School of Arts & Sciences – Assessment Plan
BA – Communications Major—Journalism Concentration
School Of Arts and Sciences Mission Statement
The School of Arts and Sciences engages the University’s intellectual community in the full richness and depth
of the human experience. SAS provides a common, cohesive understanding of the foundations and directions
of human thought as represented in the liberal arts and sciences and develops the skills to form and
communicate ideas, beliefs, and knowledge for all Tiffin University students. SAS offers majors grounded in
the arts and sciences that develop within each student the intellectual skills and abilities required for a
successful professional career or admission to graduate school.
Program Rationale / Purpose Statement
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications offers students a thorough grounding in communication
theory, practice and ethics along with practical knowledge and skills for majors interested in journalism. Three
complimentary interests drive the degree program:
1. To offer communication curricula that is aligned with Tiffin University’s mission of offering professional
education.
2. To offer major and minor concentrations that give students the professional and technical skills they need for
employment opportunities across different communication fields.
3. To develop solid oral, written and electronic communication skills for its majors and students taking
communications courses to fulfill university requirements.
Market / Recruitment Target Statement
The communications program seeks to recruit students who want to major in one of the three areas of
communication offered at Tiffin while receiving a comprehensive general education in a small university
environment. As a professionally focused major, the faculty strives to link communication theory with practice
so students will be prepared to enter the field with the knowledge and skills to be successful. The strength of
the program is in its ability to offer students individual attention in an atmosphere where they can interact, grow
and develop as communicators in a close-knit and dynamic educational community.
Goals of the Program / Corresponding Classes
Students will understand and demonstrate acceptable writing
skills appropriate to contemporary journalism practices.
Students will understand and recognize theories of mass
communication.
COM 218 – News Writing
COM 235 – Sports Writing for
Marketing and Promotions
COM 318 – Feature Writing
COM 410 – Advanced Reporting
ENG 262 - Editing
COM 438 – History and Tradition of
American Journalism
COM 450 – Critical Analysis of Mass
Media
Intended Outcomes / Assessment Criteria
Intended Outcome 1:
Students will understand and demonstrate acceptable writing skills appropriate to contemporary journalism
practices.
Assessment Criteria:
Students will develop their writing skills for their professional foundations courses in COM 218 or COM 235 or
COM 318 or COM 410 or ENG 262. This will be demonstrated by 80% of students achieving a “B” or higher
on their final project in COM 218 or COM 235 or COM 318 or COM 410 or ENG 262.
Intended Outcome 2:
Students will understand and recognize theories of mass communication.
Assessment Criteria:
Students will compare and contrast mass communication theories in COM 438 or
COM 450. At least 80% of students will receive a “B” or higher on the final project in COM 438 or COM 450.