Communication Studies - BA, BS

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

About This Degree

The Communication Studies program at USU is designed to help students develop a broad range of communication skills and an understanding of how communication affects individuals, organizations, and societies.

What You Will Learn

This major is designed to :

  • Increase your communicative competence in both public and private settings.
  • Help you understand, explain, and transform communication messages in a variety of settings.
  • Improve your ability to carefully explore and think through communication related challenges and come up with effective solutions.

The Communication Studies major at Utah State offers several emphasis areas so students can tailor their coursework to specific personal and career goal. These areas include:

  • Advocacy and Social Justice
  • Conflict Management
  • Health and Community Outreach
  • Human Relationships
  • Intercultural Communication
  • Leadership
  • Organizational Communication
  • Persuasion and Social Influence
  • Political Communication
  • Research Analysis

To join the Communication Studies major, students must meet minimum entry requirements found in the Catalog and submit an application to the Department of Communication Studies and Philosophy.

To apply for the major or declare a minor in Organizational Communication or Communication Studies, students need to contact the department academic advisor.

Students receive a BS by completing all required courses in the major. To receive a BA, students must also gain proficiency in one or more foreign languages.

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ADVISING

At a Glance

College: College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department: Communication Studies and Philosophy Department

USU Locations:

  • Logan campus

Program Requirements

Career And Outcomes

Career Opportunities

Since communication is a skill highly valued by employers, and communication is critical to many areas, Communication Studies majors can find careers in many areas. Graduates from the program are also well-prepared for graduate school or law school. Some of the careers Communication Studies majors commonly pursue include:

  • Communication consultant
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Employee relations
  • Crisis management
  • Event planner
  • Speech writer
  • Human resources specialist
  • Hospitality manager
  • Mediation (facilitates conversation that helps different organizations or companies agree)
  • Negotiation (helps companies negotiate prices for services)

The Career and Design Center provides counseling and information on hundreds of job and internship opportunities and even helps students apply and interview.

Job Outlook

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION AND ADVISING

Advising

We will build on your goals and experiences while working together to design an individualized semester-by-semester plan. Your personalized plan will help you see a path from where you are now on to graduation. Even if you are unsure of the major you would like to pursue, we can help with resources and ideas.

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USU Locations

LOGAN CAMPUS

Admission

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

Beyond Utah State University's admission requirements, the Communication Studies program has additional requirements. Freshmen and Transfer students can be admitted into a "ppru" major called the Pre-Communication Studies major. The pre-requisites are as follows:

  • Freshmen: New freshmen can be admitted into the Pre-Communication Studies major if they have a 2.5 GPA or higher. To be admitted into the full major, see the Admission requirements below.
  • Transfer Students: Transfer students from other institutions and students transferring from other USU majors must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher to be admitted into the full major, Communication Studies, see the Admission requirements below.

Students are encouraged to apply for the full major as early as possible in their academic career. Application for admission into the full major, Communication Studies, includes the following:

  • Completed admission application form. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
  • Admission decisions will be based on:
    • Academic record.
    • Realistic career or professional study objective.
    • Ability of this program to prepare the student for his/her intended career.
    • Satisfactory speaking and writing competencies.
    • Motivation and creativity demonstrated by class performance, work experience, volunteer activities and other means offered by the student during the application process.

Students can apply if they have taken or are currently taking a CMST (Communications Studies) course.

Students not admitted with their first application may apply a second time.

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Cost and Aid

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How to Apply

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