A collection of recent work from Western Kentucky University's Film Program

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The school holds as its ultimate aim the encouragement of students to be active participants in today's society, with the hope and expectation that some will assume leadership roles in advertising, broadcasting, graphic design, photojournalism, journalism, public relations and other communication areas.

The school embraces the concept that broad-based liberal arts curriculum is essential for a well-rounded understanding of society. It upholds the ideal that the American press system should be free, independent and responsible.

Through its course work and extracurricular activities, the school and its faculty encourage students to be critical thinkers and competent communicators, to be aware of ethical values and historical perspectives, and to gain insight into the functions and responsibilities of contemporary communications institutions. A high priority is the encouragement of students to be able to adapt, both intellectually and creatively, to the realities and challenges of an increasingly diverse and complex information society.

The faculty of the seven school programs - advertising, broadcasting, film, mass communication, photojournalism, print journalism and public relations - seek as a primary mission to prepare students and prospective graduates for positions in the communication media and related institutions.

Many graduates become reporters, copy editors, photojournalists, graphic designers, radio and television producers and directors, advertising sales people and account executives, and public relations practitioners in government, business and non-profit institutions. The program curricula seek to provide students with the conceptual and technical tools, including evolving electronic technologies, that will allow them to be successful communicators.

Students are encouraged to seek practical experience through work on student publications and broadcasting outlets, other campus publications, local media, and internships at newspapers, magazines, broadcast stations, advertising firms, businesses, public relations agencies and other institutions. Faculty members, through their broad and active professional contacts, assist students and graduates in career placement. Faculty critique students' cover letters, resumes and portfolios.

A Tradition of Excellence

1924 The first issue of the Talisman , Western's yearbook. Jan 22,1925 Dr. Henry Hardin Cherry announced the birth of The College Heights Herald. 1962 A second journalism class was added to the English curriculum. 1970 The university created the Office of University Publications and made it responsible for The Herald and Talisman. 1970-71 Journalism emerged from the Department of English into the Department of Mass Communications. 1976 The Board of Regents approved reorganization that separated the  journalism program from the Department of Mass Communications. 1979 The new Department of Journalism received accreditation from the Accrediting Council on Education as a unit and specifically in print journalism and photojournalism. 1986 The majors in advertising and public relations received accreditation. 1992 & 1998 The department was reaccredited for six years. 1999 The Department of Journalism merges with the broadcasting and mass communication programs to form the School of Journalism & Broadcasting. 2000 The Commonwealth designated the School as a Program of Distinction. 2003 The School of Journalism & Broadcasting moved into Mass Media & Technology Hall, a $18.5 million new building. 2004 The School, in its new configuration, was re-accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Additionally, the major in public relations was certified by the Association of Public Relations Society of America. 2005 The Pulitzer Prize Award Wall honoring 30 alumni who have been on 22 award winning stories was unveiled. 2009 The School offers the iMedia Certificate Program and adds a new faculty position, the endowed Turner Multimedia Professorship.   2010 The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism & Mass Communication voted unanimously that the undergraduate program in the School of Journalism & Broadcasting at WKU receive re-accreditation. 2010 The School receives approval for two new programs.  The major in film and the minor in digital advertising is offered for the first time in fall 2010. 2011 The major in public relations is re-certified.  The Public Relations Society of America, through its Educational Affairs Committee, conducts the certification review process for undergraduate public relations programs. CERTIFICATION IN EDUCATION FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS (CEPR) is a voluntary program of quality-assurance endorsement for studies in public relations at colleges and universities worldwide.

	Accreditation

Since 1979, when it was only two years old, the Department of Journalism has been nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education for Journalism and Mass Communications. The department was re-accredited in 1997-98. In 1999 the department merged with the broadcasting program and the University created the School of Journalism & Broadcasting.

In 2004 and again in 2010, the School in its new configuration was re-accredited. Being accredited means the school adheres to high standards, including emphasis in liberal arts and sciences education in the attainment of a professional communications degree. The majors in advertising, broadcasting, news/editorial journalism, public relations and photojournalism are scrutinized by the council, which is made up of educators and representatives of 20 professional and six educational communication organizations in the United States.

Graduate Placement

The school seeks to match the right graduating senior -- or working professional -- with the right job. The school also works closely with newspaper editors, photo editors, broadcast station managers, and advertising and public relations professionals in Kentucky and other states to assist graduating seniors with employment. In addition, student professional organizations sponsor internship and employment seminars to tell prospective interns and graduates how to get jobs.

Many graduating students plan to attend graduate or law school.