Bachelor of Arts, Major in Communication and Media Arts with Concentrations in Visual Communication

at University of St. Francis USA

At the University of St. Francis, theology is approached as a science of faith whereby reason inquires into divinely revealed truth. Theology prepares a student to better understand his or her faith and therefore better serve the Church and live that faith. Rooted in tradition, the study of theology helps students answer the fundamental questions of human existence, providing a foundation upon which one can deal with the spiritual and ethical questions of the modern world.

USF theology majors receive a firm foundation in the basic knowledge and awareness regarding the religious nature of the human person in relationship to God. In this pursuit, students will gain a broad exposure into the history of religious expression and belief, particularly that of the Roman Catholic Church.

Emphasis is on Scripture, tradition, Catholic Church doctrine, and the application of ethics and morality to everyday life. While the focus is on Roman Catholicism, the interrelationships with other Christian denominations and non-Christian religions are also pursued in a spirit of ecumenism.

Concentrations

• Pastoral Ministry
• Teaching Ministry

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.

Photography:
Designed to secure students introductory to upper level knowledge in photography application, practices, history, and theory. The primary goal of this concentration is to prepare the student for a career in a photography related position.

USF’s MSW program is designed for working professionals because it offers convenient evening, weekend and online classes. Full-time students can expect to complete the degree in two years or four semesters. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program may be eligible for advanced standing and should anticipate one academic year for completion. Part-time options are also available.

Benefits
Now more than ever, a Master of Social Work degree is critical to professional success in the social work field. Those earning an MSW degree have increased professional competency and job satisfaction, along with opportunities for career advancement. The field has shown an increased demand for individuals with the MSW degree, making it a must in today’s competitive market.

The Finance degree is designed for students who intend to assume professional roles as financial managers. USF will prepare you with the knowledge, skills and tools you’ll need to be an effective manager of financial resources. A student may choose one of four concentrations that combine a traditional and certification-ready curriculum, experiential learning and practitioner-based instruction.

Finance students will learn to weigh benefits and costs by applying fundamental and advanced financial concepts in the decision making process. They will design financial spreadsheet models to solve real-world financial management problems, and will help advance the study of finance and its impact, both locally and globally, to make the world a better place.

An added benefit, seniors who feel inspired to keep studying to obtain an MBA or M.S. degree may take graduate-level courses during their last two semesters for dual undergraduate and graduate credit. That means students can take nine graduate-level credit hours during senior year, and can complete their MBA or M.S. one year after graduating if they attend full time. See course catalog for additional details about the “3 to Degree” program.

The USF science faculty is committed to the success of Biology majors, which is proven by the fact that more than 97 percent of natural science students obtain employment or enter graduate school within six months of graduating. The new LaVerne and Dorothy Brown Science Hall offers a unique, state-of-the-art learning environment where students will have top scientific labs, tools and resources at their fingertips and interaction with faculty and peers is made more effective through the clustering of programs in the building.

As a biology major, you will use biological models and simulation to understand complex biological systems. A main goal of the Biology program is to enable students to use the scientific method to formulate testable hypotheses, design appropriate experiments, analyze quantitative and qualitative data and draw appropriate conclusions in biological sciences.

You’ll do research and report on your findings using scientific literature. Through your courses, you’ll integrate and relate information from biology, chem­istry, physics, mathematics, and the liberal arts to make meaningful connections to society and the natural world and to apply this knowledge to new situations.

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.

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

The Master of Business Administration, or MBA, is the most popular educational path for graduate students in the United States. It is popular because of its value in business, industry, non-profit organizations, and public institutions. Chicago MBA

The USF Master of Business Administration (MBA) is available entirely online or in a hybrid program (with a mix of online and on-campus courses), depending on your needs. It is a competitive, technologically focused, global approach to management and business.

USF’s relevant and on-trend curriculum focuses on:

• Global and competitive challenges
• The value chain of business
• Analytical thinking
• Leadership and decision making

USF’s Supply Chain Management degree prepares students to solve problems and meet organizational goals in settings including business logistics, distribution, supply chain management and domestic and international transportation management.

Supply Chain Managers are responsible for the entire chain of supply for a business, creating and delivering the products and services to the customer. This strategic and tactical functional area is critical to business success, working with marketing to meet customer needs and expectations. Supply Chain Management includes demand planning, supplier management, manufacturing, operations, logistics, transportation and distribution. This degree prepares students to solve problems and meet organizational goals in settings including supply chain management, business logistics, and domestic and international transportation management.

Best yet, USF’s Joliet location in Will County is home of North America’s largest inland port. This transportation hub area has eight major rail lines, important truck freight distribution routes, and extensive warehouse and distribution facilities. Logistics and related businesses are the county’s third largest employer, with continuing growth expected. In the U.S., supply chain jobs encompass over one third of all employment (HBR 2018).

As an International Business major, you’ll develop strategic and critical thinking skills through a degree that combines courses in business, foreign language, and area studies. Courses are designed to enhance a student’s marketability to a variety of global organizations. Students are encouraged to study abroad to maximize their learning.

As you study, you’ll learn about currency exchange, global capital investment strategies, global strategy development, financial planning and cultural/gender issues in business. You’ll create an integrated global marketing communication plan, including strategies and measures of effectiveness across all mediums. Finally, you’ll collect, process and analyze data to better understand database management and marketing.

International business students at USF also have access to more than two dozen international educational opportunities.

As an added benefit, seniors who feel inspired to keep studying to obtain an MBA or M.S. degree may take graduate-level courses during their last two semesters for dual undergraduate and graduate credit. That means students can take nine graduate-level credit hours during senior year, and can complete their MBA or M.S. one year after graduating if they attend full time. See course catalog for additional details about the “3 to Degree” program.