About the School of Communication & the Arts
Communicators in the 21st century enjoy resources never imagined by previous generations. Who will harness this power? Those who are skilled at their craft. Regent University’s School of Communication & the Arts trains media and entertainment professionals to the highest standards of the profession and from a Christian worldview. With an emphasis on knowledge and faith — together — our students are taught by expert faculty in state-of-the-art facilities.
Shape Your Culture — Integrate Your Faith — Develop Your Artistry
You believe that redemptive, positive-value stories are worth telling. At Regent University’s School of Communication & the Arts (SCA), we can teach you to craft your stories in ways that are both compelling and meaningful. Here, you can learn how to develop your voice, perfect your God-given talent, engage your audience, and leave a lasting impression — all in a faith-based environment that helps you align your artistic vision with your calling.
As a Regent student, you can have access at your disposal to state-of-the-art facilities, numerous opportunities to practice your craft, and an accomplished faculty of mentors who are published scholars, playwrights and media professionals. These resources have led to 478 prestigious awards in film at the regional, national and international levels, as well as multiple awards for journalism publications, theatre performances, music videos and television programs.
Are you ready to tell your story?
We are proud of our successful Regent University alumni and their accomplishments. Regent alums work in the television and film industry including local and national commercials, television sitcoms, episodic dramas, independent films and major studio films. They also work for local and national news networks, off-Broadway productions, regional theatres, and elite universities. Our alumni serve as directors, producers, scriptwriters, animators, news anchors, talk show hosts, actors, journalists, researchers, writers, editors and professors. Additionally, many of our graduates have started thriving businesses or have successful careers as freelancers.
Meet some of our successful Regent University alumni:
It was a cool, crisp day in 2008. Regent University’s School of Communication and the Arts (SCA) alumnus Charles Martin 00’ was hiking up Mount Mitchell in North Carolina with a friend. Roughly two to three miles out from civilization, they reached an exposed slope and came under an intense barrage of snow, ice, and winds gusting up to 60 and 70 mph.
Martin didn’t realize it in the moment, but that storm of nearly ten years ago would spark the story behind the feature film, The Mountain Between Us.
“I wanted to be the ‘Doogie Howser’ of the entertainment world,” said Regent University alumnus, David Acuff ’02 (School of Communication & the Arts).
That is to say, he was called into the entertainment industry at the age of nine; he thought he’d go to Hollywood at the age of 12, and maybe run a television studio by the time he was 14. A child prodigy. A screenwriter, M.D.
Sometimes you get lucky. And sometimes you get all the guidance, support that you could ever need. Ashley Dakin, a 2013 graduate from Regent University’s School of Communication & the Arts (SCA), will tell you her story involves both.
Dakin wanted to be an actress since she was 10 years old. As the youngest in her family, she quickly identified with the role of “entertainer.”
Freeman joined SCA faculty during Fall semester 2016 — his second lap as a Regent professor, having first worked for the school in the early ’00s. But his journey to the school — and even Christianity itself — started much earlier. He was raised by a single mother in the heart of Chicago.
“That was during a time when that was considered a little more ‘inappropriate’ than it is now. But she did a wonderful job, raised me in the church and raised me to love the Lord,” said Freeman. “Then I became your typical hellion.”
Having the power to manifest random objects into existence is incredible. But giving that power to someone with a lackluster imagination is, well, pointless.
This is the plot for Regent University School of Communication & the Arts (SCA) alumnus Beecher Reuning’s ’15 short comedic film, A Pointless Pencil.
On May 25, 2016, Regent University School of Communication & the Arts (SCA) alumna Raquel Sangalang ’15 and College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) alumnus Justin Garcia ’14 accepted first place in the category of comedy for their film, Terrance.
The annual College Television Awards mirror the Emmys® selection process and were judged by active Television Academy members.
“Where’s your bedroom?” A ten-year-old boy asks Regent University School of Communication & the Arts alumna Jill Szoo Wilson ’06. She’s pushing her cart through Price Chopper, a grocery store chain in Kansas City, Missouri, and locks eyes with the young boy’s father.
“He thinks you live here,” he explains. And it’s understandable; her image has appeared in television commercials, print advertisements, and even on the sides of semi-trucks as the grocery store’s official spokesperson.
Our alumni are superbly equipped—professionally and spiritually—to return integrity to the fields of communication and the arts. Graduates have been placed in prominent positions in such organizations as:
| American Broadcasting Company (ABC) Family | Microsoft Network/National Broadcasting Company (MSNBC) |
| American Movie Classics (AMC) Cable Network | National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) |
| Ball State University | Norfolk State University |
| Baylor University | Operation Blessing |
| Cable News Network (CNN) | Paramount Pictures |
| Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) | Pepperdine University |
| Cox Communications | Rhythm & Hues Studios |
| Cox Media | Sony Corporation |
| Department of Homeland Security | STRANG Communications |
| Discovery Communications Inc. | The Inspiration Network (INSP) |
| Duke University Medical Center | The Walt Disney Company |
| ESPN, Inc. | Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) Superstation, a division of Time Warner |
| Focus on the Family magazine | Tyndale House Publishers |
| Fox Broadcasting Company | Universal Studios |
| Georgetown University | University of Texas |
| Harvard University | University of Virginia |
| Home Box Office, Inc. (HBO) | Wake Forest University |
| Industrial Light & Magic, a division of Lucasfilm Ltd. | Wheaton College |
| Joyce Meyer Ministries | WorldReach |
| Liberty University | World Vision |
As a Regent University doctoral student, you can complete original research supervised by a faculty member of your school. You can reach milestones for your dissertation as you complete your coursework for the Ph.D. in Communication or Doctor of Strategic Communication program.
These milestones include:
- Exploring a dissertation topic
- Crafting a proposal
- Drafting your dissertation
- Implementing your dissertation design
- Defense of your dissertation
Discover previous dissertations submitted for the Ph.D. in Communication or Doctor of Strategic Communication.
5th Grade Teacher, Rocky Mount Elementary
Regent University taught me how to be a servant leader when it comes to reaching children. I've learned to not just teach students, but to serve them according to what they need.
Mayor, City of Virginia Beach
When you’re leading the largest city in the Commonwealth, you realize quickly, you can’t do it by yourself … so I pray. Regent was a vital factor in my spiritual growth and my professional growth.
Mentoring Program Mentee
I was paired with Mr. Brandon Delfunt, a district attorney near the Atlanta area. He has given me very solid advice, in regard to law school and personally. He told me about how crazy everything can seem in law school with all the assignments and the extra-curricular activities that can pile up. But he also told me that he is glad that he did it. This was very encouraging for me personally because I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed. I know the day will come when I look back and am glad that I did it, as well.
New York Times Best-Selling Author
Regent professors caused me to learn to think critically in a way I had never done. [They] forced me to think well, and at the root of writing well is thinking well.
Founding Partner of Phillips & Peters, PLLC
Regent gave me an understanding of how to think about law and how to think like a lawyer; it also gave me practical classes and training to do good and help people.
Dean, Regent University's School of Business & Leadership
This isn't just a job for me — this is a ministry. Whatever I've done at Regent I've always had the sense that this is what God has called me to do.
Nurse
With 30+ years of nursing experience, I saw myself as a leader, but I felt this nudging from God to go back to school. I’ve discovered my new calling: to serve as a life coach.
Director of Business Intelligence, Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance
Regent prepared me to step into the unknown with confidence and skill.
TESOL
The adult track of the TESOL program in Regent's School of Education prepared me to work with students on a beginning English level as well as students on the postgraduate level.
School Principal, Chesapeake Public Schools
One of the biggest skills I learned through my studies at Regent was confidence. I learned that I am worthy, and I can go forward in my career and affect more students than just those in my own classroom.
Professor, The George Washington University
Regent University faculty have been incredibly compassionate, prayerful and flexible in supporting me academically and personally. I am a better student, person and professor because of the stellar example I have in Regent’s faculty.
NILD Educational Therapy
From the professors to advisors to support staff, my experience at Regent has been extremely satisfying, and I highly recommend the program to others.
Director of Operations, Regent University School of Divinity
I experienced the Regent difference after visiting some of the best known seminaries. The faculty here prayed over each prospective student and laid hands on each of us. The Holy Spirit confirmed for me that day the Regent School of Divinity was where I needed to be.
Organizational Leadership
"I consider my years in my Ph.D. program at Regent the best investment I ever made in my career. The time, energy and money spent in the program have paid off many times over. I consider the faculty to be world class, and my peers in my cohort are true friends and colleagues."
Senior Admissions Counselor, School of Law, Regent University
Regent served as a place for acquiring a top-quality academic experience.
Acting
We were taught practical skills for the workplace in Regent's classroom. Now I can see how they work in a professional environment.
Scholarship Recipient
My parents immigrated here when they were really young. My family is a big reason of why I’m interested in immigration law – I know how tough the process is, how complex it can be....(The faculty) build you up to not just be an attorney, but to be the best attorney possible and to represent Christ through all of it.
Testing Director & Program Specialist, Virginia Department of Corrections
After a month of online learning at Regent, I thought, 'Man, this is the best thing!' Not only did I get to learn my discipline, I got to learn how my values and my beliefs can be intertwined into my discipline.
Practical Theology
My journey through the School of Divinity was transformational, challenging and inspirational. The Spirit-filled faculty and staff were dedicated to my success as a student and a military officer. My classes — both on campus and online — exuded excellence and sound biblical teaching.Admissions FAQ
We require a minimum 3.0 GPA from an accredited university. The School of Communication & the Arts will make acceptance decisions based on the totality of the student’s application file. We look at GPA, standardized test scores, the writing sample, references and the personal goals statement when considering someone for admission. If any one of these items is not strong the other pieces may help strengthen that applicant’s file.
Yes, the School of Communication & the Arts has merit scholarships which are competitive and based on a student’s undergraduate GPA. See the Financial Aid section of our website for full details. We award financial aid monies on a first come, first served basis, so apply as early as possible for best chances at aid money.
Yes, upon acceptance you have up to one academic year to enroll. If you do not matriculate within one academic year, a new application will be required.
Oftentimes applicants will send us transcripts while in their senior year of school. The transcript is missing a final class or two, and thus the actually earned degree (B.A., B.S., etc.) is not posted on the transcript. Regent needs the final transcript where the degree earned has been clearly posted. Until we receive that final transcript, your admissions file is still incomplete.
An MFA is a talent-based terminal degree. This represents the highest academic degree one could earn in the performing arts field (there is no Ph.D. in Acting, Directing, etc.). An MFA not only credentials you in your field, but it is also a requirement to teach performing arts at the university level. An M.A., on the other hand, is a graduate degree which will still fully immerse you in your field and prepare you for your career, but since it requires fewer hours, it is not considered a terminal degree. Your future career aspirations should determine whether you pursue an M.A. or an MFA. If you have any doubt as to the best option for you, we would be glad to discuss this with you.
Our admissions office aims to have a decision made on your file within five business days from the time it is completed. All MFA and Ph.D. files are reviewed at one time annually by degree.
Students are encouraged to go at the pace they are comfortable with. Many students hold full-time jobs and have families, taking only one or two classes per semester as time allows.
We don’t have a “typical” student. We are a community of artists and professionals-in-training who, though varied in our passions and interests, are united in a common desire to see the light of Christ shine through our creative works. Our student population is about equally split between males and females. Our average student is aged 34, though we have students in the program from age 20 to 60. We have an ethnically diverse student body as well: Caucasian, 67 percent; African-American, 17 percent; Hispanic, 4 percent; Other, 12 percent.
Technology FAQ
In the School of Communication & the Arts, technical tools are important for effectively accomplishing class projects. While we don’t endorse any platform, in particular, we offer the following guidelines:
No, some students buy their own, but Regent University’s FTV Equipment Office stocks cameras and other equipment needed for FTV class assignments.
Regent University strongly recommends that FTV students purchase their own system for editing class projects. FTV courses require students to shoot and edit their own class projects.
Regent University recommends that you purchase your own system for editing class projects. For general coursework, there are several computer labs on campus, but there are no general editing labs.
An older computer might run new editing software, but performance will be slow and possibly unstable. If your system is more than three years old or does not meet minimum software requirements, you should consider a new computer system.
Buying a new system gets you a warranty from the manufacturer. Manufacturer warranties are typically one year, but most offer an extended three-year-warranty for an additional cost. A newer system is faster and more stable, which can make you more productive with less waiting and frustration.
Because requirements are so complex and varied, we strongly advise that you follow your software’s recommended — not the minimum — configuration for whichever system you choose.
Both platforms are viable for post-production work — assuming proper configurations in both cases. However, Apple editing software only works on Macs. Avid and Adobe software work on both Macs and PCs.
While laptops offer portability, properly configured systems are costly and offer limited upgrade capability. In general, properly configured desktops are less costly than laptops and are easier to upgrade.
Depending on your editing needs, there are several good choices. Your system must be able to input, edit and output HD video in various formats. It must also be able to create titles and layer several tracks of audio (dialogue, sound effects and music). Depending on your needs, this can be as basic as the free software that often comes bundled with computers or as elaborate as the professional systems on the market.
Regent recommends that you have a DVD burner for completing assignments and for data backups, but it’s not required. External, name-brand USB DVD burners can be purchased for under $30.
Yes, the faster and higher the capacity the better. USB 3 for PCs and Thunderbolt or USB 3 for Macs.
No, computer or editing software problems should be handled by the manufacturer or dealer. Regent University recommends that you buy an extended service agreement with help-desk support if you’re not comfortable troubleshooting on your own.