Welcome to TCU’s Bob Schieffer College of Communication! Our college houses four departments: Communication Studies; Film, Television and Digital Media, including Sports Broadcasting; Journalism; and Strategic Communication (advertising and public relations). We also offer a minor in Health Communication.
Five things to know about Schieffer College
Mission
To educate students to think, act and communicate effectively, ethically, critically and creatively in a global environment enriching their personal and professional lives.
We believe ethical, truthful, appropriate communication is central to human identity and applicable to a variety of careers and experiences.
Areas of study
Schieffer College offers nine bachelor’s degrees, two master’s degrees and four minors across seven areas of study.
| Program | Degrees | Minor |
|---|---|---|
| Communication Studies | BS, MS | ✓ |
| Film, Television and Digital Media | BA, BS | ✓ |
| Cinema and Media Studies | BA | |
| Sports Broadcasting | BA, BS | |
| Journalism | BA, BS | ✓ |
| Strategic Communication | BS, MS | |
| Health and Communication Media | ✓ |
Inside the classroom
Students in FTDM 42101 Podcasting use recording equipment.
We apply communication theory, principles and history to current professional and analytical skills so our students graduate as flexible, critical-thinking, problem-solving communication practitioners.
Our classes are active and personal, emphasizing engaged learning. Our faculty connect their scholarly training and research to the courses they teach our students. That means a course in family communication will be taught by a professor who has published journal articles about how families work through conflict, or a course in media law will be taught by a professor who wrote a book about the law and ethics of social media use. Too, our faculty are accessible, involved mentors to our students.
Outside the classroom
Students Edgar Saenz (left) and Tristen J. Smith discuss their election coverage on Nov. 8, 2022, in the Student Media newsroom.
Each department offers learning experiences to complement and reinforce key skills gained in classes, including:
- Reporting and editing news for TCU 360, our student-run media platforms
- Producing and hosting programs for KTCU, our radio station
- Analyzing and targeting messages for clients at Roxo, our student advertising and public relations agency
- Working in the control room or in athletic arena as part of a crew telecasting a live sporting event
- Traveling to compete in tournaments with TCU Speech and Debate
- Studying around the world
- Studying on our Washington, D.C., semester
These experiences not only foster learning: they help our students network with their fellow students, which cements the personal and professional relationships our graduates tell us are rooted in their days in our college.
The whole package
Given our location in the Fort Worth and Dallas metropolitan area, our students further network and develop their professional skills by interning at local non-profit organizations, in television newsrooms, for national sports franchises, in advertising and public relations agencies, and for video and film production companies.
Add together our academically challenging classes, expert faculty, out-of-class learning experiences, networking and internships, and what do you produce? Schieffer College graduates: a highly prepared, nimble, creative, thoughtful professionals.
Ready to start your Walk in Purple Socks?
At Schieffer College, we #WalkInPurpleSocks, like our namesake, Bob Schieffer. In 2011, he pledged to wear purple socks every day if TCU won the Rose Bowl – and we did! He keeps his promise, every day. At Schieffer College, we follow his example to always act with integrity. If Schieffer College sounds like the right place for you, take your next steps: