic processes in society are served by the timely disclosure of quality information to the reading, viewing and listening public.

  • To demonstrate the value of diversity among faculty, students, staff and community while preparing future citizens, media professionals and leaders who appreciate the value of diversity.

  • To provide a learning community that celebrates diversity and a curriculum that encourages a thoughtful and sensitive examination of the diversity of our regional, national and global communities.


  • Learning Objectives


  • To provide students with a firm liberal arts education and high quality professional training, in keeping with national standards for accrediting journalism and public relations programs.

  • To provide students with courses on writing, editing, research and critical thinking in every sequence in the department.

  • To enhance communication skills in writing and critical thinking so that students may use these skills in media, public relations, public affairs and graduate study.

  • To provide students with the knowledge of the technological means of producing and communicating meaningful content as citizens, media professionals, leaders and educators.


  • Assessment Measures


  • Periodic review of national accreditation standards for journalism and public relations programs.

  • Annual review of program by Professional Advisory Committee.

  • Review by Pacific Northwest Newspaper Association evaluators every four years.

  • Review of student performance (e.g. exams, papers, publications, presentations, assignments, etc.)

  • Review of student course evaluations quarterly.

  • Responses from student supervisors during internship program.

  • Faculty visits to internship locations quarterly.

  • Senior exit interviews.

  • Awards to student media in competitive local, regional and national judging.

  • Student graduation and retention rates.

  • Focus groups with majors to gain feedback on program.

  • Survey of student publications staff members and editors.


  • Assessment Results: Continuous Improvement


  • Our assessment measures are used to enhance and improve our program to meet student needs and needs of the profession.