Dr. La-Doris McClaney School of Performing Arts and Communication

Mission and Vision Statements

Mission:

The mission of the School of Performing Arts and Communication is to inspire, expose, engage, nurture, and transform a new generation of global leaders through excellence in academic, artistic, and service-learning programs graduating highly motivated individuals in the fields of music, music recording technology, mass communications, communication studies, theater, and dance. These graduates will contribute to society as entrepreneurs, educators, highly skilled professionals, and civic-minded citizens.

Vision: 

The School of Performing Arts and Communication endeavors to provide a rich and vibrant learning community in which performance and communication artists can explore their gifts and talents and prepare to take their place in the world as competent and highly motivated professionals seeking to impact their communities, and ultimately, our world.

Program Overview

The School of Performing Arts and Communication provides excellent instruction within our programs in music, music recording technology, mass communications, communication studies, theatre, and dance. Degree programs cultivate creativity, stimulate imagination and enhance critical thinking skills. Graduates take their place among the global citizens of the world to become the cutting edge problem-solvers in their diverse fields of interest.

Admissions Requirements

Students seeking admission into a major program in the School of Performing Arts must:

• Complete all requirements for General Education as identified in the undergraduate catalog.

• Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0

Education Outcomes

Program Objectives:

The School of Performing Arts and Communication focuses on a student-centered learning environment. Within this setting, students and faculty can explore the many dimensions of the human experience as conveyed in artistic and musical expressions, in historical, legal, philosophical, political, religious, and sociological perspectives, and in various languages and forms of communications in both community and global environments.

The courses, programs, activities, and events within the School of Performing Arts and Communication provide opportunities for students to enhance:

1. Critical thinking, communication, and research skills 

2. Team-building and leadership skills

3. Creativity 

4. Information literacy

5. Ethical and spiritual development 

6. Social responsibility

7. Respect for diversity 

8. Global citizenship

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Goal 1. Ensure Student Satisfaction and Student Success through Programs and Support Services.

Priority: The School of Performing Arts and Communication will continue to foster student achievement through excellence in curriculum, teaching, learning, and services that meet multiple needs. Student-centered programs and support services will identify student goals and individual needs and will facilitate student retention, completion and goal achievement.

2. Goal 2. Ensure Broad-Based Education.

Priority: The School of Performing Arts and Communication is committed to developing life-long learners who are competent problem-solvers, critical thinkers, effective communicators, ethical citizens and technologically literate contributors to the global community. Students will achieve a broad-based perspective through liberal learning.

3. Goal 3. Expand the School’s Commitment to Professional Development.

Priority: The School of Performing Arts and Communication will continue to create an intellectually stimulating, innovative and exciting environment that encourages its entire faculty and staff to grow professionally and personally, to seek out and implement best practices and to contribute to the school’s nurturing and student-centered environment.

4. Goal 4: Model Community Leadership.

Priority: The School of Performing Arts and Communication will build stronger community ties and model community leadership in the field by serving as a resource and convener for enlightened discourse on vital community issues regarding environmental stewardship, social justice, non-partisan politics, and culture.

Graduation Requirements

The requirements and objectives, which are discussed in this section, apply to the School of Performing Arts and Communication as a whole. Departmental requirements are given with the major area offerings.

All students are required to earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher for all courses required to complete their program. However, for course credit toward graduation in a major area, students must earn at least a “C” grade. Before graduation, each student must complete an exit examination covering the major subject areas of their major, complete a senior level research paper and submit an e-portfolio that demonstrates the student’s knowledge base and skills to future employers and graduate schools. All students are required to satisfy competency in computer technology.

Professional Seminar

Professional Seminar is required for all students. Department seminar meetings will convene every week on Fridays to provide students with the opportunity to become better acquainted with their chosen field. The School of Performing Arts and Communication school-wide Professional Seminar will meet on the last Friday of every month.