Introduction
The disciplines represented within the College of Communication and Information emphasize different aspects of communication and information theory, research, use and practice. Yet, they all focus on the elements and means of creating, managing, using and evaluating messages, and on information components and processes that are central to communication interaction.

The evolution of digital and electronic media has blurred the distinctions and narrowed the traditional differences between and among communication and information disciplines. The College of Communication and Information provides a coherent and unified structure for the cohesive, collaborative and convergent study of human interaction and information design, production, processing, management, exchange and evaluation, while retaining the unique perspectives and content foci of programs within each of the constituent schools.

The college includes four schools: Communication Studies, Journalism and Mass Communication, Library and Information Science and Visual Communication Design.

The college links programs with a pedagogical and research interest in new technology for information and communication uses, distribution and content. In addition, the School of Communication Studies houses the Communication Instructional Resource Lab and the Communication Research Center. The School of Journalism and Mass Communication houses two centers: the Center for Scholastic Journalism and the Media Law Center for Ethics and Access. The School of Library and Information Science houses the Center for the Study of Librarianship and the Center for the Study of Information and Religion, and the School of Visual Communication Design offers workshops created for graduate students tackling multidisciplinary design research and for industry professionals engaged in interactive design methods and technology.

Degrees
The college awards four undergraduate degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design and Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Mass Communication and in Photo-Illustration. Programs leading to the combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Library and Information Science, Master of Science in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management and Doctor of Philosophy degrees also are offered in the college. Information about the graduate programs appears in the Graduate Schools Catalog.

Accreditation
Individual undergraduate programs are accredited or approved by:
• Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
• National Association of Schools of Art and Design

Admission
Selective admission criteria are used in some programs in the college. Students desiring to major in the School of Communication Studies are admitted as pre-majors, and later accepted into the appropriate program only after specific requirements have been met. It is imperative that the student contact the individual school for detailed information.

Students with an interest in a program for which they are not qualified are admitted into the communication and information general category until requirements are met.