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
Illustration of Mountain

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.  

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)
  • Organizational Communication (Bloomsburg and Lock Haven)

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.

Join the expanding network of communication professionals that started their journey at CU! 

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

Other Programs You May Be Interested In

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.

Illustration of Mountain

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 

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 

  • 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) 
  • From honorariums to full-tuition waivers, scholarships exist to reward your hard work and dedication to the major. Find more information on scholarships here.  
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Internships

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:

  • The Discovery Channel
  • BET Network
  • XM Satellite Radio
  • The Pittsburgh Pirates
  • The Philadelphia Sixers
  • The American Red Cross
  • Sherman Advertising Associates
  • American Cancer Society
  • City of Philadelphia City Council
  • Geisinger Health System
  • Hershey Park Entertainment
  • Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
  • Make-A-Wish
  • NBC Universal
  • Nordstrom
  • Ocean City Public Relations
  • PA House of Representatives
  • Philadelphia Union
  • Philadelphia Zoo
  • Walt Disney World  
  • WVIA/PBS 

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 

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
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
Kynslee Shepherd outside, smiling at camera.

When I was a freshman, I had not a clue in the world what I wanted to pursue professionally, and I bounced between a few different majors until finally declaring communication studies. The foundation and guidance that classes and faculty have given me are abundantly appreciated. I see the skills and knowledge I've developed being a crucial part leading into this next step of my education.

Kynslee Shepherd '21
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
Kynslee Shepherd outside, smiling at camera.
Student in graduation robe.
Student jumping in air in graduation robe.

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

Applying to This Program

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