what can i do with a degree in communication studies?
DESCRIPTION
An update to our popular presentation on navigating the communication studies major at WVU. Learn about everything from your first 101 course to defending a Ph.D. dissertation or entering the COMM workforce in this presentation. More information? Hit us at comm.wvu.edu.TRANSCRIPT
Department of Communication
Studies
You just got your acceptance letter!
You’re now a Mountaineer!!!
Now what?How do I pick
a major?
WVU Programs of Study
I think a degree in Communication Studies would be fun!
A degree inB.A. in
Communication Studies
How do I start?
http://communicationstudies.wvu.edu
Requirements To Go To
Department As A Pre-Comm
Applied Communication Studiestrack: 29 credit hours,
2.5 overall GPA.
Data Analysis track: 29 credit hours, 3.0
overall GPA, 3.0 communication studies GPA.
Applied Communication Studiestrack: 29 credit hours,
2.5 overall GPA.
Pre-communication studies students are not authorized to take more than 12 credit hours of communication studies courses other than Comm 200 & 201.
(Note; The GPA to be admitted to the major is 2.5 overall; 2.5 Comm GPA; and 2.5 combined GPA in Comm 200 and 201 for applied and 3.0in all for Data Analysis.)
Total hours needed to graduate = 128
B.A. in Communication Studies
Communication is a liberal studies degree. It includes a variety of types of knowledge and ways of thinking. Students of communication
are interested in all aspects of human communication. While human communication is
unique and varied, there is also much about it that is routine and predictable.
The Faculty and Staff of the WVU Department of Communication Studies are comprised of
experts in a wide variety of specializations in the teaching, research, and administration of our
field.
Included in our faculty are professors and instructors recognized by their peers for excellence in scholarship
and education, and our staff members have been similarly honored for their work in service of our
Department as well a WVU.
Undergraduate Program Goals
In recent years the faculty has tried to answer the question, “What should Communication Studies majors know when they’ve finished a degree?”
Intended Learning Outcomes:
Outcome 1: Describe the major theories of human communication and apply them to various contexts.
Outcome 2: Critique communication messages from a social science perspective.
Outcome 3: Cite evidence of the impact of communication on human behavior in interpersonal and/or organizational contexts.
Outcome 4: Identify and describe the functions of media in a democratic society.
Outcome 5: Investigate the role of verbal and nonverbal messages in the human communication process.
Outcome 6: Examine the relationship between communication and culture.
Outcome 7: Design and evaluate effective strategies for social influence.
Outcome 8: Examine ethical issues in various communication contexts.
Outcome 9: Evaluate social science criteria to examine communication research.
Outcome 10: Analyze the role of communication in conflict and conflict management.
Intended Learning Outcomes:
The Department of Communication Studies
offers the B.A., the M.A., and
the Ph.D. degrees in Communication
Studies.
WVU Communication Studies Major Requirements
In order to be eligible for consideration as a major
in Communication Studies, the following criteria must
be met at the end of the current term…
Application for Admission
to Major
1. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better. 2. Students must complete COMM 200 or COMM 201 with a combined GPA of 2.5 or better.
3. A student must earn no less than a C in either COMM 200 and COMM 201, and no less then a B in the other.
4. Students must have a GPA of at least 2.5 in all previous COMM classes.
Big things are coming to The Department of Communication Studies!
We are pleased to announce upcoming changes to our undergraduate curriculum. Beginning in 2013, students majoring in Communication Studies will have the option to choose to study:
•Interpersonal•Health•Social Media and Communication Technology•Strategic and Organizational Communication
An Integrated Communication Studies track, designed to expose students to a more generalist communication education, will also be available.Students will work closely with their major advisors to choose the track that is appealing to them and matches their future career goals.
A degree in Communication Studies opens doors to allow students to be successful in just about any career-from healthcare to human resources, from sales to social media, from image management to promotions.
The new curriculum will make students with a BA in Communication Studies even more attractive to potential employers or graduate programs.
Big things can happen with a Communication Studies degree!
I’ve made my choice! I’m going to be a COMM Major!
Just curious… What are the benefits of a Communication Studies Minor?
WVU Communication Studies Minor Benefits
Communication skills are consistently among the most sought after skills in the workplace. No matter what your major is, communication will be an important aspect of your job. A minor allows you to formally document your knowledge of human communication. In addition, most of the courses required for the minor can be used to meet WVU LSP requirements.
What is a Minor in Communication Studies
A minor allows you to formally document your
knowledge of human communication. In
addition, most of the courses required for the
minor can be used to meet WVU LSP requirements.
A minor consists of 15 hours of course work in the following specified areas:
A. YOU MUST TAKE TWO OF THE FOLLOWING: COMM 100 + 102, COMM 103, COMM 104, COMM 105, COMM 112, or COMM 122 (6 hours total)*A 300- or 400-level COMM course may be substituted for one 100 level course in this category
B. YOU MUST TAKE TWO OF THE FOLLOWING THREE CLASSES: COMM 306, COMM 308, or COMM 316 (6 hours total)
C. ONE ADDITIONAL 3-CREDIT 300- OR 400-LEVEL COMM COURSE, EXCLUDING COMM490. (3 hours total)
FAQ For Minor:• What is the Communication Studies
Minor Code?U001
• Do I need to take a foreign language?No
• What GPA do I need to minor in Communication Studies?
You will need to have a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the time of graduation.
• How do I declare my minor? You need to see your academic advisor
PLEASE CONTACT ANDREA WEBER AT [email protected] OR BY PHONE,
304.293.3905
On my way to Morgantown! Move in day at WVU!
Saying goodbye was much harder than expected…
TO: DADMy first day of classes! Check this out!
TO: MOMI thought you would enjoy this.. My first time on the PRT- on my way to COMM 105!
TO: DADMy first COMM class and professor!
Mom,
I’m loving WVU! I am especially enjoying my COMMUNICATION CLASSES! My professors are awesome!
MOM
Checking out WVU’s COMM website and Facebook! Pretty Sweet!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/wvucommstudies
WVU Advising
How does seeing my academic advisor help me?
Your advisors are there to answer your questions, help solve your problems, and in some cases act as an advocate for you when dealing with problems.
They are not there to schedule your classes or get you into closed classes, and they are not responsible for
your errors.
ADVISING APPOINTMENTS!
Starting October 3 through November 16
Go to:http:wvucommunicationstud.clickbook.net
to schedule your appointment!
PRE-REGISTRATION PRIORITY DATES
SPRING 2013You are eligible to register by WEB beginning on or after the specified dates listed below. The WEB will operate each week from 8:00 AM Monday through Saturday at 11:00 PM. Students will be able to register on or after their priority registration dates as follow:• Check your classification and register at the appropriate time.• Oct 29: Professional, Graduate, Honors-SR, and Exceptions • Oct. 30: Honors-JR, Law-L3 • Oct. 31: Honors-SO, Law-L2 • Nov. 1: Honors-FR, Law-L1 • Nov. 5: Seniors • Nov. 7: Juniors • Nov. 9: Sophomores • Nov. 12: Freshmen
Classifications are based on hours earned and hours in progress for Spring 2012 Term.
Hey friend! My Advisor was talking about Lambda Pi Eta. What is it?
LAMBDA PI ETA is a National Communication Honors Society
LAMBDA PI ETA was established in 1985 and was brought to WVU in 2002.
There are 250 chapters nationwide.
It is recognized in the Association for College Honor Societies
How do I become a member ofLambda Pi Eta?
Lambda Pi Eta Requirements:
Applicants must have:60 total credit hours (sophomore standing)12 hours in Communication Studies3.0 overall GPA3.25 GPA in Comm StudiesThere is a one time lifetime membership fee
LAMBDA PI ETA BASICSEach chapter has an advisor, a president, vice
president, secretary, and treasurer
It is a great opportunity for leadership positions and to make a difference
Applications are available at the WVU Communication Studies website or room 108
Armstrong Hall.
Lambda Pi Eta Bonuses
Spring initiation ceremony at the Waterfront Place Hotel
Free foodGet to know faculty and other membersLooks great on job applicationsCertificate and cord for graduation
2012 LPE initiation ceremonies, held at the Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown, WV.
WVU Lambda Pi Eta Activities
LAMBDA PI ETA ACTIVITIESFundraising
Selling t-shirts
Community ServiceTrunk or TreatVolunteering at The Shack
Tutoring fellow Communication Studies members in Comm 200 and 201
I wonder what other people think about the WVU Comm Department…. Hmmm….
Alexandria Kincaid ‘07“I will remember my internship experience for the rest of my life. The
organizational and communication skills I learned as well as the networks I
made will prove to be valuable throughout graduate school and my future career.”
Meagan Birmingham ’08“Becoming a communication studies major has
been one of the best decisions I’ve made in my
life. Overall it has made me more confident in
my abilities when venturing out into the
working world and allowed me the opportunity
to learn about myself and grow as an individual
so that I am prepared for a variety of ‘real world’ situations.”
I believe the Capstone course alone helped me secure the position through interview practice and resume building.
It has helped me identify and deal with different
personality types.
helped improve communication
skills
I’m in sales so I think Comm
Studies played a large role.
I was prepared to own my own business
How did Communication Studies help the
Alumni?
Higher level of thinking
and questioning.
The Capstone course alone helped me secure the position through interview
practice and resume building.
It has helped me identify and deal with different
personality types.
helped improve communication
skills
I’m in sales so I think Comm
Studies played a large role.
I was prepared to own my own business
How did Communication Studies help the
Alumni?
Advice from Graduating Communication Studies Major: Get to know your professors. Talk to them after class. See them during office hours.
Advice from Graduating Communication Studies Major: Keep everything! Papers, projects, workbooks for future classes and your portfolio!
Do your internship early. Do two if possible
Advice from Graduating Communication Studies Major: Do your internship early. Do two if possible
Get work experience related to what you want to do when you graduate.
Advice from Graduating Communication Studies Major:
Get work experience related to what you want to do when you graduate.
These are details skills learned during my time at WVU. Some skills that were used in all positions throughout my career. ~Katherine Thweatt
• US Government • Teaching Positions
• U.S. Government• Private Sector
Data Analysis, Professional
Relationships, Assessment,
Measurement, Report
Preparation, Content Analysis,
Teaching, Content, Departmental
Participation, IRB, Hiring,
Methodology, Statistics, Problem Solving, Thinking
Course Coordination,
Methodology, Publication, Planning, Hiring, IRB
Procedures, Collegiality, Data Analysis, Programming (SAS made SQL Easy), Data
Structure, Database Establishment,
Understanding Variables, Presentations, Conference
Participation, Communicating with
Anyone, Confidence to Apply skills in Health Care Environment, Self-Report
Development, Training
I need some information about
WVU’s Career Services. Help!
Career Services-
304-293-2221 phone
-Assists students in finding jobs after college.
-Assists students in finding the field of study they are interested in.
-Hold career fairs to help employers find future job prospects.
… and MUCH MORE!
WVU Career Services
What is a Professional Field Experience?
The Professional Field Experience (PFE), or internship, is one of the most valuable learning experiences a student can have at West Virginia University. The PFE affords students opportunities to apply what they have learned in the classroom, make important networking and reference contacts, affirm (or refute) career plans and enhance resumes and portfolios, all essential for future success.
A Professional Field Experience is not simply a part time job. An internship is intended to be a professional leaning experience. Students completing their Professional Field Experience are representatives of the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University and are expected to maintain a high standard of mature and professional contact throughout their PFE.
How do I register for my Professional Field
Experience?
All students are required to complete three credit hours of Comm 491. In most cases, the most relevant form of experience for Communication Studies careers is an internship. However, if you are interested in research-perhaps continuing on to graduate school, you maywork on a research project. You must make sure your project is first approved by Andrea Weber.
I wonder if I have to do an internship…
You must be registered for three credit hours of COMM 491 during the semester in which you complete your internship. You also need permission from PFE Coordinator (108 Armstrong Hall) to obtain permission to register. Permission can be obtained by providing a job description on letterhead for the organization you wish to work to the PFE Coordinator.
When you register via STAR, the default setting for COMM 491 is one credit hour, so be aware of this; make sure you change it to three credit hours.
I wonder how many hours I have to work for my internship…
PROFESSIONAL FIELD EXPERIENCE
Professional Field Experience requires students to spend 144 hours working in a professional environment in order to earn
three credit hours of 491 (what is required for graduation). This averages to about 9 hours a
week for an entire semester.
I did an internship this summer. Can I count
that?
No!
We do not allow internships to count retroactively. This is why it is so important for you to get your internship approved prior to completing it.
How do I obtain a Professional Field Experience/Internship?
There are a number of ways you can obtain an internship.
You may get one on your own or through the Department of
Communication Studies.
Are you interested in our Alumni Mentoring Program?
The Department of Communication Studies is piloting a Comm Studies Student-Alumni Mentoring Program.
• Look through profiles of our alumni and learn about their careers.
• Talk to a Comm Studies alum in your field of interest.• Get advise about your job search or graduate school.• Talk to alum about internship opportunities.
Stop by the Comm Studies Office at 108 Armstrong Hallfor more information
We are looking for feedback from Communication Studies alumni about their experiences in our undergraduate and graduate
programs, including the B.A., Corporate M.A., Instructional M.A., Theory and Research M.A., and both Ed.D. and Ph.D. graduates.
We want to know about how your experiences with us have helped in your current career path, so consider giving us a few moments of
your time? Go ‘Eers!
Go to: http://communicationstudies.wvu.edu/alumni
Being a Comm Major and Mountaineer
ROCKS!!!!
Communication Studiesfor
Now and in the future!
Alumni PartyAt
The Rocktop!Sept. 2012
Recruiterfor
TRAK
Executive Directorfor
West Virginia Department of
Education
Recruitment &Retentions Specialist
forMedExpress
National Office
COMMUNICATION STUDIES SPEED NETWORKING
WITH ALUMNI
Operations Manager &
Helicopter Pilot for
US Army
Program Recruiter for
West Virginia University Office of Extended
Learning WVU Online
Project Manager for
WVU Research Corporation
COMMUNICATION STUDIES SPEED NETWORKING
WITH ALUMNI
COMMUNICATION STUDIES SPEED NETWORKING
WITH ALUMNI
Communication Director
forWVU State
Auditor’s Office
Director of Development
for Mary Babb Randolph
Cancer Center
Business Operations Specialist
forWest Virginia Clinical &
Translational Science Institute
COMMUNICATION STUDIES SPEED NETWORKING
WITH ALUMNI
Senior Associatefor
Mylan Pharmaceuticals
Advertising Manager for
C.A. House Music
Regional Sales Manager
forToshiba America
Information Systems TSD
COMMUNICATION STUDIES SPEED NETWORKING
WITH ALUMNI
Analyst for
The FBI
Director of Communications
forWVU Alumni Association
Founder of the
Evive Station
COMMUNICATION STUDIES SPEED NETWORKING
WITH ALUMNI
Account Executivefor
Ogilvy Public Relations
Senior Schedulerfor
American Electric Power (AEP)
Big Things Can Happen
With A Degree In Communication Studies
In Summer 2012, Communication Studies majors and minors had their first chance to study abroad with the Department in two distinct locations in Eastern Europe: Erfurt, Germany and Budapest, Hungary. Nearly two dozen undergraduate and graduate students spent their summer connecting with new cultures in pursuit of their degrees.
Visit the Study Abroad Page: http://comm.wvu.edu/undergrad/abroad
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY 2012
Study Abroad
ERFURT, GERMANY 2012
Study Abroad
Recent B.A. alum Joy Cox poses with her Top Undergraduate Paper award from the 2012 Eastern Communication Association conference for her research “Relationship Satisfaction and Resilience: Military Couples and Deployment"
The paper is also in press with Human Communication. This work was done in collaboration with
Peggy Rardin McConnell Chair of Speech Communication Dr. Melanie Booth-Butterfield. Cox has been accepted into the M.A. Communication program at the
University of Missouri this coming Fall semester.
Top Awards
Now that I have my B.A. in Communication Studies… What do I do now?
So many
choices!
The graduate faculty in the Department of Communication Studies
is well known, at both the regional and national level, for accomplishments in research, teaching,
and service.
Go to: http://communicationstudies.wvu.edu/
And check out the Masters programs!
You can choose to work and get your Masters degree in a little as 2 years!
M.A. Corporate and Organizational Communication
Providing flexibility, classes typically include both Friday evening and all day Saturday on two weekends and an online component.
Students complete 36 hours of coursework usually over two years. Upon completion of coursework and a comprehensive exam, students are awarded the degree.
More information can be found at:
bit.ly/wvucorporatema
Program Coordinator: Dr Danielle Dolin-Bane
M.A. Instructional Communication
Classes are taught four weeks each summer in Charleston, Clarksburg, Parkersburg, and Wheeling. The program is designed for the professional educator who is employed full-time in the education setting.
Students complete 36 hours of coursework usually over two years. Upon completion of coursework and a comprehensive exam, students are awarded the degree.
http://communicationstudies.wvu.edu/grad/ma-in-instructional-communication
Program Coordinator: Dr. Scott Myers
M.A. Communication & Research
One Year, On-Campus Master’s Program 2013-2014
The deadline for application for admission is April 1, 2013
http://communicationstudies.wvu.edu/grad/ma
Program CoordinatorDr. Keith Weber
M.A. Students 2012
Presenting at ECA Conference April 2012
Ph.D., Communication Studies 2013-2014 Deadline
Ph.D., Communication Studies
2013-2014
The deadline for application for admission for the 2013-2014
academic year is
January 16, 2013.
http://communicationstudies.wvu.edu/grad/phd
Program Coordinator Dr. Scott Myers
2012 Eberly College
Stephanie Shimotsu receiving her Outstanding Graduate Teaching
Award from Eberly College
THE DAILY NEWScommunicationstudies.wvu.edu Communication Studies in the News! - 2011-2012
THE DAILY NEWScommunicationstudies.wvu.edu Communication Studies in the News! - 2011-2012
THE DAILY NEWScommunicationstudies.wvu.edu Communication Studies in the News! - 2011-2012
communicationstudies.wvu.edu Communication Studies in the News! May 13, 2012
communicationstudies.wvu.edu Communication Studies in the News! May 13, 2012
Eberly graduates diverse group of scholars
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, UndergraduatesBY ALEX LANG
The Dominion Post
It’s truly a hodgepodge. History, English, women’s studies, biology, psychology, forensic and investigative science,religious studies, and a host of other majors all under one WVU umbrella. On Sunday, students in those programs had one thing in common. They graduated from the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. The college is the largest and most subject-diverse on WVU’s campus. “It was the best,” Lindsay Satryan said about her time at WVU. “It really was.” The communication studies major said she plans to hang around the area for another few months while her boyfriend finishes his class work. After that, they plan to move to San Francisco. Satryan said she would like to work in the film industry, though she wasn’t sure exactly what she wanted to do in the production process. Satryan said WVU wasn’t her first choice when she applied to college, but now that she’s graduated, she couldn’t imagine herself having gone to a different school.