Fall 2021: School of Communication Offering New B.A. in Sports Communication Monday, February 15, 2021

Point Park University’s School of Communication will introduce a B.A. in sports communication in the fall of 2021.

The program is aimed at preparing students for careers in sports communication, emphasizing flexibility and skill-building that can encompass any content-creation or other broad-based communication needs of an organization including broadcasting, social media and fan engagement, journalism, public relations and advertising.

“With the introduction of a B.A. in sports communication, we continue our leadership role in preparing and graduating the next generation of sports industry professionals,” said Keith Paylo, vice president of student affairs and dean of students at Point Park. “Pittsburgh is a fanatical sports town and we’re pleased to be able to offer our students access to sports industry relationships, opportunities and job experiences that are unparalleled in the region.”

Students in the program will have opportunities to gain hands-on experience:

Freshman and sophomore year: students will produce content for Point Park Athletics and the River States Conference using the University's Center for Media Innovation.

Junior year: students will create content for the ACC Network, as well as through internships and various opportunities with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Washington Wild Things, among other organizations. 

Senior year: students will have the opportunity to work at an advanced level with our partner sports teams through our innovative co-op program.

Recent students and graduates have had internships and/or gone onto jobs with organizations such as the National Football League, Pittsburgh Penguins, NFL Media, Skillshot Media and the Washington Football Team.

The School of Communication offers a wide variety of sports communication classes but the new degree is the first time those classes have been formalized into a program. This new program works in collaboration with the Rowland School of Business and Point Park Athletics to offer students an enhanced package of academic and career opportunities.

“Our knowledgeable faculty, many of whom are professionals in the sports communication field, not only educate students but help mentor their professional ambitions," said Bernie Ankney, Ph.D., dean of the School of Communication. "We’re able to offer our students real-world opportunities to help make their sports communication career goals a reality.” 

Ankney added: "Imagine being 18 years old and taking photos for Point Park Athletics, being 20 years old and working for the ACC Conference, being 21 years old and working for a professional sports team. It's an exciting program that will prepare our students for careers in sports PR and advertising, sports video production, sports photojournalism and so many other areas."

More About: sports communication, School of Communication, ACC Network, athletics, Center for Media Innovation, co-op program, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, internships