Sequences

The Communication Studies degree provides three sequences or areas of specialization.

Interpersonal Communication

This program focuses on communication interaction between individuals and the impact each has on the other. The program provides a grounding in the power of communication to affect outcomes and relations across a variety of settings. Often, coursework may examine relationship development in families, social settings, and work. Typical careers include social services, human relations, interpersonal consulting, affirmative actions, sales, and counseling.

Organizational and Leadership Communication

This program enhances communication knowledge, understanding, and skills for enhancing organizational relationships. The goal of this sequence is to equip the student to successfully use communication as a tool to enhance organizational outcomes. Students will gain an understanding of how communication processes can be used to manage behaviors in an organizational context while becoming a competent communicator. Typical careers include community relations, convention planning, training specialist, entry-level and executive management, corporate communication.

Political Communication

Political Communication is concerned with being actively engaged with local, regional, state, national, and international issues and how the power of information, persuasion, and strategic message design can be used to understand and affect outcomes at those levels, particularly in the area of governance and governmental & societal behavior. Students become knowledgeable and skilled in the use of political messages to promote causes, candidates, campaigns, etc. Typical careers include politics and political consulting, persuasion design, media analysis, educational support, speech writing, strategic/campaign message design.