Bachelor of Science in Development Communication
     The BS in Development Communication program is a four-year undergraduate degree program that equips students to become communication professionals and catalysts for development and social change. As a communication program, it focuses on how verbal and nonverbal messages are used to create meanings in various contexts using different media platforms. It includes a broad range of subjects, including communication, natural and social sciences, and other technical courses, such as agriculture, health, and the environment.Â
PROGRAM GOALS AND DEGREE OUTCOMES
     The BS in Development Communication program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed in teaching, managing, and implementing communication programs for development.
     The graduates of the program are expected to exhibit the following learning outcomes:
- 1. Develop a critical understanding of development perspectives
- 2. Define and access information needs; assess and organize information and knowledge, produce, share and utilize Information and knowledge.
- 3. Apply communication theories/models, principles, practices and tools development work.
- 4. Conduct communication research, monitoring and evaluation
- 5. Develop and produce multi-media materials.
- 6. Integrate technical knowledge (e.g., Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Health Sciences and Applied Sciences) In content development and management.
- 7. Develop a communication program/plan.
- 8. Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills as a linker, networker and mediator.
- 9. Communicate in different formats and platforms (print, broadcast and online).
- 10. Demonstrate program management and leadership skills.
- 11. Develop entrepreneurial capabilities.
- 12. Adhere to ethical standards and practices.
- 13. Know and practices rights, responsibilities, and accountabilities in the communication profession.
CAREER PATHWAYS
    Graduates of this program may find employment as public and corporate communication/information officers, social science and communication researchers/analysts, communication/media planners and managers, program/project development officers, media practitioners, learning system designers, multimedia designers, and in the allied/related professions.
PROGRAM MILESTONES
established in 1999
The program was established in 1999, making it the only communication degree program in Samar Province.
AACCUP Level II Re-accredited
The Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) awarded the program with a Level II Re-accredited status.
Certificate of Program Compliance
The program was granted with the Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) by the Commission on Higher Education.
INSTITUTION MEMBER OF ADCEP
The institution is a member of the Association of Development Communication Educators and Practitioners (ADCEP) Philippines Inc.
BSDEVCOM FACULTY
RHEA JENNY A. OGALESCO
BSDevCom Program Chair
PHIL HAROLD L. MERCURIO
BSDevCom Laboratory-in-Charge
JOSE GERWIN P. BABON
Campus Radio Broadcast Producer
GINA A. DEAN
Pro-DevCom Society Adviser
PRECIOUS JOYCE D. OGDOC
University Researcher for Social Sciences
LOURENCE MAE B. ALKUINO
Pro-DevCom Society Adviser
NHERU B. VERAFLOR
(on study leave)
RESEARCH PRIORITY AREAS
- Crisis communication and Risk Management
- Communication strategies for behavior change and social development
- Digital Media's Role in Development and Policy Advocacy
- Community Media and Public Information
- Media Literacy and Education
- Indigenous and Local Communication Systems for Sustainable Development
- Health Information and Promotion
- Peace and Conflict Resolution
- Organizational Communication
EXTENSION PROJECTS
Improving Public Information Management through Social Media Literacy of Sangguniang Kabataan in Brgy. Nijaga, Calbayog City (JANUARY - JUNE 2022)
This extension project aimed to enhance the capabilities of the SK officials and members in managing public information through social media literacy in Brgy. Nijaga, Calbayog City. The capacity-building activities were the following: (1) Seminar on Good Governance and Public Information, (2) Training on Public Information Management, (3) Social Media Management Planning, (4) Social Media Content Writing Workshop and Training-Workshop in Digital Communication Materials Production on Graphics/Lay-outing and Basic video editing.
Capacity-Building for Media Practitioners and Creation of a Media Consortium/Network in Samar (January 2022-August 2023)
The project intended to capacitate media professionals, considering the increasing shift from traditional to digital media landscape, and the current socio-political issues that shape media production and consumption. The following were the specific objectives, to wit: 1. enhance media skills of media professionals; 2. improve media professionalism (ethic, laws, regulations, safety); 3. create a media consortium/network to share knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as function as check and balance among media professionals; and 4. create a localized-based media training modules for media professionals.
OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
Power of the Press: A Campus Journalism Workshop Series in PANOYPOY INTEGRATED SCHOOL (March 2025)
This is a community outreach program led by the BSDevCom faculty in collaboration with the Panoypoy Integrated School, Oquendo District, Calbayog City. This workshop series aimed to provide aspiring student journalists with foundational skills in news and feature writing, editorial writing, photojournalism, layout and design, and media ethics. This workshop series sought to nurture the next generation of responsible journalists who can advocate for press freedom, ethical journalism, and democratic values in the country.