<p>Wow, this place is empty...</p>
<p>Anyways, does anybody have information regarding the Communication Studies or American Studies program? Such as what does the program concentrate on? The difficulty? How prestigious is it?</p>
<p>Wow. Sorry this site is so dead! I’ll try to be of some help as an American studies major and S.U. alum. </p>
<p>American studies at S.U. is more of an independent track these days, I believe. (It still existed as a program, when I specialized in it, but I think it may have been phased into a independent track/focus recently.) </p>
<p>I was the only American studies graduate my year (2002), and I chose that major as a way of combining my pursuits in communication/film, English, politics, and history. Honestly, any degree from a well-respected liberal arts college can get you where you’re going with regard to graduate or professional school. My degree at S.U. led to a various positions in higher education–both before and after earning a master’s degree from University of Chicago (in Cinema & Media Studies).</p>
<p>I went American studies because it united my passions, and I was able to handpick wonderful advisors for my honor thesis/capstone project. (Most of these great profs are still at S.U.) </p>
<p>I am unsure how the communication program is now regarded, but it seemed to be in a state of flux while I was at S.U. There were professors who really focused on the “hard” and social science aspects of communication and were passionate about analysis and rhetoric, etc., but there was also a lingering feeling (almost 10 years ago, mind you) that communication was an easier major for jocks and people who just wanted to talk about feelings for a grade. I don’t believe that was the case for the program overall, but when I was there, it was still possible for people to skate through the major without taking some of the more difficult classes. From chatting with professors, I believe the program is stronger now, there’s been some turnover, and it has more of an intellectual backbone. I also know of some really bright people I shared classes with who went on to successful graduate study programs from the communications program.</p>
<p>S.U. has amazing professors and can give you a wonderful undergraduate education, but it will require some drive and initiative on your part as well. I know I am out almost 10 years now, but I am happy to speak more about my degree, professors (many of whom I still stay in touch with), study abroad/internship experiences, and the job opportunities in the U.S. and U.K. that my time and growth at S.U. made possible.</p>
<p>I hope this helps, and please let me know if you have further questions!</p>
<p>Thank you so much, mcfly12.
This has helped me a lot since I am still kind of the edge about choosing a college in Texas since I want to get out of the state but - to my mother’s delight - S.U. has caught my interests. I also want to head into American studies to combine my passions that are quite similar to yours so I am quite excited to have this post from you. And I am glad to hear that about the Communications since I was looking over the course requirements and it did not seem so appealing to me as American Studies is.</p>
<p>Happy to help! Please let me know if you have any other questions. (I thought I had to leave Texas for undergrad initially, but going to S.U. ended up being a great decision and got me out of the state and in new states and countries eventually–plus Austin is nearby and has many perks…)</p>
<p>I will be certain to. Thanks again.</p>
<p>Just want to jump in and see what mcfly knows (if anything) about the international studies major . . . or about independent studies courses. What kind of things can you do in an ind. study course? For example, DS has been accepted at SU and wants to major in information technology. They don’t offer this major, but one in computer science. It, of course, has several IT-related courses but also has more programming. These days, to work in IT (like as a network administrator, support technician, etc.) you may or may not even need a college degree – what you need is certifications. These are online or classroom classes and you take a “practical exam” at the end – to show you know how to take a computer apart, replace its innards, etc. </p>
<p>I really want DS to go to SU, so I am hoping that perhaps he can in his upper years do one or two of these certifications as part of an ind. studies course. He would be able to get the certifications while still earning a college degree (and also being able to play his sport).</p>
<p>From reading things on the SU website, it seems like they are willing to be pretty flexible about the studies and projects that students come up with. Just wondered if you had some ideas on that.</p>
<p>Hey guys! I just got accepted to SU and I’m looking to get more information about their Psych program and their capstones…</p>
<p>I’m really honored/excited to be accepted to such a great liberal arts university! The price tag is kinda steep but I think I should qualify for need based aid since well I’m independent and got laid off of my job in the last year and received unemployment and decided to go back to school to better myself. </p>
<p>I’m mainly interested in the probability of getting into a graduate degree program - I’m certain any school that makes capstones a requirement, most likely you’re going to get a nice eye and a leg up on reg. undergrads who didn’t do such work. </p>
<p>As well as the various courses in psychology. </p>
<p>Thanks again,</p>
<p>Davon Washington</p>
<p>Ekojin, When will you find out how much need-based aid you will receive?
(People who post in the Financial Aid area of this forum always have a lot of good suggestions for financing college.)</p>
<p>I was also accepted for the Fall of 2011. I Plan on majoring in Psychology too. I just got my financial aid package and full need, but what they are offering is way off. Firstly, they are offering part of the package over 12k in loans. Then, it still doesn’t cover school and all expenses. I mean real expenses not what they write lol… The person that asked about the financial aid and that you are unemployed, what was your award like?</p>
<p>It is so astronomically expensive and it just doesn’t make sense when schools like A&M Commerce is 5k and give aid and all. 45-50k for all expenses for 1 year us off the wall. A&M commerce has almost the same student teacher ratio! Why Southwestern? For real? Whyyy?</p>
<p>Ny27intx because it’s not just about the piece of paper at the end of 4 years. I went to Southwestern and not only did I have classes with only 3 other students where we developed real relationships with our professors, but I had the opportunity participate in research and present that research at conferences across the country (SU paid for those trips). The professors challenge you at SU and take the time to get to know you and your interests. I still get messages from my professors and some of the staff at SU checking in to see how I am doing. My friends that went to some of the campuses you’re referring to that cost 5k had to fight to get a professor to remember their name. Yes the university is expensive, but it is worth it. The school offers academic scholarships and financial aid to make sure that any student who truly wants to go to Southwestern can. SU prepared me for the real world and gave me the connections I needed to get a job that I love.</p>
<p>Well I just found out I got into George Washington university in D.C and I’m stoked. It is expensive but that is nationally known w an average of 13-1 student teacher ratio. I’m still on the fence with that or ut…</p>