Communication Studies
Program Overview
College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Communication Studies
The communication Studies program at St. Thomas examines how communication shapes relationships, organizations, media, and culture. Students develop skills in public speaking, storytelling, writing, and critical analysis while working closely with faculty who are both accomplished scholars and dedicated teachers. Mentoring and collaboration are central to the department's mission.
Graduates are prepared for careers in public relations, marketing, nonprofit leadership, human resources, media, and event planning, as well as for graduate study in communication, law, and related fields. The program emphasizes applied learning through internships, community-engaged projects, and coursework that connects theory with practice. Specialized classes in storytelling, improvisation, media, and sport communication give students unique opportunities to refine their skills and interests, At St. Thomas, Communication Studies helps students develop into confident communicators, creative problem-solvers, and effective leaders prepared to succeed in any field.
Major in Communication Studies
This is a distinct major from Strategic Communication.
All majors are required to take five courses for a total of 20 credits:
- COMM 100: Public Speaking (4 credits)
- COMM 220: Interpersonal Communication (4 credits)
- COMM 328: Communication of Race, Class Gender (4 credits)
- COMM 366: Persuasion and Social Influence(4 credits)
- COMM 480: Capstone: Communication Ethics (4 credits)
Additionally, majors must take 16 credits from the following course electives:
- COMM 105: Workplace Communication (4 credits)
- COMM 212: Communication Criticism (4 credits)
- COMM 242: Health Communication (4 credits)
- COMM 244: Sport Communication 2-credit (2 credits)
- COMM 246: Building Communication Skills Though Improvisation (2-credit)
- COMM 248: Building Communication Skills Through Improvisation II (2 credits)
- COMM 252: High-Impact Storytelling at Work (2 credits)
- COMM 264: Media Communication Skills (4 credits)
- COMM 274: Small Group Communication (4 credits)
- COMM 320: Organizational Communication (4 credits)
- COMM 324: Communication and Leadership (4 credits)
- COMM 326: Communication and Popular Culture (4 credits)
- COMM 332: Documentary in American Culture
- COMM 338: Political Communication (4 credits)
- COMM 370: Intercultural Communication (4 credits)
- COMM 372: Communication and the Environment (4 credits)
- COMM 373 Approaches to Crisis Communication (4 credits)
- COMM 374: Family and Couple Communication (4 credits)
- COMM 378 Communication and Underrepresented Families (4 credits)
- Internships/Study Abroad/Experiential Learning
- ENGL 256: Intro to Professional Writing (4 credits)
or ENGL 318: Business Writing (4 credits) - DIMA 240: Digital Imagery and Sound(4 credits)
Minor in Communication Studies
- COMM 100: Public Speaking 4 credits
Plus:
- 12 additional credits in COMM
Majors must complete a minimum of eighteen credits in Communication Studies at St. Thomas.