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The University of Alabama

College of Communication and Information Sciences

Box 870172
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0172



Academic Year Represented

2022

Mission Statement

The University of Alabama’s College of Communication and Information Sciences is a comprehensive multidisciplinary division in which teaching, research and service are focused on shared creation, presentation, dissemination, retrieval, collection, analysis and evaluation of messages and meanings in a variety of settings. The mission is supported by one of the country’s most diverse combinations of academic and service programs. Values: Personal and professional excellence Creativity and intellectual curiosity Interpersonal adaptability and negotiation Integrity and ethical grounding Diversity and appreciation for differences Passion and resilience Collaboration and unity

Technology/Equipment/Facilities

The College occupies four physical spaces on campus: Reese Phifer Hall, Digital Media Center, School of Library & Information Studies, and Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations. Computer classrooms and research labs are accessible to students outside of regular classes. UA students have free software for their academic work. The media production studio has audio and video suites and over 1,200 pieces of production gear for checkout.

Undergraduate Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Arts in Communication

Graduate Degrees Offered

Master of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations Master of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies Doctor of Philosophy in Communication and Information Sciences

Majors

Advertising Public Relations News Media Creative Media https://cis.ua.edu/undergraduate-majors/

Tracks within Majors

Advertising: Creative, Brand Management, and Integrated Channel Planning Concentrations PR: Digital Communication Concentration News Media: Digital News, Management and Entrepreneurship, Public Affairs Reporting, Specialized Writing, and Visual Journalism Sequences; Sports Media Concentration

Internships Accepted for Credit

On- and off-campus internships are accepted for credit through an internship application process. Internships are encouraged but not required.

Internships Facilitated

Internship coordinators in each academic unit, as well as career specialists in the college's student services center, assist students seeking and completing internships. Internships are not required.

Experiential and/or Immersion Programs for Credit

Students may participate in internships, practicums, and professional exploration opportunities for credit as offered by the individual departments. Many courses in our accredited programs are designated as experiential or service learning courses, such as capstone classes in the advertising and public relations majors.

Online Options

Advertising and Public Relations are the current accredited undergraduate programs that are offered online and face-to-face.

Study-Abroad Options

The Capstone International Center coordinates all study abroad programs for the university, including faculty-led study, exchange programs, and UA affiliate direct enroll programs. C&IS-led study abroad opportunities vary by semester.

Graduate Programs

Master of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations Master of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies https://cis.ua.edu/masters-programs/ Doctor of Philosophy in Communication and Information Sciences https://cis.ua.edu/cis-doctoral-program/

Department Budget

$12,953,486


Amount Spent per Student


Undergraduate Students

Undergrad Student Fees

$800


Undergraduate Student Fees Exclusive of Housing and Meal Plan

$800


Undergraduate Student Fees for Housing and Meal Plan

$14,426


Undergrad In-State Tuition

$11,100


Undergrad Out-of-State Tuition

$31,460


Average Undergraduate Financial Aid


Average Undergraduate Student Debt


Graduate Students

Graduate Student Fees

$None


Graduate In-State Tuition

$11,100


Graduate Out-of-State Tuition

$31,460


Average Graduate Financial Aid


Average Graduate Student Debt


Enrollment Numbers

Total Accredited Unit Enrollment

3179


Undergraduate Enrollment

2473


Graduate Enrollment

706


Number of In-State Students

1158


Percentage of In-State Students

36


Number of International Students

47


Percentage of International Students

2


Number of Students by Gender

Male

994


Female

2185


Not Specified


Number of Students by Ethnicity

White

2392


Black

348


Asian

19


Hispanic/Latino

187


Pacific Islands or Native Hawaiian

5


Native American or Native Alaskan

7


Other

174


Class Sizes

Average Size of Skill Based Classes

16


Average Size of Non-Skill Based Classes

36


Retention and Graduation

First Year Student (Freshman) Retention Rate at University

89


Four Year Completion Rate

66


Six Year Completion Rate

74


New Graduate Employment

Full-Time Employment within Six Months of Graduation


Full-Time Employment Within Field of Study


Part-Time Employment Within Field of Study


Full-Time Employment Not In Field of Study


Part-Time Employment Not In Field of Study


Attending a Graduate Program


Unemployed


Unknown Status


Faculty Appointments

Full-Time Faculty

64


Part-Time Faculty

21


Faculty with Tenure

21


Faculty on Tenure Track

23


Untenured Part-Time Faculty


Untenured Full-Time Faculty

18


Percentage of Faculty within Scholarship or Research Field


Number of Faculty by Gender

Male

38


Female

26


Unspecified


Number of Faculty by Ethnicity

White

50


Black

6


Asian

3


Hispanic/Latino

1


Pacific Island or Native Hawaiian


Native American or Native Alaskan


Other

4


Faculty-to-Student Ratio

Faculty-to-Student Ratio for All Classes


Faculty-to-Student Ratio for Skill Classes