Bachelor of Arts, Major in Communication and Media Arts

at University of St. Francis USA

The Criminal & Social Justice major at the University of St. Francis offers students an exciting alternative to a traditional criminal justice program by offering the opportunity to build a concentration in one of several specializations. The focus of the program goes beyond the criminal justice system and examines historical, social, and legal barriers to creating a more just society. Students are educated about the structure and process of the criminal justice system with a holistic, Catholic social justice perspective.

Writing skills, ethics and integrity, service and social justice are emphasized to prepare students for a profession where these traits and skills are in high demand. The program seeks to provide students with a broad liberal arts foundation challenged by Franciscan values, and engage them in the continuous pursuit of knowledge, faith, wisdom, and justice. Students will explore and understand societal issues that lead to criminal behavior, and will learn theoretical and practical knowledge of the structures, processes, and functions of the criminal justice institutions and their relationship to other social systems.

Biochemistry is the study of the molecules present and chemical processes that take place in living things. Inside a living cell, an astounding number of very carefully-regulated chemical reactions are occurring all the time. Biochemists are the individuals who work to bridge the gap between pure chemistry and biology.

The biochemistry degree is a common degree obtained by those interested in pre-health professions, especially those studying pre-dental, pre-med, pre-pharmacy and pre-physician assistant programs. It builds on the strong interdisciplinary approach in educating students, a distinctive feature of the Natural and Health Sciences Department at the University of St. Francis. Biochemists plan and conduct complex projects in basic and applied research; they manage laboratory teams and monitor the quality of their work; they research the effects of substances such as drugs, hormones, and nutrients on tissues and biological processes; they prepare technical reports, research papers, and recommendations based on their research findings and they present those findings to scientists, engineers, and other colleagues.

This major offers a comprehensive approach to studio art, photography and graphic design. Students may immerse them­selves in a variety of traditional and contemporary media, taught by practicing artists with local, national and international professional experience. Learning takes place in a state-of-the-art facility that’s unmatched in the region, offering dedicated spaces for a variety of media such as ceramics, digital arts, graphic design, photography, printmaking, studio arts, video editing and woodshop.

Classes are small (usually ranging from 8–15 students), giving each student the opportunity to develop enriching educational relationships with classmates and professors. The Art & Design department emphasizes the importance of blending the faculty’s professional experience with the students’ understanding of contemporary aesthetics and their development of ambitious studio practice.

Graphic Design:
Addresses a traditional design core coupled with digital, portfolio, and seminar courses for preparation to work as a design professional.

The Master of Science Degree in Health Administration (M.S.) program at the University of St. Francis is designed for students who have knowledge and experience in specific areas of health care and are seeking a broader understanding of the field.

While the program is offered in a convenient format, the content is rigorous. The curriculum includes both the theories of management and its practical application in the health care field. Sound administrative skills—systematic, critical and open-minded investigation of literature and data for the solution of challenging problems—are essential for professionals preparing for increasingly significant roles in today’s society.

Imagine going every day to a job you love. Do you have a passion for sports? Does working with kids and families interest you? Do you love being outdoors? If so, a career in the recreation and sport management field may be for you.

Recreation and leisure are essential for strong communities and satisfying lifestyles. USF’s Recreation and Sport Management program prepares students for rewarding careers in a field that provides meaningful leisure in a variety of settings. USF’s dedicated faculty prepares students for professional leadership roles through innovative instruction, experiential learning and a personalized advising process.

As the only nationally accredited program of its kind in the Chicago suburbs, USF’s Recreation & Sport Management program produces students who are marketable across a range of job settings. Nationally, jobs in the recreation field are expected to grow faster than the average for all
occupations (United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics). Entry level salaries average at $31,650, while median salaries can range anywhere from $62,740 to $83,790, depending on titles and duties.

Concentrations

• Community Recreation & Park Resources
• Outdoor Recreation
• Recreation Therapy
• Sport Operations Management

The Nuclear Medicine Technology program at the University of St. Francis combines chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer technology, and biology in using radioactivity to diagnose and treat disease. Nuclear medicine uniquely provides information about both the structure and function of virtually every major organ system within the body. And the best part? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2017 median pay for nuclear medicine technologists was $75,660 per year. The bureau also estimates employment for nuclear medicine technologists to increase by 10% by 2026, which is faster than the average growth for all occupations. In other words, it’s a great time to study nuclear medicine technology!

Classes at the University of St. Francis are small, with an average class consisting of about 16 students. That means you’ll be part of an intimate community of students and work closely with professors, allowing for deeper learning. It’s the ideal environment for a budding nuclear medicine technologist, and this major is recommended for anyone interested in pursuing a career in the allied health profession.

This flexible major allows students to take a variety of courses that would not ordinarily be combined for a traditional major. An essay outlining the student’s academic goals and proposed course groupings will be required prior to admission. The document must then be approved by the Dean of the College Arts & Sciences before the student can become a Liberal Studies major.

Business analytics refers to the skills, technologies, practices for continuous iterative exploration and investigation of past business performance to gain insight and drive business planning. Business analytics focuses on developing new insights and understanding of business performance based on data and statistical methods.

Business analytics depends on data quality, the skill of analysts who understand the technologies and the business, and an organizational commitment to using data to gain insights that inform business decisions. Business analytics makes extensive
use of analytical modeling and numerical analysis, including explanatory and predictive modeling, and fact-based management to drive decision making.  Analytics may be used as input for human decisions or may drive fully automated decisions.

Business Analytics is a growing degree at most universities and is needed in the business environment. Students need Business Analytics programs and courses to support their business success in the marketplace while they identify and analyze patterns in data via visualization, statistical analysis, and data analytics.

Business Analytics (B.S.) Business analytics is the iterative, methodical exploration of an organization’s data, with an emphasis on statistical analysis. Business analytics is used to make data-informed decisions. Business analytics depends on data quality, skilled analysts who understand the technologies and the business, and an organizational commitment to using data to gain insights that inform business decisions. Business analytics makes extensive use of analytical modeling and numerical analysis, including explanatory and predictive modeling, and fact-based management to drive decision making. Analytics may be used as input for human decisions or may drive fully automated decisions.

The Master of Science Degree in Health Administration (M.S.) program at the University of St. Francis is designed for students who have knowledge and experience in specific areas of health care and are seeking a broader understanding of the field.

While the program is offered in a convenient format, the content is rigorous. The curriculum includes both the theories of management and its practical application in the health care field. Sound administrative skills—systematic, critical and open-minded investigation of literature and data for the solution of challenging problems—are essential for professionals preparing for increasingly significant roles in today’s society.

On the front page, on the home page, on camera, or behind the microphone… these are just a few of the places you’ll find University of St. Francis Communication & Media Arts (CMMA) majors.

Communication & Media Arts is a broad field that touches on every aspect of human social behavior. Along with traditional communication theory, media writing, and broadcast/print production, you will learn about new and emerging electronic media. Digital media, wikis, video sharing, podcasts, blogs and social media are altering the way we communicate. In CMMA you will explore the fast-changing fields of advertising, public relations, journalism and broadcasting.

Students are encouraged to “jump in with both feet” from the moment they step on campus by:

• Writing articles or taking photos for the USF Encounter student news magazine
• Filling air shifts on USF’s radio station, WCSF 88.7 FM
• Creating graphics for a television or video production
• Producing on-location video news stories
• Designing websites for the community and completing real world projects
• Developing storytelling techniques for social media

Concentrations

• Advertising & Marketing
• Audio
• Journalism & Public Communication
• Media Studies
• Video
• Visual Communication