Communication

Hanging decorations in the Education and Communications building.
The Department of Communication is all about connection: how we express ideas, build relationships, and shape the world around us. Whether through speech, media, or nonverbal cues, students learn to communicate with clarity, purpose, and impact across cultures and contexts. With a focus on real-world skills and critical thinking, our programs prepare you for careers in everything from public relations and media to corporate communication and advocacy. In a world that runs on communication, we help you stand out.

SHARE YOUR VOICE

Every communicator's journey begins with a message. From media production to strategic communication, explore the degrees that help you inform, inspire, and connect in a rapidly changing world.
Being a strategic communications major has allowed me to experience college in a new light. From hands-on learning in the classroom to real-world experience as a content creator for Admissions, I've had the chance to apply what I’m learning in meaningful ways. This major has given me the opportunity to live out what was once just a dream, and now it’s a dream fulfilled.
Chauncy Betts, Strategic Communication ‘27
A professor having a discussion with a group of students.
Get help with any presentation or speech in a friendly, supportive space. From planning and organizing to practicing and presenting, our trained student coaches can guide you through every step. The Communication Center is here to help with citing sources, building visuals, managing nerves, and more.
A-State student speaking at podium.

A-State Debate Team

The A-State Debate Team gives you the chance to compete at debates across the region, travel with a motivated group, and develop strong communication and critical-thinking skills. As part of the team, you’ll join a welcoming community of students who are passionate about debate and eager to support you.

Information & Resources

These scholarships are available to students in programs across the School of Media and Journalism.

Deadline for all scholarship applications is February 1st.

DICK CLAY "THAT'S SPORTS" SCHOLARSHIP

The Dick Clay “That’s Sports” scholarship was established by family and friends of Dick Clay who attained his Bachelor’s Degree in 1968 and his Masters' degree in 1969 in Education. Dick was the Sports Director of KAIT-TV from 1970-1988. His nickname was “Dickie-Bird.” He closed every sports cast by saying “I’m Dick Clay and that’s sports.”

 


DR. ROBERT L. HOSKINS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

In memory of founding dean of the college, the scholarship is for a student new to the university majoring in Media and Communications. Applications are accepted in early spring.

 


MARK EUGENE CROW SCHOLARSHIP

The Mark Eugene Crow Memorial Scholarship was created by his family in loving memory of a bright light that was extinguished too soon. It is our hope that recipients of this award will use it in the same spirit of service and leadership that Mark Crow exhibited, and that each recipient will fulfill a portion of Mark’s unrealized promise in his or her own special way. Applicants should have at least 30 hours of credits and be in good academic standing with at least a 2.75 grade point average. Applicants should have a strong interest in community service and/or service to others. 

 


NANCY C. EVERITT SCHOLARSHIP

Applications for the Nancy C. Everitt Scholarship are due on April 7th. This $2900 scholarship is intended for students interested in Entrepreneurship. Students who have started their own business, or plan to have their own business in the future, should write a description of their entrepreneurial efforts and future plans. Please submit your application for the Nancy C. Everett Scholarship to either the College of Business or the College of Media and Communication.

 


WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students who are classified as racial minorities and pursuing a major in Multimedia journalism, Creative Media Production or Strategic Communications. Applications may be made at any time to the dean's office, but most scholarships are awarded in early spring for the following academic year.

 


ARKANSAS BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION TED RAND MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Each year the Arkansas Broadcasters Association awards its Ted Rand Memorial Broadcasting Scholarship to a selected Arkansas high school senior who plans to major any broadcast emphasis at Arkansas State University. The scholarship covers tuition expenses for the fall semester and is renewable to cover tuition expenses the following spring semester.

Applications for the scholarship are taken each spring. The winner is selected on the basis of his/her academic record and class standing, standardized test scores, school and community activities, recommendation by the counselor or principal, and expressed interest in broadcasting as a career. Finalists are asked to submit an audition tape recording.

Any Arkansas high school senior interested in applying for the scholarship should contact his/her local radio or TV station or high school guidance counselor in the spring, or write to the Chairman of the Department of Media at A-State. Only students in Arkansas high schools are eligible to apply for the ABA's Ted Rand Broadcasting Scholarship.

 


ARKANSAS FARM BUREAU MARVIN VINES SCHOLARSHIP

An annual award is given in honor of the late Arkansas farm broadcaster Marvin Vines to a student majoring in a broadcast emphasis at A-State. Endowed by the Arkansas Farm Bureau, the award is given each spring to a major who will be a senior the following fall semester. The amount varies but generally is about $350.

 


ARKANSAS PRESS ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP

Student must be a resident of Arkansas, express an interest in newspaper work in Arkansas and be a sophomore, junior or senior with emphasis in news-editorial, advertising or photojournalism.

 


BOBBY RUFF PRINTING SCHOLARSHIP

In honor of a long-time printing services manager and former director, this scholarship is for students majoring in Graphic Communication. Applications are accepted in early spring.

 


BONNIE THRASHER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Bonnie Thrasher Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of a beloved faculty member who devoted her life to her students and advised The Herald for more than 20 years. It is for undergraduate full-time students who have at least 30 hours completed. They must be a Journalism major who shows promise and demonstrates need. Preference is given to students who have worked for The Herald.  Recipients who are in good standing can reapply each year.

 


CHAD LEWIS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is open to all majors with an interest in a career of photojournalism, documentary sports or wildlife photography.

 


CHARLES RASBERRY SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship, established in honor of former RTV Chairman Charles Rasberry, is available to incoming freshmen. The winner is selected on the basis of his/her academic record and class standing, standardized test scores, school and community activities, recommendation by the counselor or principal, and expressed interest in broadcasting as a career.

 


CLEAT STANFILL SCHOLARSHIP

Scholarship is awarded to a student who plans to major in Radio-Television and must be a graduate from Southeast Missouri or Northeast Arkansas. Priority will be given to students from Pemiscot and Dunklin counties in Missouri at the first preference with second preference given to other Southeast Missouri Counties. Counties in Northeast Arkansas will be given third preference.

 


GRAPHIC ARTS CLUB OUTSTANDING MEMBER SCHOLARSHIP

Scholarship is awarded annually during spring semester.

 


JAY PALMER BEARD & vETA PRUETT BEARD SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is to be given to student who is at the junior or senior level and pursuing a degree in broadcast journalism. The student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Recipient is eligible to reapply provided he/she continues to meet the criteria.

 


JOHN CRAMER SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is given to students with an emphasis in broadcast journalism. This student can be a freshmen, sophomore or junior with at least a GPA of 3.0. Recipient must be committed to a career in broadcast journalism.

 


KENNETH LANE RADIO-TELEVISION SCHOLARSHIP

Scholarship given to a student who is a full-time student majoring in Department of Media.

 


KJNB-TV SCHOLARSHIP

For students pursuing a career in broadcast television with at least 30 hours of credits with a minimum of 2.5 GPA who demonstrates need. Student must submit a portfolio with application. Current recipients are eligible to receive the award again but they must reapply each year.

 


LLOYD KEITH MEHARG SCHOLARSHIP

For students majoring in Graphic Communication. Applications are accepted in early spring.

 


ROY & PAT OCKERT HERALD EDITOR SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is given to the student who is the current editor of the ASU Herald Newspaper and a new editor will be chosen each semester.

 


ROBERT KERN GRAPHIC ARTS CLUB SCHOLARSHIP

In honor of a long-time director of printing services, this scholarship is for students majoring in Graphic Communication. Applications are accepted in early spring.

 


rogers memorial scholarship

This scholarship program was created by an endowment from Mrs. J. D. Rogers of Pine Bluff in memory of her late husband. All enrolled freshmen, sophomores and juniors who are majoring in a broadcast emphasis are eligible to apply. Applications are accepted in early spring. This scholarship is awarded annually. The amount varies but generally is about $500.

 


television broadcasters of arkansas scholarship

Any A-State student majoring in broadcast emphasis who will be a junior or senior in the upcoming fall semester is eligible to apply for this scholarship worth $500. The recipient is selected on the basis of his/her academic record, college activities, and commitment to a career in broadcasting, cable or related field. Financial need is also a consideration for this scholarship.

 


tex plunkett scholarships

These two scholarships were established in honor of journalism department founder and former chair Tex Plunkett, and they are available for incoming freshmen majoring in journalism. The scholarships are based on high school academic record, recommendation of high school journalism adviser or counselor and interest in journalism as a career.

 


troutt scholarship

This scholarship is open to Journalism majors with emphasis in news-editorial or photojournalism.

 


whitehead-kimball scholarship

This scholarship is available for students who are interested in community journalism.

 


ADRIAN HEADLEY SCHOLARSHIP

Public Relations Emphasis- This scholarship is based on academic record, involvement in PR activities on and off campus, and the potential for a successful career in public relations.

 


ARTHUR RAY "KIP" MOORE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is available to speech communication majors. It is based on the financial need and GPA of the student.

 


DEBATE TEAM SCHOLARSHIPS

Students in lead positions on the Debate Team are awarded scholarships on a semester-by-semester basis.

 


MARY SUE MOORE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is available to Communication Studies majors. It is based on student GPA and financial need.

 


TROUTT SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is open to Strategic Communication majors with emphasis in Advertising.

View our enrollment numbers by degree program, retention rates, number of degrees awarded and graduation rates.

 

Enrollment by Degree Program

Fall 2020 to Fall 2024

College, Department, Degree, and Program empty table header empty table header empty table header empty table header Fall Semesters empty table header empty table header Average empty table header
Communication Media & Journalism     2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 3 Year 5 Year
Communication                  
CP Social Media Management 1 2 3 2 2 2 2
BA Communication Studies 88 72 60 53 67 60 68
BS Strategic Communication 109 96 83 72 76 77 87
GC Health Communication 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MA Communication Studies 10 10 40 50 59 50 34
MS Strategic Communication 74 73 89 80 69 79 77
Total Communication   282 253 275 257 273 268 191
Media & Journalism                  
BS Creative Media Production 119 117 104 104 112 107 111
BS Journalism 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BS Multimedia Journalism 31 29 20 11 6 12 19
MS Media Management 44 49 37 26 29 31 37
MSMC Journalism 3 6 8 3 1 4 4
MSMC Radio-TV 4 7 4 4 4 4 5
Total Media & Journalism   201 208 173 148 152 158 176
Grand Total     483 461 448 405 425 426 407
 


Degrees Awarded

Fiscal Year 2020-2021 to 2024-2025

College, Department, Degree and Program empty table header empty table header empty table header Academic Year empty table header empty table header Average empty table header
Communication Media & Journalism   2020 - 2021 2021 - 2022 2022 - 2023 2023 - 2024 2024 - 2025 3 Year 5 Year
Baccalaureate Degrees 96 103 80 75 70 75 85
Master's Degrees 67 77 108 93 104 102 90
Graduate Certificates 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total Communication   163 180 188 168 174 177 175

 



Degrees Awarded by Degree Program

Fiscal Year 2020-2021 to 2024-2025

College, Department, Degree, and Program empty table header empty table header empty table header empty table header Fall Semesters empty table header empty table header Average empty table header
Communication Media & Journalism     2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 3 Year 5 Year
Communication                  
BA Communication Studies 31 30 16 13 19 16 22
BS Strategic Communication 37 36 33 32 23 29 32
GC Health Communication 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MA Communication Studies 6 4 11 22 32 22 15
MS Strategic Communication 34 40 59 43 50 51 45
Total Communication   108 110 119 110 124 118 69
Media & Journalism                  
BS Creative Media Production 21 34 26 27 25 26 27
BS Journalism 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
BS Multimedia Journalism 6 3 5 3 3 4 4
BS Radio-TV 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MS Media Management 23 29 31 24 15 23 24
MSMC Journalism 3 0 4 2 1 2 2
MSMC Radio-TV 1 4 3 2 6 4 3
Total Media & Journalism   55 70 69 58 50 59 60
Grand Total     163 180 188 168 174 177 129
 


Success Rates by Degree Program

Fall 2019 to Fall 2023

College, Department, Degree, and Program empty table header empty table header empty table header % of Students Returning or Graduating *From Fall Semester to Fall Semester empty table header empty table header Average empty table header
Communication Media & Journalism     2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 3 Year 5 Year
Communication                  
BA Communication Studies 69.39% 76.14% 69.44% 66.67% 71.70% 69.27% 70.67%
BS Strategic Communication 88.57% 82.57% 84.37% 74.70% 83.33% 80.80% 82.71%
MA Communication Studies 100.00% 100.00% 90.00% 62.50% 50.00% 67.50% 80.50%
MS Strategic Communication 81.82% 79.73% 71.23% 65.17% 68.75% 68.38% 73.34%
Average Communication   84.94% 84.61% 78.76% 67.26% 68.45% 71.49% 76.80%
Media & Journalism                  
BS Creative Media Production 81.36% 78.99% 77.77% 78.85% 76.92% 77.85% 78.62%
BS Journalism N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
BS Multimedia Journalism 49.02% 67.74% 37.93% 45.00% 81.82% 54.92% 56.07%
MS Media Management 63.04% 65.91% 73.46% 59.46% 76.92% 69.95% 68.12%
MSMC Journalism 100.00% 66.67% 83.33% 87.50% 66.67% 79.17% 80.55%
MSMC Radio-TV 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 75.00% 100.00% 91.67% 94.44%
Average Media & Journalism   78.68% 75.86% 74.50% 69.16% 80.47% 74.71% 75.56%
Grand Total     81.81% 80.24% 76.63% 68.21% 74.46% 73.10% 76.18%
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Faculty & Staff

[departments/department='College of Liberal Arts Communication - Communication']
Jill Simons
Associate Dean
Interim Chair, Communication
(870) 972-3252
Matthew Robins
Instructor
Communication Center Director
(870) 972-2557
Sarah Scott
Associate Professor
Oral Communication Program Director
(870) 972-3280
Dr. Manu Bhandari
Associate Professor
Online (AOS) Program Coordinator for Strategic Communication and Communication Studies
(870) 972-2677
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