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B.A. in Communication

Choose from three dynamic concentrations: communication media; interpersonal, organizational and rhetorical communication; or public relations.

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in communication will prepare you for a career in public relations, the media or multiple employment contexts that require strong communication skills. You’ll conduct research and engage with faculty and fellow students on projects — some with local impact, others that could change the world.

Degree Requirements

Students must complete 39 credit hours of communication coursework while pursuing their degrees.

Core Courses

  • COM 110: Public Speaking
    • Note: Communication media students may instead take COM 112: Interpersonal Communication. 
  • COM 230: Communication Theory
  • COM 240: Communication Inquiry 
  • COM 250: Communication and Technology

Concentrations

You’ll select from three dynamic concentrations: communication media; interpersonal, organizational and rhetorical communication; or public relations. Students are encouraged to carefully review concentration course requirements with their advisor.

Focus on the role of media as the infrastructure that makes communication possible. You’ll combine theoretical and critical understanding of media technologies and discourses with practical skills in media production and critical media-making in areas such as: audiovisual production, games, mobile media and computational media.

Learn theories about human communication processes and problems within interpersonal relationships, organizations, groups and teams, and public and political interactions. As you begin to understand how communication influences close relationships, families, co-workers and employees, you’ll develop important argumentation and conflict management skills for personal and public environments. 

Study communication theories and methods that help establish and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with employees, consumers, stockholders, media and other target audiences. You’ll create news releases, digital and print public relations tools, and other forms of organizational communication, and discover best practices for social media and other new technologies.

What Can I Do With My Degree?

Our graduates work for top organizations across the globe. They manage public relations campaigns, work in front of and behind the camera, handle publicity and event planning for major corporations and more.

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