Advising and Registration
Our department has two full-time academic advising specialists, who are here to help you every step of the way. Whether you have questions about your major or minor requirements, course sequencing, or graduation planning, they can guide you through your academic journey.
Registration for fall and summer courses begins in mid-March, while winter semester registration opens in late October. Your assigned registration date and time are based on your earned credit hours (not including current courses) and are posted on the Registration Week Schedule and in your MyNMU portal. You’ll also receive an email reminder before registration opens.
To register, log in to MyNMU, click the Registration tile, and use the links to Prepare for Registration, Browse Classes, and Register for Classes once your time opens. Summer sessions offer open enrollment, but for fall and winter, registration begins with graduate students and seniors, followed by juniors, sophomores, and first-year students.
Need help preparing or planning your schedule? Call to make an appointment with Ryan or Jesse, they’re your best resource for ensuring you stay on track toward your goals!
Ryan Bond, Senior Success Advisor
Office Phone: 9062271845
Email: rybond@nmu.edu
Jesse Koenig, Senior Success Advisor
Office Phone: 906-227-1825
Email: jekoenig@nmu.edu
Need help changing or declaring your major or minor, opening your degree evaluation, or calculating your GPA?
New Fall 26 Course Offerings
ST: AI and Communication Ethics (COM 495) CRN 82163
MW 6:00 - 7:40 p.m. Dr. Josh Ewalt
Examine Artificial Intelligence as a communication medium and its impact on ethics, truth, power, and the human experience. Students explore AI in relation to past technologies, issues of surveillance and data infrastructure, and the role of institutions in shaping policy, while engaging with practitioners working to establish ethical guidelines.
Persuasion (COM 401) CRN 82218
TR 9:00 - 10:40 a.m. Professor Rebecca Ewalt
Explore persuasion as a communication process, focusing on audience analysis, message design, emotional appeals, and rhetorical theory. Students learn to analyze and create persuasive messages and examine the role of persuasion in social movements and everyday influence.
Adv. Interpersonal Comm (COM 410) CRN 81480 Prereq.: Jr. Standing
MW 11:00 a.m. - 12:40 p.m. Dr. Sara Potter
Develop a deeper understanding of how communication shapes identity, relationships, and leadership. Through reflection and applied learning, students strengthen skills in emotional intelligence, clarity, and intentional communication for professional and personal contexts.
Intro to Podcasting (BC 255) CRN 82446
Substitutes for BC 473M Advanced Production
MW 8:00 - 9:40 a.m. Dr. Mark Shevy
Learn to plan and produce a podcast using strategic, ethical, and creative approaches. Topics include genre, content development, interviewing, production, distribution platforms, and industry practices. No prerequisites required.
Audio Production: Post (BC 371P) CRN 82185
TR 12:00 - 1:40 p.m. Professor Dan Zini
Gain hands-on experience producing audio for film, video, and games through studio and lab work. Includes collaborative digital cinema projects and preparation for Avid Pro Tools Post Production certification. Students build technical skills while working on industry-relevant projects.
Internship Advising: Before you Begin
Before starting your internship, meet with your academic advising specialist to determine the best time to fit your 2 internship credits into your plan, which is typically beginning your junior year. Internships can be on campus, in the community, remote, paid, or unpaid, and you’ll need 50 hours of work per credit. You may complete one 2-credit internship in a single semester or spread them out across multiple terms, including summer. Students can earn up to 8 credits of internship experience if warranted. Be sure to connect with a faculty member in your area (Communication, Production, or Journalism) for networking advice and potential opportunities.
Once you’ve identified an internship, you’ll need to complete and submit the internship approval form, available from your advisor, faculty, or the Department Head, before beginning your internship to receive credit.
Internship Opportunities: What's Out There
Our students gain real-world experience through internships both on campus and in the community. On campus, Communication and Media Studies majors have interned with NMU’s Communication and Marketing Office, Dining Services, Athletics, Admissions, and Orientation. In the community, students have worked with Invent@NMU, Madgoodies Studio, TV6, Public Eye News, local political offices, the Downtown Development Authority, and Gracie Gallery, among others. These hands-on experiences allow students to apply what they’ve learned in class, build professional networks, and strengthen the communication, production, and storytelling skills that employers value across industries.
If you already have an internship in mind, reach out to your advising specialist or faculty mentor for help getting registered! Not sure, where to start...same goes, make an appointment with one of us so that we can help you find the perfect fit.
Before you begin your internship make sure you and your supervisor complete the internship registration packet and affiliation agreement form.
Student Organizations
The Communication and Media Studies Department supports several student organizations that help students develop the skills they need to be successful in their future careers. Click on the links below to learn more about each organization. Visit The Hub for more organizations around campus.
Radio X 91.5 FM (WUPX)
Students operate a radio station that provides programming 24 hours per day.
Public Eye News
Students produce a daily news program on WNMU-TV.
The North Wind
Students produce an independent, weekly newspaper.
Coming soon: NMU Debate Team
Professor Rebecca Ewalt is launching a new NMU Debate Team, giving students the opportunity to sharpen their public speaking, argumentation, and critical thinking skills through intercollegiate competition. Check out the Hub or contact Prof. Ewalt for more information.
COMM Clubs
The Student Advisory Committee and COMM Club bring together students from across the department and campus to collaborate on initiatives that enhance the CAMS community. They meet regularly to discuss departmental topics, plan events, and create professional development opportunities that connect students, faculty, and alumni. Check out The Hub, Dr. Potter, or Dr. Shevy for more information.
Past Projects
In winter 2023 our department hosted week long programming dedicated to civility.
Awards and News
The CAMS Department also honors graduating seniors on an annual basis who have demonstrated academic excellence in the major that sets them apart from their fellow students with a red chord (gpa of a 3.5 or higher) and a medallion (gpa of a 3.8 or higher).
Each year the faculty also nominate and choose one graduating senior each term from each side of the department (Communication and Media) as our TOP graduate each year. Take a look at some of our super stars.
It's hard to put into words all that our department does. Check out the past and latest buzz to learn more.