- Communication (B.A.)
In our society, it's hard not to communicate. We raise our eyebrows to show surprise and wave to say 'hello'. We ask questions before class, discuss the newest movie with friends after school and persuade our parents to extend tonight's curfew. We post daily blogs and chat online, read newspapers and magazines, watch TV and listen to the radio.
Communication is the study of how messages are used to generate meanings within and across various contexts, cultures, channels and media. As a communication major, you can focus your studies in one of six concentrations:
The communication management concentration teaches you to manage people, information, messages and technology in organizations. You will be prepared for a wide range of careers in consulting, corporate sales, corporate training, customer relations, employee relations and human resources.
In the electronic media concentration, you will learn about traditional and newer media, emerging technologies, and the social, economic and international dimensions of media. Careers include director, disk jockey, media buyer, media consultant, news or sports reporter, and talk show host.
Through the journalism concentration, you will discover how news is selected, gathered, prepared and disseminated, as well as learn legal and ethical expectations of journalists. You will be prepared for careers as a columnist, copy editor, news editor and reporter.
The public relations concentration prepares you to research, plan, implement and evaluate communication between an organization and its publics, monitor an organization's environment, and recommend programs and policies. Possible careers include crisis management, event planner, media representative and public relations specialist.
Our theatre concentration allows you to pursue creative endeavors and prepares you for a professional career as an actor, director, playwright, stage technician, technical director and theatre critic.
The communication studies concentration gives you the flexibility to develop an individualized program of study in communication.
You may also extend your studies to earn a master's degree in communication through our five-year B.A./M.A. program.
A variety of communication-related organizations are available on campus, including the Daytonian (yearbook), Flyer News (twice-weekly student newspaper), Flyer Radio, Flyer TV, International Association of Business Communicators, Orpheus (literary and artistic magazine), Phi Beta Chi (communication honor fraternity), Public Relations Student Society of America, and Studio Theatre.
Internships provide you with academic credit, as well as the opportunity to create a professional portfolio. Internships are available in corporate, marketing, nonprofit organizations, public relations, radio, and television.
Career Opportunities
Communication majors are prepared for careers in broadcasting, communication management, journalism, public relations, and theatre, as well as graduate studies in business, communication and law. There is a great need for effective communicators within all fields, so you will be able to find a career well-suited to your interests.