Students in front of health communications poster; 'Take a Shot of Truth' information relating to course studies

Communication Studies

  1. Academics
  2. All Programs
  3. Communication Studies

Giving you the communication skills to get the job, advance your career, and achieve your personal and professional goals.

Degrees & Offerings
  • B.A.
Location
  • Bloomsburg
  • Lock Haven
Department
College
Program Contact
Chair of the Department of Communication Studies, Media and Journalism
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Whether it be for a small business or a corporate conglomerate, a small school district or a university student affairs office, a local law firm or your local government, employers everywhere want people who can communicate well. They want problem-solvers and critical thinkers. They want team players and collaborators. They want those who aren’t afraid to work hard and learn on the fly. These skills are at the heart of every communication studies graduate.

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Your journey upward awaits!  

  • In the Commonwealth University Communication Studies programs, you will build your communication, critical thinking, and research skills. Students also have the opportunity to practice and apply developed skills through coursework emphasizing project-based learning, research, and service learning.
  • The Communications studies program offers concentrations in Interpersonal Communication (Bloomsburg), Leadership & Public Advocacy (Bloomsburg), and Organizational Communication (Bloomsburg and Lock Haven).
  • Customize your education and create additional career options through a selection of minors and double majors like Health Communication, Emergent Media, Professional Communication, Marketing, Media and Journalism, Professional Sales, Graphic Design, and Pre-Law.
  • Continue your climb in one of our graduate programs like the Accelerated MBA, M.S. Instructional Design and Technology, M.S. Information Technology, and M.S. Sport Management. Our graduate programs can enhance your existing skills and knowledge as an Communication Studies major, increase your earning power, and prepare you for a leadership role in your field.

Course Delivery Format

  Bloomsburg

  Face-to-Face
  Online
  Hybrid

  Lock Haven

  Face-to-Face
  Online
  Hybrid

  Mansfield

  Face-to-Face
  Online
  Hybrid

  Clearfield

  Face-to-Face
  Online
  Hybrid

Courses and Curriculum

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

Upon graduation, Communication Studies students in all three concentration areas will be able to:

  1. Present effective and appropriate messages in multiple communication modalities and contexts.
  2. Integrate theory, research, and practice in a variety of communication contexts.
  3. Exhibit social responsibility and professionalism in their communicative interactions with others.
  4. Implement leadership knowledge and skills in a variety of contexts.  
  5. Display the communication skills necessary to engage in competent human relational interaction in multiple contexts.

 

Students who complete the Communication Studies minor will meet all of the following program learning outcomes:

  1. Students will present effective and appropriate messages in multiple communication modalities and contexts.  
  2. Students will integrate theory, research, and practice in a variety of communication contexts.  
  3. Students will exhibit social responsibility and professionalism in their communicative interactions with others.  
  4. Students will implement leadership knowledge and skills in a variety of contexts.
  5. Students will display the communication skills necessary to engage in competent human relational interaction in multiple contexts.
Commonwealth University Communication Studies

Specialized Learning

Education and opportunities catered to your passions and goals.

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Available at the Bloomsburg and Lock Haven campuses.

The Organizational Communication area of study focuses on the importance of communication in business and professional settings. Students studying Organizational Communication develop competencies that allow them to understand communication in professional organizations, develop professional communication skills, and to train others to communicate effectively in professional settings. Study in this area prepares students for careers in personnel recruitment and management, sales, corporate communication, development, fundraising, and employee orientation and training. Courses in the Organizational Communication area of study courses include:

  • Organizational Communication  
  • Computer Applications for Professional Communicators
  • Business and Professional Communication
  • Interviewing
  • Leadership and Team Building  
  • Event Planning 

Available at the Bloomsburg campus.

The Interpersonal Communication area of study focuses on the importance of communication in human relationships. Students develop competencies to explore human interactions, assess barriers to communication in relationships, and acquire communication skills necessary for successful personal and professional development. Study in this area prepares students for careers in social and human services such as counseling, public administration, health service management, and the ministry. Courses in the Interpersonal Communication area of study include:

  • Gender Communication
  • Conflict Management and Resolution
  • Health Communication
  • Family Communication
  • Relational Communication
  • Nonverbal Communication 

Available at the Bloomsburg campus.

The Leadership and Public Advocacy area of study focuses on the importance of communication in a democratic society. Students develop competencies that allow them to understand the public deliberative process, to assess and create messages, and to enhance their leadership skills. Study in this area prepares students for careers in law, government, media, international relations, speech writing, lobbying, campaign direction, public information, or elected office. Courses in the Leadership and Public Advocacy area of study include:

  • Persuasion
  • Argumentation and Analysis
  • Rhetoric of Social Movements
  • New Media and Visual Culture
  • Crisis Communication
  • Political Campaign Communication 

  • Brinley Crahall, Jr. Endowed Scholarship  
  • James Bryden Scholarship  
  • John A. Marzano '74 & Jamie M. Marzano Scholarship  
  • Marvin L. Meneeley, Sr. '49 Scholarship presented by Kelly and Marvin Meneeley (LCA)  
  • William Acierno Scholarship for Telecommunications
  • Lisa Riede Excellence in Communication Award (CU-Lock Haven) 
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Hands-on Experiences

Internships

As a communication studies major, you'll complete a capstone course and an internship as you prepare to transition to life after college. The capstone course focuses on career readiness and application of your communication skills. An internship enables you to gain professional experience while applying the theories and skills you've learned in class. You'll have both an on-site and a faculty supervisor to oversee and guide your internship experience.

  • Internship Policy
  • Internship Application Checklist
  • Internship Database

Industry experience gives you a leg-up on future competition and prepares you for life in the real world. Recent students have interned with:

  • American Cancer Society
  • BET Network
  • Geisinger Health System
  • Hershey Park Entertainment
  • Make-A-Wish
  • Nordstrom
  • PA House of Representatives
  • Philadelphia Union
  • Philadelphia Zoo
  • The Pittsburgh Pirates
  • The Philadelphia Sixers
  • The American Red Cross
  • Walt Disney World  
  • XM Satellite Radio

High Impact Experiences

Below are some of the many places our recent graduates have found success:

  • Digital Graphics Producer—WPVI Philadelphia
  • Vice President, Customer and Market Strategy – Highmark Incorporated
  • Educator - SeaWorld
  • Talent Acquisition Partner – QVC
  • National Account Manager - Indeed.com
  • Senior Editorial Director—I-5 Publishing
  • Director of Federal Government Affairs—KPMG LLP
  • Senior Producer—Center City Film & Video
  • Leadership Research Analyst - Pennsylvania House of Representatives  
  • Chief Operating Officer - SportsBubble 

Clubs and Organizations

CU-Bloomsburg:

  • National Communication Association Student Chapter (NCASC)
  • Lambda Pi Eta
  • Frederick Douglass Debate Society 

CU-Lock Haven:

  • Lambda Pi Eta (Rho Delta Chapter)
     

The Commonwealth Difference

4%
46,200 new jobs
Rate of media and communication jobs that are projected to grow in the next 10 years, through 2029
College of Distinction
Colleges of Distinction
National recognition as a College of Distinction, honored for its quality and high-impact practices leading to a personalized education catered to students’ interests.

Careers

Career options include event planning, speech writing, employee training, sales, management, public information, personnel recruiting, campaign direction, lobbying, and negotiations. It's also good preparation for graduate school in several different disciplines, including communication, law, education, business, public administration, student affairs, instructional technology, and counseling.

Potential Job Opportunities

  • Training and Development Specialist
  • Marketing Manager
  • Media Relations Specialist
  • Special Events Planner and Coordinator
  • Brand Strategist
  • Social Media Manager
  • Public Affairs Specialist
  • Web Developer
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Journalist
  • Sales Manager
  • Content Marketing Manager

Continue to Explore

Communication Studies student

Competent and effective communication skills, both written and oral, are essential for professionals to practice in various industries. This program has prepared me for my professional career and served as a thorough foundation as I pursued my master’s degree in Communication. I use all aspects of my undergraduate degree in my professional career through skills like problem-solving, interviewing, small group communication, interpersonal communication, public relations, theory, public speaking, writing, and more. This program helped develop my confidence in presenting and communicating my thoughts and ideas in front of leadership teams for organizations and businesses of all sizes and industries.

Kayla Schneider
Communication Studies
Student jumping in air in graduation robe.

I love helping people, which is why I was led to declare my second major, communication studies with a focus on leadership and public advocacy. Something I've discovered at Bloomsburg would definitely be all of the clubs and organizations. There are so many, and the ones I had the pleasure of being a part of truly have made me feel at home over these past four years.

Justin Strauss '21
Communication Studies and Criminal Justice
Communication Studies student

I would not have had the skills and confidence to sit in front of the panel of administrators for my interview for this teaching job…I have professional communication with principals and coworkers daily. I do not believe I would have the confidence to do this if it weren’t for my Communication degree. I am appreciative of all that I’ve learned in your classes to get me to where I am today.

Courtney Quiggle
Communication Studies
Student in graduation robe.

I’m a completely different person since my first day as a freshman. I was very unsure of everything, everyone, and even myself. Since then, I’ve been able to progress in my academic career and personal growth.

Nora Yakscoe '19
Communication Studies
Communication Studies student

I remember when I first started at Lock Haven, I had difficulty getting through a sentence without stuttering or drawing a blank, but with instruction and guidance from the communication department, I am now able to deliver messages clearly and confidently. Oral communication skills are vital while working in the law enforcement field. My life and the lives of others depend on my ability to perform my duties accurately and confidently.

Dylan Kranzel
Communication Studies
Student jumping in air in graduation robe.
Communication Studies student
Student in graduation robe.
Communication Studies student
Communication Studies student

Program Contacts

Angela

Angela La Valley

  • Chair of the Department of Communication Studies, Media and Journalism
  • Bloomsburg
Kara Schultz

Kara Shultz

  • Professor, Communication Studies
  • Bloomsburg

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