Students listen to Erik A. Moses speak at CEMB Diversity Symposium

Student Opportunities

College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences offers unique academic and professional experiences for students in all of its undergraduate and graduate programs. Students are invited to dive deep into exploring their fields outside the classroom by attending panels and participating in discussions with scholars, authors and other influential figures from Nashville and beyond. The college also offers opportunities to gain professional experience toward career goals through programs such as Tower Creative Communications, the Belmont Literary Journal and the Speech and Debate team. Plus, our students land prestigious internships off campus too, gaining resume-building experience from companies and organizations in Nashville as well as cities across the U.S. and around the world.

 

Internships

A degree from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) can prepare you for a number of careers. One important step down the path to a successful career is gaining valuable work experience through internships. Completing internships allows students to apply what they’re learning in their courses, while also giving them opportunities to network, gain relevant skills and get clarity on potential career paths. In short, internships are a vital learning opportunity that also help make students more marketable and successful employees.

According to recent data, 82 percent of CLASS graduates participated in internships during their time at Belmont, and across the University, 44 percent of graduates noted that they obtained or found their current employment from an internship they had while at Belmont. Clearly, an education from Belmont can take you “from here to anywhere,” and internships are an important part of the journey.

Rainbow book created in an adult art class

Belmont Literary Journal

The Belmont Literary Journal recently celebrated its 40th birthday; since its inception, it has been a showcase for the writing and art of Belmont University's student body, as each issue is made up of work from the Belmont community. The editorial team, which is composed entirely of students, is led by a faculty advisor, but the content published each year is selected, edited and promoted solely by student-editors. For the last several years, The Belmont Literary Journal--which is created in a course within the English Department, ENW 3680--has made its home online and can be found at www.belmontlitjournal.com; each issue is also designed by students and published for the entire world to view.

Tower Creative Communications

Tower Creative Communications is the nationally affiliated, student-run strategic communication agency at Belmont University. Established in 2006 as a professional development initiative of Belmont’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), Tower Creative strives to deliver excellent communication strategies and tactics to meet actual needs, solve real problems and, ultimately, advance their clients’ missions.

The agency welcomes a diverse group of student associates—from any major or minor—with knowledge and skills in public relations, marketing, management, audio/video production, graphic design, photography, social media management, web design and writing. Working together, associates sharpen their skills, build their portfolios and bolster their confidence while serving the communication needs of on- and off-campus clients.

Speech and Debate Team

Who we are:

Students with varying majors and interests: future lawyers, aspiring broadcasters, theatre enthusiasts, people seeking to conquer their fear of public speaking and people looking for a fun and challenging extra curricular activity.

What we do:

  • Individual Events (IE) - prepare speeches or cuttings from poetry, fiction and play
  • Parliamentary Debate - limited preparation team debate

Both IE and Debate students travel to weekend tournaments and participate in rounds of competition with students from colleges and universities all over the United States. All travel expenses are covered by the university. We practice one hour a week and travel to approximately four weekend tournaments each semester. Our season begins in August and ends in April.

Student presenting debate topic in suit and tie

Why join the Speech & Debate team?

  • 1-3 hours of class credit
  • Thrill of competition
  • Polished public speaking skills
  • Knowledge of politics and great literature
  • Life-long friendships
  • Social events
  • Travel the country

2022 TIFA State Overall Champions

2022 TIFA State Individual Event Champions

2022 TIFA State Debate Runners-Up

2021 NCCFA Division III National Champions

  • 2022 Alex Jordan and Jace Wilder NFA Duo Interpretation Semifinalists
  • 2022 Jasmine Pettus: NFA Poetry Interpretation Quarterfinalist
  • 2022 Alisa Osborne: NFA Informative Speaking Quarterfinalist
  • 2022 Alex Jordan: TIFA Overall State Speech Champion
    2021 Alex Jordan and Aaron Kleinschmidt: NCCFA National Duo Champions
  • 2019 Alexander Baynum: NCCFA Overall National Speech Champion

Belmont's undergraduate AMTA Mock Trial team allows you to develop and showcase your trial advocacy skills while gaining experience for a future law career. Trained mock trial members compete annually in several mock trial tournaments across the country, sponsored by AMTA, the governing body for intercollegiate mock trial competition. At these tournaments, teams of students simulate jury trials by presenting each side of a civil or criminal case against teams from other schools. You'll argue motions, examine witnesses and deliver opening and closing statements before panels of judges and attorneys who provide feedback after each round of competition. You'll also meet and work with professors and attorneys in preparation for competition.

Speech & Debate Contact