Students spend a lot of time deciding their major but their choice of minor might be just as important. A minor adds important perspective to a student’s primary field of study, creating combinations of skills that help them stand out in the job market. Exploring a minor is also essential to the process of discernment and whole-person formation that defines a Jesuit education.
The College of Communication has some minor-only offerings that are great complements to a wide variety of majors. If you want more information about any of them, feel free to visit our website, check the course bulletin or schedule an appointment with your adviser. Most minors require between 18 and 21 credits.
Dance:
Dance minors express themselves through movement and music in a variety of dance styles. Students taking this minor can expect to take classes in ballet, modern dance, African dance, tap, Irish dance and more. Theatre majors may find this minor particularly applicable, especially if being a stage performer in musicals is part of one’s future plans.
Fine Arts:
Fine arts minors have the special opportunity to take classes at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, which is ranked among the top 20 small art colleges in the nation. Students can study either graphic design or fine studio art, adding a creative focus to their Marquette major. Classes in typography, advertising design and visual language will help students sharpen their artistic eye and develop a job-worthy portfolio for a wide range of fields.
Students can utilize their free U-Passes to ride city buses to MIAD, where they will also be provided with a locker for storage of their possessions.
Games and Interactive Media:
The video game industry is expected to grow by more than 12 percent each year for the next five years, so this is a great minor if students want to be a part of an expanding industry. This minor combines the study of the media history and cultural relevance of video games with mastery of the technology required to make them. The Diederich College also gives students the opportunity to attend prominent regional video game conferences, where they can network with developers and make the connections that can launch a career.
Expect to take a lot of digital media, computer science and fine arts courses in this minor.
Health Communication:
The American economy will have a durable demand for health care workers for decades to come, and with that demand comes a need for health communicators. Whether you’re an aspiring public health worker who wants to understand how to reach vulnerable populations or a PR pro who’s interested in representing a hospital, the health communication minor can offer you a valuable base of knowledge.
While this minor would pair well with any major in the college, it would work equally well for nursing or health sciences students.
Music:
Marquette offers several ways for students to further their music skills. Participation in any of the Marquette University choruses or bands gives aspiring musicians an outlet for their craft. These groups are often featured at marquee university events, such as basketball games, and hold their own concerts.
The music minor curriculum helps students build on those skills, buttressing their involvement in performance groups with knowledge of music theory and history. Those who do not wish to take the full music minor or play an instrument can still take a music appreciation course to get in on the fun!
