B.A. in Applied Communication

Students will gain the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Compelling communication skills: You will create effective audience-centered messages.
• Critical analysis: You will interpret and critically respond to mediated and non-mediated messages.
• Oral communication skills: You will present messages in multiple communication modalities and contexts.
• Research skills: You will locate, evaluate and utilize credible information from various sources to develop your own perspective on current issues and trends.
• Problem-Solving: You will become an experienced learner who is able to identify new problems and solve them.
• Professionalism: You will be prepared to interact confidently with others in a global workplace.

Why study Applied Communication at SXU?

• Saint Xavier University combines classroom learning with experiential learning to produce well-rounded graduates.
• You have the opportunity to develop journalism and production skills by working for Student Media, writing for The Xavierite or The Bell, our online campus newspaper and magazine, or hosting shows for WXAV, our campus radio station.
• Our faculty have expertise in communication and create challenging courses that are interactive and student-focused.
• Small class sizes allow for close interaction with your professors and student colleagues.
• The program provides many opportunities for you to receive credit for professional internships in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and throughout the nation.
• You will develop a habit of lifelong learning that will prepare you for the ever-changing communication profession.
• With core values of service, integrity and excellence exemplified throughout campus, you will become a more effective citizen and an asset to your community.

In the last five years, no other student radio station in Illinois has achieved as much as WXAV. WXAV has won seven student Silver Dome Awards in the last three years.

No other student radio station won a commercial Silver Dome Award in the Chicago market in 2003 when WXAV beat WGN 720 AM to place second for the Best Local Public Affairs Program in Chicago. In July 2004, WXAV again placed in the same category along with WBBM 780 AM.

WXAV proclaims to be "The Voice of SXU," and its mission is to act as an outreach arm of Saint Xavier University by promoting services, activities and happenings at the University to its listening audience -- currently estimated to be a potential market of one million listeners throughout Chicago and globally via the internet.

WXAV is also a member of the Illinois Broadcaster's Association and Intercollegiate Broadcasting System and a member station of the USA News Network.

From campus news to the latest movies, music and essential events, The Xavierite provides excellent information about what's happening on campus and beyond. Published weekly during semester, The Xavierite is an essential source of information for many students enrolled at SXU.

Students who join The Xavierite team will gain valuable experience in journalism as well as develop their reading and writing skills. The Xavierite has also won several ICPA awards over the last five years and is a leading student newspaper in Illinois.

The Xavierite is also a full member of the Illinois College Press Association and an Associate Member of Associated Press.