Department of Communication Studies

Communication Studies focuses on how people use messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts, cultures, channels, and media. The study of communication leads to personal development, career success and responsible citizenship.

We offer a Liberal Arts degree, academically-focused degree, yet our courses are practical because they provide useful information for all aspects of life—personal relationships, work, civic engagement, and service. However, we are not a pre-professional program; we don’t train people to do specific communications jobs.

The Department emphasizes an understanding of communication in three areas:
- Media and Visual Culture
- Relational and Organizational Communication
- Rhetoric and Civic Engagement

The Department offers an undergraduate program, a graduate program, a media studies minor, teacher licensing in speech, scholarships and other special activities.