What is Communication ? The academic discipline of communication focuses on discourse among people, organizations and social institutions. The award-winning communication faculty members share a distinctive focus on contemporary social problems. Their research and the undergraduate program centers on understanding issues of voice, identity, public participation and advocacy/leadership across communication domains including interpersonal, organizational, political, rhetorical, environmental, health and mediated communication. Students in the program develop strong communication skills grounded in an advanced, theory-based understanding of communication processes. Classroom skills are further developed through experiential learning and community engagement with team-based projects, internships and residencies, service learning and collaboration with community organizations. Success Factors Communication majors have excellent critical-thinking and writing abilities, and they are concerned with understanding society and improving social institutions and the well-being of individuals. Communication is an excellent major for students who are interested in working with people and groups in a variety of fields, e.g., business, social work and law.

Career Possibilities Graduates with a BA in communication from the UC McMicken College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) are well prepared for many different career options. In our modern world, success in business and industry requires a sophisticated understanding of communication processes. Positions in human resource management, as well as marketing and public relations, require strong communication skills. Communication students are well prepared for advanced study in such areas as law and business because of the critical thinking skills they acquire along with the more practical speaking and writing skills at the core of a communication major. Graduates find jobs as: Admissions counselors Advertising account executives Communication educators Electronic media on-air talent, producers and directors Event planners Human resource specialists Journalists Marketing managers Sales representatives