Bachelor of Arts Communication Studies

College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences 120 credits

Degree Program Description The Communication Studies program is highly flexible, allowing students to select from a broad range of courses to develop a plan of study to prepare them for careers in all aspects of communication. The Communication Studies degree program prepares students for the ever-changing workplace of the future. In the Communication Studies program, we develop your skills so you can more effectively speak, write, create, persuade, lead, think critically and work with others—life-long skills identified by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as the most important qualities employers seek in new hires. Students take a core set of courses that set the theoretical foundations for the field and then students choose an informal area of application in the following:

• Strategic Communication – Majors focused in this Application Area learn to design and execute communication messages and campaigns to inform and persuade specific audiences. Students will hone their writing, speaking and critical thinking skills as they explore communication contexts, theories, and processes as a means of understanding and critically analyzing social influence.

• Managerial & Leadership Communication – Majors in this Application Area focus on the communicative practices that occur in organizational settings. Students gain the theoretical and practical understanding necessary to manage and lead for-profit and non-profit organizations by managing teams, planning projects and events, leading change, solving problems, and developing communication competencies.

• Communication & Public Advocacy –Majors in this Application Area develop a diverse set of skills by studying the theory, philosophy and practical applications of rhetoric and persuasion in areas including social activism, government, law, religion and professional writing. Students explore social movements, cultural studies, political campaigns, human rights, and public argumentation as a means of analyzing public discourse and advocating on behalf of individuals, organizations and causes.

Job Opportunities: • Event Manager • Nonprofit Administrator • Recruiter • Diversity Officer • Political Campaign Director • Development Officer/Fundraiser • Health Promotion Specialist • Corporate Communication Director • Conflict Mediation Specialist/Crisis Manager

Department Resources and Facilities: Our students enjoy opportunities to:

• Use the Computer Mediated Communication Lab in Compton Hall 210 for creating presentations and producing visual materials using the Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Cloud applications and arriving at effective decisions using Expert Choice.

• Join the Applied Communicators of Edinboro (ACE) student club affiliated through the Communication Studies Department and the National Communication Association.

• Join the Department’s chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the official honor society of the National Communication Association, the largest professional organization for communication scholars and educators.

• Volunteer and help coordinate the annual Edinboro Highland Games and Scottish Festival. Held each year in September, the event draws thousands of visitors to experience the rich traditions of Scotland, including world-class musicians, fine gift vendors, fiddle and harp competitions, highland dance and athletic competitions, pipe band and solo competitions, clan gatherings, kids’ crafts and games, and traditional Scottish food. In addition, students regularly plan events for Make-A-Wish and Boro Women’s Services, among other nonprofit organizations.

Bachelor degree – Communication Studies The following eight-semester schedule of courses provides a recommended framework for completing this program of study in four years. A minimum of 15 credit hours per semester is suggested in the following course plan. If students have any questions regarding their program of study should consult their academic adviser.

Related minors • Communication Studies • English • Journalism