Overview 

The Communication Studies major is a department within the College of Arts and Letters and a unit of the Schools of Communication, Information and Media. Students may choose from seven programs/concentrations.  

Concentrations

Advocacy Studies
Cultural Communication
Generalist
Health Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Organizational Communication
Public Relations

Admission and Progression Standards

Visit the Major Snapshots site to learn more about the admission and progression standards of this major.

Description of Major

Communication Studies is offered as a major and minor at JMU. The School of Communication Studies seeks to provide students with the opportunity to study the messages and outcomes resulting from human interactive processes. These processes involve both content and relationship dimensions of communication sources, receivers, channels and contexts. Students study the process of social influence which is found in all forms of interaction. Within a liberal arts framework, students in Communication Studies study the ways people influence and relate to one another in speech, writing, and visual symbols. The study of communication includes the social scientific study of human communication behavior in diverse contexts and the critical study of rhetoric.   

More About the Field 

The discipline of communication studies encompasses almost all forms of interaction between and among individuals. Levels include interpersonal, small group, public and mass communication. Communication processes occur in a multitude of contexts and environments, and help individuals, organizations, and societies use to communicate. A professional communicator crafts, produces, and delivers messages to specific audiences for a defined purpose, however, in this age of information filled with technological advancements, one must preserve the human element of communication and understand its influences on the meanings we shape in communication with others.  

Specialization

All students must declare a concentration and the school offers seven.  

The primary concerns within the school include human communicative interactions within interpersonal settings such as dyads and small groups, public speaking, communication within organizations, between organizations and the public, as well as campaign communication processes. Within these contexts, students study the interaction of culture and communication, language, nonverbal communication, written and oral communication skills and social influence among human beings in a variety of settings. The school offers seven different topical concentrations: Advocacy Studies, Generalist, Cultural Communication, Health Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Organizational Communication, and Public Relations.  

In Advocacy Studies, students learn how skilled advocates adopt, develop and implement diverse sets of communication strategies that help clients articulate interests and goals related to social change.  

In Cultural Communication, students build competencies that enable them to communicate effectively in diverse communities and workplaces, successfully foster relationships in new cultural contexts, and identify and enact practices that promote social justice and inclusivity. 

In Health Communication students study and positively shape communication in a variety of contexts within the health care environment and how to educate diverse provider and patient audiences on communication practices. 

Interpersonal Communication students learn important principles for managing impressions and building rapport, identifying communication needs and pursuing influence goals, reducing relational uncertainty and adapting to change throughout the lifespan. 

The Organizational Communication students study how communication impacts all organizations that include big business, not for profit, government and religious organizations, as well as how to improve the process of organizing people, information, and ideas to achieve collective goals. 

In Public Relations one learns how to use words, signs and symbols that inform and influence people and shape public opinion. They study the management of communication between an organization and its internal and external publics with the goal of mutual understanding and influence.  

The School of Communication Studies also offers minors in Communication Studies, , Cultural Communication, and Health Communication. They also house the interdisciplinary Sport Communication minor. 

Complementary Majors and Minors 

There are no common combinations but some examples might be Anthropology, Art, Creative Writing, Criminal Justice, English, Environmental Management, Film Studies, Human Resource Development, Integrated Science and Technology, Marketing, Media Arts and Design, Modern Foreign Languages, Music Industry, Nonprofit Studies, Political Communication, Political Science, Pre Law, Public Policy and Administration, Psychology, Sociology, Sport Communication, Women and Gender Studies, Urban & Regional Studies, or Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication. 

Characteristics of Successful Students

Openness to others and a sense of professional drive are appropriate to a very competitive field. A desire to improve communication interaction in a variety of settings and a commitment to shaping communication that shapes a just and equitable world. Good grades, strong writing skills, and related experiences are essential.

Careers

Many graduates choose typical career paths associated with this major. However, some graduates choose unrelated careers that utilize skills and experiences developed during their years in college. Keep in mind, that some fields will require graduate study or further training. The listing below offers examples of possible career paths and is not meant to be comprehensive. 

• Advertising Account Executive 
• Advertising Copywriter 
• Americorp Volunteer 
• Business Travel Coordinator 
• Buyer/Merchandise Manager 
• Campaign Coordinator 
• College Admissions Counselor 
• Communication Consultant 
• Community Health Educator
• Community Relations Director 
• Community Service Case Manager 
• Congressional Aide 
• Consumer Affairs Specialist 
• Corporate Recruiter 
• Corporate Relations Coordinator 
• Employment Agency Counselor 
• Events Planner 
• Financial Aid Counselor 
• Fundraiser/ Development Officer 
• Grant Writer 
• Graphic Artist/ Designer 
• Group Care Worker 
• Health Advocate 
• Health Education Coordinator 
• Hotline Operator 
• Human Resources Personnel 
• Instructional Systems Designer 
• Interactive Media Specialist 
• Journalist 
• Lobbyist 
• Marketing Executive 
• Media Relations Specialist 
• Mediator/ Negotiator 
• Meeting/ Convention Planner 
• Online Community Manager 
• Pharmaceutical Representative 
• Political Aide 
• Political Campaign Organizer 
• Press Agent 
• Press Secretary (Government) 
• Promotions Manager 
• Public Affairs Director 
• Public Information Officer 
• Public Opinion Interviewer 
• Public Relations Specialist 
• Recruitment Coordinator 
• Research Interviewer 
• Social Media Specialist 
• Social Media Strategist 
• Special Events Coordinator 
• Speech Writer 
• Stadium Manager 
• Technical Writer 
• Training Specialist 
• Travel Agent 
• Underwriter 
• Victim Services Specialist 
• Volunteer Liaison 
• Web Manager 
• Wedding Planner 
•  

Who Employs Graduates?

Advertising Agencies, Colleges/Universities, Community Mediation Centers, Community Service and Health Agencies, Corporations, Court Connected Programs, Federal/State/Local Government Agencies, Healthcare Facilities, Hospitals, Lobbying Organizations, Non-Profit Agencies, Pharmaceutical companies, Political Organizations, Private Dispute Resolution Companies, Professional Associations, Public or Private Schools, Public Relations Firms, or Resorts. 

Internships and Experiential Opportunities 

Many opportunities are available as a result of our well-organized program. Getting involved in internships, practicum and directed projects can help students to "learn by doing". Though an internship is not required to complete the major, students are encouraged to seek out those opportunities through their own efforts or by contacting the internship coordinator.  Students are also encouraged to consider directed projects, which may include opportunities for undergraduate research. . In addition, the Debate Team and the Individual Events team are examples of programs through which students could gain practical experiences related to their field of study. Students should consult with the faculty coordinator of the area in which they are interested for more information.  

View our list of  internship coordinators for each major. 

Career Profiles 

Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers 
Judges and Hearing Officers  
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers  
Public Relations Specialists  
Arbitrators, Mediators, Conciliators Careers  
Social and Community Services Managers  
A Day in the Life of a Lobbyist  
A Day in the Life of a Media Planner