Bachelor of Arts in Faith-Based Journalism Specialization in Communication

Degree abbreviation

B.A. in Faith-Based Journalism Specialization in Communication

Total program length

120 semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Four academic years

General education

36 credit hours

Professional application courses

15 credit hours

Capstone requirement

6 credit hours

Academic unit

HBIU College of Communication and Media

Total credits

120

Duration

4 years

• Analyze the influence of digital media on social, ethical, and organizational communication landscapes.
• Apply professional journalistic standards to the creation of multimedia content across diverse platforms.
• Evaluate the role of media in shaping public discourse and community perception through critical research methods.
• Design comprehensive communication strategies that demonstrate servant leadership and effective stewardship.
• Integrate ethical decision-making models into news production and institutional storytelling.
• Communicate complex information with clarity and professional rigor to diverse public audiences.
• Course Outline
• Semester 1 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• ENG 101
• Academic Writing and Research
• 4
• None
• COM 101
• Introduction to Communication Studies
• 4
• None
• HIS 110
• World History I
• 3
• None
• PHI 105
• Introduction to Philosophical Inquiry
• 3
• None
• ENG 101 — Academic Writing and Research: This course covers foundational research and writing techniques essential for clear professional communication. Students develop proficiency in drafting analytical arguments supported by credible sources. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM 101 — Introduction to Communication Studies: An exploration of human communication theories and models as they apply to interpersonal and organizational contexts. Emphasis is placed on message clarity and relational integrity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• HIS 110 — World History I: A survey of global historical developments and their impact on contemporary social structures. Students examine historical patterns to inform current societal understanding. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PHI 105 — Introduction to Philosophical Inquiry: This course examines fundamental questions regarding human existence, knowledge, and value systems. Students evaluate logical arguments and ethical frameworks in a historical context. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 2 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• COM 120
• Journalistic Reporting I
• 4
• ENG 101
• SOC 150
• Introduction to Sociology
• 3
• None
• MAT 120
• Statistics for Research
• 3
• None
• HUM 200
• Ethics in Professional Practice
• 3
• None
• COM 120 — Journalistic Reporting I: The fundamentals of news writing, interviewing techniques, and information gathering are examined in this course. Emphasis is placed on the ethical responsibility of the reporter in verifying facts. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• SOC 150 — Introduction to Sociology: An overview of social systems, institutions, and their effects on human interaction and community dynamics. Students apply sociological concepts to identify opportunities for social improvement. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MAT 120 — Statistics for Research: This course introduces statistical analysis and data interpretation methods relevant to social science research. Students learn to analyze data ethically to inform organizational decision-making. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• HUM 200 — Ethics in Professional Practice: This course investigates the theoretical frameworks of professional ethics and their application to real-world decision-making. Students evaluate case studies involving moral dilemmas. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 3 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• COM 210
• Multimedia Storytelling
• 4
• COM 120
• ENG 220
• Advanced Composition
• 3
• ENG 101
• PSY 200
• Foundations of Human Behavior
• 3
• None
• MIN 210
• Servant Leadership in Organizations
• 3
• None
• COM 210 — Multimedia Storytelling: Explores the technical and narrative elements of digital media production for online platforms. Students learn to use visual, auditory, and written tools to create compelling stories. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• ENG 220 — Advanced Composition: Refines advanced writing skills focusing on structure, clarity, and persuasive rhetoric. Students analyze various writing styles and adapt them to suit intended organizational audiences. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PSY 200 — Foundations of Human Behavior: An introduction to psychological concepts relating to behavior, cognition, and emotional health. Students identify how individual dynamics impact organizational health and group cohesion. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MIN 210 — Servant Leadership in Organizations: Examines the principles of servant leadership and their application to organizational management and team dynamics. Students develop personal frameworks for leadership based on service. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 4 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• COM 250
• Editorial Process and Media Law
• 4
• COM 120
• BUS 230
• Nonprofit Resource Management
• 3
• None
• SOC 250
• Civic Engagement and Volunteerism
• 3
• THE 105
• COM 280
• Public Relations and Media Relations
• 3
• COM 101
• COM 250 — Editorial Process and Media Law: An investigation of the editorial workflow, fact-checking procedures, and legal considerations in media publishing. Students analyze copyright, libel, and ethical guidelines. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS 230 — Nonprofit Resource Management: Focuses on the financial and operational aspects of stewardship within nonprofit organizations. Students study sustainable resource development and accountability. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• SOC 250 — Civic Engagement and Volunteerism: This course explores the sociological theories behind community volunteerism and the role of service in democratic societies. Students participate in supervised field projects to observe organizational operations and social impact. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM 280 — Public Relations and Media Relations: Covers strategies for managing communication between an organization and its stakeholders. Students learn to craft messaging that aligns with organizational values and institutional goals. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 5 — Year 3
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• COM 310
• Feature Writing and Long-form Journalism
• 4
• COM 210
• RES 300
• Qualitative Research Methods
• 3
• MAT 120
• MGT 320
• Organizational Communication Strategy
• 3
• COM 101
• COM 340
• Media Ethics and Social Responsibility
• 3
• HUM 200
• COM 310 — Feature Writing and Long-form Journalism: Develops advanced skills in long-form narrative writing for magazines and digital outlets. Students conduct extensive interviews to produce feature-length profiles or investigations. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES 300 — Qualitative Research Methods: Explores ethnographic, interview-based, and observational research techniques for media practitioners. Students design a small-scale research project to investigate organizational needs. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT 320 — Organizational Communication Strategy: Examines internal and external communication flows in modern organizations. Students evaluate how effective communication supports strategic organizational success and mission clarity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM 340 — Media Ethics and Social Responsibility: A deep dive into the intersection of media, corporate responsibility, and community impact. Students evaluate how media organizations uphold or neglect their role in societal welfare. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 6 — Year 3
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• COM 360
• Digital Journalism Lab
• 4
• COM 250
• BUS 350
• Marketing for Social Impact
• 3
• BUS 230
• COM 380
• Documentary and Visual Storytelling
• 3
• COM 210
• BUS 350
• Professionalism and Career Development
• 3
• THE 105
• COM 360 — Digital Journalism Lab: Provides practical experience in managing a digital news outlet, including web publishing and audience analytics. Students apply production skills to live projects. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS 350 — Marketing for Social Impact: Analyzes marketing theories adapted for the unique needs of mission-driven organizations. Students create campaigns that balance promotion with the values of integrity and stewardship. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM 380 — Documentary and Visual Storytelling: Focuses on the creation of short-form documentary films or photographic essays that highlight community issues. Students examine how visual narratives influence public awareness and support. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS 350 — Professionalism and Career Development: This course addresses the psychological and structural aspects of career identity and professional ethics in modern society. It analyzes labor trends, personal skill alignment, and workplace culture to help students navigate their professional trajectories. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 7 — Year 4
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• COM 410
• Investigative Reporting
• 4
• COM 360
• COM 420
• Crisis Communication
• 3
• MGT 320
• EDU 400
• Community Engagement Seminar
• 3
• None
• COM 430
• Professional Portfolio Development
• 3
• All Core 300-level courses
• COM 410 — Investigative Reporting: Focuses on high-level investigative skills, public records requests, and data mining for deep-dive reporting. Students learn to handle sensitive information with extreme ethical care. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM 420 — Crisis Communication: Examines strategies for managing organizational reputation during periods of volatility. Students learn to communicate clearly, transparently, and effectively under pressure. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• EDU 400 — Community Engagement Seminar: Facilitates engagement with local nonprofit leaders to discuss practical community challenges. Students participate in collaborative problem-solving regarding local outreach and media representation. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM 430 — Professional Portfolio Development: Students curate a comprehensive professional portfolio showcasing their journalistic and communication work. Emphasis is on demonstrating proficiency and readiness for professional service. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 8 — Year 4
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• CAP 490
• Senior Capstone Project
• 4
• COM 430
• MGT 450
• Strategic Stewardship in Media
• 3
• MGT 320
• SOC 460
• Community Advocacy and Public Policy
• 3
• SOC 150
• COM 480
• Contemporary Media Trends
• 3
• COM 360
• CAP 490 — Senior Capstone Project: The final integration of journalistic skill, investigative inquiry, and ethical reflection as students complete a multifaceted media project. Students defend their work while demonstrating servant leadership and professional readiness. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT 450 — Strategic Stewardship in Media: Analyzes the stewardship of influence and organizational assets in the media sector. Students evaluate long-term impact of communication on institutional health. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• SOC 460 — Community Advocacy and Public Policy: Explores how organizations influence policy through advocacy, public awareness, and ethical storytelling. Students examine the legal and social constraints on organizational advocacy. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM 480 — Contemporary Media Trends: A seminar exploring emerging trends in digital consumption, artificial intelligence, and media ethics. Students forecast how these shifts affect the communication landscape for nonprofit organizations. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Applicants for the Bachelor of Arts in Faith-Based Journalism must possess a high school diploma or equivalent with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Prospective students must submit an official transcript, a personal statement outlining their commitment to ethical communication and service, and two letters of recommendation from academic or professional references. Transfer students must demonstrate successful completion of collegiate-level coursework from an accredited institution with a 'C' or higher in English Composition or an equivalent writing course. Senior Capstone Project The Senior Capstone Project serves as the culminating scholarly endeavor, requiring students to synthesize their journalistic training with the ethical and stewardship-oriented values of the program. Students will develop a comprehensive multimedia project that addresses a substantive societal or organizational issue, demonstrating mastery of investigative reporting, production, and narrative composition. This project requires an extensive research portfolio that mirrors real-world communication challenges faced by community-focused institutions. By integrating biblical stewardship and servant leadership, the project necessitates a formal reflection on how ethical inquiry informs professional practice. Beyond technical proficiency, the Capstone emphasizes the synthesis of faith-informed character development and professional competence. Students will defend their work before a faculty panel, articulating how their investigative lens serves the public interest and upholds integrity in storytelling. This final integration of academic rigor and spiritual formation ensures that graduates are prepared to lead with transparency and purpose in their subsequent professional roles.

• To qualify for the Bachelor of Arts in Faith-Based Journalism, candidates must successfully complete 120 credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Graduates are expected to demonstrate academic excellence alongside spiritual maturity, as evidenced by completion of designated spiritual formation coursework and active participation in community service initiatives. The curriculum mandates the successful defense of the Senior Capstone Project, confirming that the student has attained the requisite level of critical thinking, ethical integrity, and technical skill.
• Students must also demonstrate active engagement in the institutional faith community, participating in regular corporate worship experiences to cultivate a heart for service and collective reflection. This holistic approach ensures that academic achievement is inextricably linked to personal character, grounding the student's professional readiness in a foundation of faith-informed service, humility, and ongoing commitment to the well-being of the wider community.
• Career Opportunities
• Digital News Producer
• Nonprofit Communications Manager
• Faith-Based Institutional Journalist
• Public Relations Specialist
• Community Engagement Coordinator
• Media Research Analyst
• Organizational Storyteller
• Important Notices
• The program educates ethical professionals who demonstrate technical excellence, servant leadership, professional integrity, and a commitment to apply sound principles to advance faith-based organizations, strengthen communities, and contribute responsibly.
• HBIU is a lawfully operating nonpublic faith-based postsecondary institution that maintains its status under section 1005.06(1)(f), Florida Statutes. The University annually affirms its compliance with the requirements applicable to faith-based institutions in Florida through Commission for Independent Education.
• HBIU accreditation from QAHE (for quality assurance in pre-tertiary and higher education mechanisms). QAHE offers globally recognized accreditation and quality assurance for higher education, training providers, and professional institutions worldwide. Students should consider the nature and scope of this recognition in relation to their individual certification and professional goals.
• Transfer credit is evaluated individually based on course content, credit hours, grades, institutional documentation, program requirements, and applicable university policies. Although HBIU provides academically structured programs, no institution can guarantee that another college, university, employer, licensing board, or credential-evaluation service will accept its credits or credentials. Students are encouraged to obtain advance written confirmation from the intended receiving organization.
• The program develops academic knowledge and applied competencies for service in faith-based organizations, nonprofit institutions, community programs, and related professional environments. Some occupations associated with the subject area may be regulated by governmental or professional authorities. A degree from HBIU demonstrates completion of the University's academic requirements but does not, by itself, confer professional licensure or legal authority to perform regulated services.
• Where a program is related to an external certification, eligibility is determined exclusively by the applicable certifying organization. Certification bodies may establish additional requirements involving education, examinations, experience, background screening, continuing education, or membership. HBIU does not guarantee certification eligibility or examination approval unless a formal written agreement expressly provides otherwise.
• Career and occupational information is provided to help students make informed educational decisions. Employment outcomes depend on factors such as the graduate's experience, geographic location, professional qualifications, employer requirements, economic conditions, interviewing ability, and any applicable licensure or certification requirements. Completion of a program does not constitute a promise of employment, promotion, job placement, or a particular occupational title.
• This program is delivered through online instruction. Students must have access to the technology, equipment, internet service, software, and learning resources identified in the University's technology requirements.
• Internship or field-experience participation is subject to academic eligibility, site availability, supervisor approval, and the requirements of the participating organization. The University assists students with the placement process but cannot guarantee placement with a particular organization, supervisor, location, or schedule.
• Students are responsible for reviewing the catalog, understanding program requirements, providing accurate information, meeting academic and financial obligations, and verifying whether the program supports their intended educational or professional goals.
• Completion of a University program does not authorize a graduate to use a professional title that is protected or restricted by law. Graduates must use titles that accurately reflect their education, credentials, employment role, and current licensure or certification status.
• Degree abbreviation | B.A. in Faith-Based Journalism Specialization in Communication
• Total program length | 120 semester credit hours
• Normal completion time | Four academic years
• General education | 36 credit hours
• Faith-Based Journalism and Communication core | 63 credit hours
• Professional application courses | 15 credit hours
• Capstone requirement | 6 credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research | 4 | None
• COM 101 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 4 | None
• HIS 110 | World History I | 3 | None
• PHI 105 | Introduction to Philosophical Inquiry | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• COM 120 | Journalistic Reporting I | 4 | ENG 101
• SOC 150 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 | None
• MAT 120 | Statistics for Research | 3 | None
• HUM 200 | Ethics in Professional Practice | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• COM 210 | Multimedia Storytelling | 4 | COM 120
• ENG 220 | Advanced Composition | 3 | ENG 101
• PSY 200 | Foundations of Human Behavior | 3 | None
• MIN 210 | Servant Leadership in Organizations | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• COM 250 | Editorial Process and Media Law | 4 | COM 120
• BUS 230 | Nonprofit Resource Management | 3 | None
• SOC 250 | Civic Engagement and Volunteerism | 3 | THE 105
• COM 280 | Public Relations and Media Relations | 3 | COM 101
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• COM 310 | Feature Writing and Long-form Journalism | 4 | COM 210
• RES 300 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 | MAT 120
• MGT 320 | Organizational Communication Strategy | 3 | COM 101
• COM 340 | Media Ethics and Social Responsibility | 3 | HUM 200
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• COM 360 | Digital Journalism Lab | 4 | COM 250
• BUS 350 | Marketing for Social Impact | 3 | BUS 230
• COM 380 | Documentary and Visual Storytelling | 3 | COM 210
• BUS 350 | Professionalism and Career Development | 3 | THE 105
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• COM 410 | Investigative Reporting | 4 | COM 360
• COM 420 | Crisis Communication | 3 | MGT 320
• EDU 400 | Community Engagement Seminar | 3 | None
• COM 430 | Professional Portfolio Development | 3 | All Core 300-level courses
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP 490 | Senior Capstone Project | 4 | COM 430
• MGT 450 | Strategic Stewardship in Media | 3 | MGT 320
• SOC 460 | Community Advocacy and Public Policy | 3 | SOC 150
• COM 480 | Contemporary Media Trends | 3 | COM 360