Largest HBCUs with Communications Programs
Photo by Isaiah Ekele
This list focuses on the largest HBCUs with Communications Programs. Each institution has multiple communication concentrations as well as platforms like newspapers, radio stations, television programs to help prepare students for their chosen career fields.
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University - Tallahassee, FL
FAMU's undergraduate programs are in Graphic Design, Journalism and Public Relations. Through the broadcast journalism program and the cable channel, FAMU-TV 20, students are prepared for television news reporter, producer, and videographer careers. Student journalists can also earn writing and editing skills through working at The Famuan, the campus newspaper. Students who seek a BS in Graphic Design can choose a career within a range of industries or earn a certification to teach graphic design at a vocational or secondary school. FAMU's public relations major prepares students to communicate using social media, press releases and elements of a media kit.
Howard University - Washington, DC
If you’re looking for an HBCU with a communication program that is also allows for proximity to a long list of media companies, Howard could be for you. Howard University's Department of Media, Journalism and Film is housed in the Cathy Hughes School of Communications. Students can earn a BA specializing in (1) media and film, (2) journalism and (3) interdisciplinary studies, where students build their major. There is also an MFA in Film program. The Hilltop is the nation's oldest Black collegiate newspaper. This HBCU also trains student journalists through Howard University News Service which serves 200 African-American weeklies. Howard students can apply for internships at any of the Howard University Radio Network stations.
North Carolina Agricultural & Technical University - Greensboro, NC
NC A&T offers their Journalism and Mass Communication BS students three areas of concentration. (1) Multimedia Journalism includes a focus on print journalism, audio and visual recording, digital stills, production and editing skills, and website design. (2) Mass Media Production is for students interested in broadcast careers, including media producers, filmmakers, podcasters and the like. (3) Public Relations prepares students to become strategic communicators and social media professionals in various fields from government agencies to corporations. This HBCU’s students have opportunities to sharpen their skills through the Aggie Media Group, a student-run public relations agency, the NC A&T Television Studio, The A&T Register, a news website and publication and the WNAA-FM Radio Station.
Prairie View Agricultural and Mechanical University - Prairie View, TX
Prairie View offers a Bachelors of Arts in Communication with either a concentration in Mass Communication or Communications Studies. In addition to print media courses, Prairie View's newspaper The Panther offers students an opportunity to develop their writing and editing skills. The KPVU TV, a digital television studio, and the media production lab offer students opportunities to learn writing and editing television production, broadcasting, video animation and editing, and website development.