Communication Arts has long offered a major in Public Relations/Advertising, but beginning Fall 2009 we will offer separate majors and minors in both Public Relations and Advertising. The Advertising major will build upon the current course offerings by adding courses in ad copywriting, ad campaigns, as well as partnering with the school of business, requiring courses in marketing and consumer behavior. Students will also have the opportunity to take hands on courses in video production and graphic design.

Broadcasting students at Union learn performance skills in front of the camera and cutting edge editing and production techniques behind the scenes as well scriptwriting, reporting, editing, and news analysis skills. Union graduates are in positions to influence the broadcast media. Recent graduates hold positions in at CNN, Charter Communications, and Top 50 market stations across the country. Graduates also work in international media including Focus on the Family and the International Mission Board. During the year, Union produces 15 basketball games for public television, a weekly newsmagazine and Head2Head, a weekly high school quiz show. Students have also had internship opportunities with Jeopardy! and Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

The Digital Media Studies major is an interdisciplinary program joining Art, Communication Arts, and Computer Science. Its purpose is to produce a student that is aesthetically, theoretically, and technologically trained and capable of excellence in the relatively new area of the design, production, and implementation of digital communications media. By placing an emphasis on public relations and media development, the communication arts emphasis is geared toward those interested in critically looking at the way they convey a message. Courses include Interactive Media, Principles of Public Relations, Video Editing, and Communication Law.

The Film Studies minor is designed for those who want to study film. For students interested in becoming more knowledgeable about film—its history, its theory, and how to view films from a Christian perspective—the Film Studies program provides an series of film courses taught in Art, Christian Studies, Communication Arts, English and Political Science. For students interested in making films, the Film Studies program offers the chance to study filmmaking for a semester in Hollywood at the CCCU-sponsored Los Angeles Film Studies Center.

Union's journalism major equips students to join newspapers, magazines and corporate communication organizations. Students gain practical experience working with the Cardinal & Cream, Union's campus newspaper. The Cardinal & Cream was ranked the #2 college newspaper in the Southeast at the Southeast Journalism Conference in 2005 and has been named the #1 college newspaper by Baptist Press for the past three years.

This new major is designed for students who are interested in creating compelling stories through a variety of media, including film, video and interactive media. Media Communications students will take courses in digital storytelling, television production, interactive media, and digital filmmaking. Additionally, students will have numerous opportunities to work behind the scenes on live television programs including Focus on Jackson Live, Union University Basketball, WestTenn DiamondJaxx AAA baseball, and the Circles of Hope telethon.

The power of visual imagery in today’s world is unmistakable. Study in photojournalism assists in the development of the artistic, technical and personal qualities required of those in pursuit of a career in most any communications field today. It provides grounding in current trends and issues common to its practitioners. Through close examination of the visual message within our society and the greater world culture students see more clearly the significant role of this aspect of communication. An understanding of the methods and practices of the visual journalist today strengthens the student’s potential for impact upon our world. Courses include Photo Editing, Social Documentary and Professional Portfolio.

PR majors incorporate journalism skills, creativity and strategic planning to produce PR campaigns. Working with media outlets, writing ad copy and designing ad campaigns are emphasized.

Union's public relations program is accredited by PRSSA (the educational division of the Public Relations Society of America) making it one of only 7 schools in the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) to earn this distinction.

The Theatre/Speech major at Union University prepares graduates for careers in acting, directing, technical theatre, writing and teaching licensure in Theatre/Speech. Four major productions compose the University theatre season. In addition an annual student directed showcase and alumni productions offer theatre students at Union a wide variety of opportunities for involvement and development of their skills.

Union graduates are working in all phases of theatre throughout the country. Many are in secular and Christian theatre companies throughout the United States, and others are pursuing graduate degree programs at The Actors Studio and New Actors Workshop in NYC, University of Memphis, and University of Houston.