The School of Communication Studies (COMS) offers a liberal arts education, emphasizing the scientific and artistic bases of communication. The School is committed to providing quality instruction in the theoretical understanding of human communication and the application of theory in specific contexts. The core courses combine theory and practice as students study the historical and conceptual foundations of the field of communication. An historical understanding of communication theory is useful but insufficient in a globally competitive world, so the major in communication studies also equips students with the competencies most prized by employers including strong oral and written communication, effective interpersonal and group communication skills, critical thinking, meeting planning, and problem-solving/decision-making.
The faculty and staff of COMS are committed to scholarship, teaching, and service in ways that improve the community and offer directions for change in the world. Accordingly, we seek students who want to challenge themselves to develop their potential in and out of the classroom.
Areas of Emphasis
Students majoring in Communication Studies focus their studies in one of the following areas, preparing them for a variety of possible career paths:
- Organizational Communication
- Health Communication
- Public Communication and Advocacy
- Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication
Organizational Communication
Communication is a defining feature of organizations. Organizational communication is the study of how individuals construct and exchange messages to enable goal-oriented activity and cope with uncertainty. Coursework adopts a communication approach to exploring organizational structures, interpersonal relationships, power and control, leadership, organizational socialization, and difference at work.
Learning about Organizational Communication is inspired by questions like:
- How are organizational cultures created, maintained, and changed through communication?
- How do emergent technologies shape how people organize to reach individual and collective goals?
- What is the role of communication in managing and negotiating relational conflicts in the workplace?
- What roles does communication play in developing and enacting leadership in ways that affect change, decision-making, and organizational outcomes?
- In what ways does communication facilitate organizational socialization?
- How are organizational missions and strategic visions communicated to internal and external stakeholders?
- How do environmental, economic, and regulatory forces impact organizational communication practices?
Recent graduates are employed in major consulting firms, national financial service providers, conference planning companies, and information management organizations.
Career Pathways in Organizational Communication
Public Relations, Sales & Marketing
- Professionals in this field use strategic messaging to promote organizational goals, manage brand image, and influence public perception. Communication is key in pitching ideas, managing crises, and navigating evolving media landscapes.
Human Resource Management
- Communication shapes organizational culture, supports conflict resolution, and drives employee engagement. HR professionals use strategic communication to recruit, retain, and advocate for talent while managing organizational change.
Event Planning
- Event planners use strong interpersonal and organizational communication to coordinate logistics, manage client relationships, and advocate for stakeholder needs. Effective messaging ensures smooth collaboration and successful outcomes.
Nonprofit Organizing
- Nonprofit communicators tell compelling stories, promote social causes, and build community engagement. They navigate internal and external communication challenges to drive missions forward and inspire collective action.
Social Media & Emerging Technologies
- Professionals in this area create and manage content that shapes identity, responds to crises, and builds audience engagement. Social media serves as a powerful tool for storytelling, branding, and real-time interaction.
Consulting (Domestic & International)
- Consultants advise organizations on communication strategies to improve internal processes and public messaging. In global settings, they apply intercultural communication skills to help multinational teams collaborate effectively.
Health Communication
Students focused on Health Communication are concerned with people’s communication and knowledge needs in such areas as the relationships between patients and their health care providers, family dynamics, dissemination of health information, and the use of emerging technology to improve health and healthcare.
Learning about Health Communication is inspired by questions like:
- How are health care relationships created, maintained, and shifted through communication?
- How do families communicate about health?
- How do cultural differences shape health communication?
- How do environmental, economic, and political forces impact health communication?
- How do emerging technologies shape health communication practices?
- How are health campaigns designed, implemented, and evaluated?
Recent graduates are employed in health care organizations as patient advocates or in human resources, in non-profit health agencies, and as pharmaceutical sales representatives.
Career Pathways in Health Communication
Health & Social Services
- Health and social service professionals use communication to support therapeutic relationships, promote patient advocacy, and coordinate care across various settings. Strong interpersonal and organizational communication skills are essential for navigating workplace dynamics, facilitating health initiatives, and enhancing provider-patient interactions.
Public Health
- Public health communication specialists develop campaigns, manage risk messaging, and enhance health literacy within communities. This career emphasizes persuasive messaging, public advocacy, and the strategic coordination of health-related programming to promote societal well-being.
E-Health
- E-health professionals focus on how digital platforms shape health communication, including telemedicine, health apps, online databases, and patient portals. Communication scholars in this field help design, manage, and evaluate digital systems that support health access, privacy, and education in virtual environments.
Public Communication and Advocacy
Students concentrating their studies in Public Communication and Advocacy focus on the integration of political and legal communication theory and practice. Coursework emphasizes the role of communication in argument, debate, and politics, including the ethical and rhetorical implications of constitutional guarantees and persuasive strategies characteristic of contemporary political communication.
Learning about Public Communication and Advocacy is inspired by questions, including:
- How does one advocate for social and cultural change, environmental causes, or as a participant in the political process?
- How does communication shape public opinion and influence policy change?
- How do constitutional rights, like freedom of speech and assembly, impact public advocacy?
- What makes an argument persuasive in political and legal contexts?
- What role does media (including social media) play in shaping advocacy today?
- How do communication strategies differ between grassroots movements and institutional lobbying efforts?
- What is the relationship between public advocacy and civic engagement in a democratic society?
- What are the limitations and possibilities of protest, storytelling, and public performance as forms of advocacy?
- How do legal frameworks affect the way advocates can speak, protest, or organize?
- What communication tactics are most effective in combating misinformation in political advocacy?
Recent graduates are attending nationally ranked law schools, working as state legislative staff shaping policy, lobbying for causes in Washington, D.C., and managing political campaigns. Others are working with grassroots movements, developing strategic messaging for advocacy organizations, and analyzing public policy. Many pursue careers in nonprofit leadership, public affairs, and community outreach to drive meaningful change.
Career Pathways in Public Communication and Advocacy
Legal Advocacy For students who want to use communication to shape justice and policy.
- Legal Advocacy emphasizes how strategic communication is essential in the legal process—from pre-trial negotiation and courtroom argumentation to legal writing and public discourse. Communication students in this path learn how messages influence judges, juries, clients, and communities, and how legal institutions shape and are shaped by public rhetoric.
Social & Cultural Advocacy For students who want to be a voice for meaningful change.
- This path focuses on how communication practices can shape political systems, amplify voice, and create productive communities. Students explore the role of culture, identity, and discourse in social and political life.
Environmental Advocacy For students who want to protect the planet through persuasive and ethical communication.
- Environmental advocacy highlights how effective communication helps shape public opinion, inform policy, and mobilize communities around issues like sustainability, climate change, and food justice. Students develop the rhetorical and strategic skills needed for environmental campaigns and science communication.
Government For students interested in improving how public institutions engage with citizens.
- This path explores how communication fosters transparency, builds public trust, and informs civic participation. Students examine the role of strategic messaging, public affairs, and ethical discourse in governmental and public service settings.
Politics & Campaigns For students who want to shape public opinion, lead campaigns, or run for office.
- This path focuses on the strategic use of communication in political settings—from crafting persuasive messages and speeches to analyzing public opinion and managing media relations. Students learn how to ethically engage and mobilize voters and constituents.
Education & Outreach For students who want to design programs and campaigns to inform and engage the public on relevant issues.
- This path emphasizes issues like health, victims’ rights, civic engagement, or sustainability. Students learn how to educate and involve stakeholders in community initiatives.
Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication
Communication plays a central role in the development and care of human relationships from families to organizations and communities. Students in this area of emphasis take a communicative approach to examining concepts such as identity, family, conflict, support, and wellbeing. Students also explore how cultural differences shape relationships and communication dynamics in a variety of contexts.
Learning about Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication is inspired by questions like:
- How can effective interpersonal communication foster deeper, meaningful, and compassionate relationships in everyday life?
- How do cultural differences influence communication styles and perceptions?
- What are the opportunities and challenges in fostering effective cross-cultural communication in various settings?
- In what ways can communication create, define, and sustain relationships across contexts?
- How are cultural identities shaped through different contexts like family, friendship, and organizations?
- How can organizations create productive environments that accommodate different communication styles and cultural/relational norms?
- How can technology be used to enhance intercultural communication and understanding?
- How do shifting global cultural trends shape interpersonal communication practices?
- How can intercultural communication skills be integrated into successful global business practices?
Career Pathways in Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication
International Relations Specialist
- Professionals in this field work on diplomatic and international affairs, often focusing on how cultural differences affect international relations, policy-making, and global strategies.
Community Relations Manager
- This role focuses on fostering positive and productive relationships between an organization and the communities it serves. Effective communication is crucial for engaging with different community groups and addressing their needs.
Cultural Liaison
- These professionals act as intermediaries between organizations and cultural groups or between countries. They often conduct workshops or training sessions to enhance cultural competence and improve global collaboration
Humanitarian Aid Worker
- In roles such as program coordinator or field officer, professionals work in various cultural contexts to provide aid and support. Understanding cultural dynamics is crucial for effective communication and program implementation.
Conflict Resolution Specialist
- This role involves mediating and resolving disputes in various settings, including international conflicts or organizational disagreements. Skills in interpersonal communication and cultural sensitivity are essential for facilitating resolutions.
Social Science Researcher
- These roles involve studying and analyzing social and cultural dynamics within different populations. Research often includes exploring how cultural factors influence communication and relationships.
Cultural Competency Trainer in Healthcare
- Healthcare professionals with expertise in cultural communication work to improve patient care by training medical staff on how to address various patient needs and cultural sensitivities.
Education Consultant
- Working in schools or educational institutions, education consultants with a focus on intercultural communication help develop curricula and programs that address the needs of various student populations.