Communication is the study of how people use messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts, cultures, channels and media. The mission of the Department of Communication is to provide students with education in the theory, history, ethics and practice of communication and to prepare them for careers in communication management, communication studies, electronic media, journalism, public relations and theatre. The department offers a diverse curriculum that emphasizes the role of highly competent, well-trained and ethically driven communicators.

A Bachelor of Arts in communication prepares students for professional careers in a wide range of communication fields such as broadcasting, communication management, journalism and public relations, and graduate studies in areas such as business, communication and law. Communication majors also have success in fields such as business, education, government,healthcare, international relations, and social and human services.

The major in communication allows a focused program of study in one of five concentrations:

The communication management concentration prepares students to develop and
manage people, information, technology and messages in contemporary organizations.
The study of communication management prepares students for a wide range of careers in business, education, government and nonprofit organizations. Students have begun their careers as human resource managers, product managers, information technology specialists, corporate communication managers, sales representatives, shareholder relations specialists, directors of communication, technical recruiters and marketing managers.

The public relations concentration prepares students to research, plan, implement and evaluate communications between an organization and its publics, monitor an organization’s environment, and recommend programs and policies. Upon graduation, students have begun their careers as corporate public relations specialists, account managers, media planners, development officers, marketing specialists, publicity managers, sales managers, creative directors and account executives.

The electronic media concentration provides students with course work and experience in both the traditional and newer media, and in emerging communication technologies. Students also study the social, economic and international dimensions of electronic media. A sampling of careers in electronic media and radio-television broadcasting include broadcasting station manager, director of broadcasting, video and film editor, news director, sports director, community relations director, technical director, media buyer, market researcher, news anchor, sports anchor, announcer, producer, director and unit manager.

Courses in the journalism concentration provide students with the knowledge they need to understand how news and information is selected, gathered, prepared and disseminated. Students also develop an understanding of the ethical and legal expectations in the profession and the working practices of journalists. The study of journalism prepares students for reporting, editing, management and publishing positions. Students have begun their careers as reporters, editors, newscasters, copywriters, scriptwriters, technical writers and in a variety of online journalism positions.

The theatre concentration prepares students for a professional career in the performing arts, either on stage or in theatre management, instruction, technical and production positions. In the theatre program, students have the opportunity to learn in an environment in which a community of artists and scholars work collaboratively toward the study, practice and development of the theatre art.

Students may also select the communication studies concentration, allowing development of an individualized program of study in communication by completing the four foundation courses and nine additional communication classes that match their specific academic and career interests.

Faculty in the Department of Communication are outstanding teachers, scholars and
mentors. At the beginning of their first semester on campus, students are assigned a faculty adviser who will serve as a primary contact in developing a program of study and exploring career options.

The Department of Communication also offers a nationally recognized Master of Arts
degree in communication. Outstanding undergraduates have the opportunity to enroll in
graduate classes and extend their studies to earn a master’s degree in a five-year B.A./M.A. program.