Communication Studies Major | Baldwin Wallace University

OVERVIEW

Gain the analytical, research, writing and oral presentation skills that are in-demand by today’s employers.

Baldwin Wallace's communication studies program combines broad-based communication courses with focused study in persuasive speaking, interpersonal communication, and organizational and group leadership.

Real-World Communication Research

You'll learn to apply textbook theory to real-world situations and gain advanced research skills. BW is one of a few colleges in the nation to offer an intensive two-semester research investigation in communication studies at the baccalaureate level.

Also beneficial to your studies is a required internship, where you can gain impressive work experience and important networking contacts. In your senior year, you'll create a professional portfolio that showcases your skills to prospective employers and graduate schools.

Small class sizes encourage close relationships with faculty and peers, enabling you to begin developing your professional network early in your career.

Communication Major with Four Tracks

BW's communication major offers four programs of study. You can chose communication studies, film studies, media production or public relations.

Communication Studies Builds Career Skills

A comprehensive program, communication studies teaches you effective techniques for analyzing, managing and improving communication in professional and personal interactions. With employers citing effective communication skills as a primary criterion for hiring, you’ll graduate from the program with versatile, in-demand career competencies.

Career Opportunities in Communication Studies

The flexibility of BW's communication studies program prepares you for a career in roles related to conflict management as well as in the creative and innovative sectors of organizations. Career fields in government, corporate and nonprofit work include:

management
marketing
human resources
sales
recruiting
fundraising and event planning
communication specialist
corporate communication and training
organizational culture specialist
data analyst

CURRICULUM

Communication studies is a program of study within the communication major. The flexibility of the communication major enables you to take core courses in communication research, media literacy, media production and writing for multimedia while concentrating in one of four programs of study — public relations, communication studies, film studies or media production.

Communication studies is an excellent companion field of study. It is often chosen as a second major or minor.

What You'll Learn

The communication studies program prepares you to do the following:

Understand and become proficient in using communication in its various forms — interpersonal, group, organizational, intercultural, nonverbal and persuasion.
Develop competencies in public and presentational speaking, written communication and multi-media production.
Learn effective techniques for conducting, analyzing and reporting research.

See a full list of required courses and electives >

Communication Minors

You can complement your communication major with a minor in our newest programs:

Social media production — an interdisciplinary program that incorporates writing, visual communication and marketing as tools to create strategic social media plans and tactics.
Convergent journalism — a program that builds skills in interviewing, writing, social media, design and is closely integrated with BW’s award-winning student newspaper as a learning laboratory.
Other options for a communication-related minor include: film studies, media production and public relations.

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

Faculty mentoring is inherent to the program. BW professors and advisers in the communication studies program are communication professionals with decades of real-world experience. They'll work closely with you to help you establish key networking contacts in the field and gain the experiences needed to land a first job.

Student Clubs and Organizations

The Exponent

The Exponent, BW's award-winning, student-run newspaper, where you can hone writing, reporting, editing, social media and design skills.

Lambda Pi Eta

This communication studies honor society serves as a point of distinction for high-achieving students as well as a sponsor for a service-learning initiative through BW's Habitat for Humanity.

Wordsmiths

A group of creative writers who are dedicated to strengthening their craft through discussion and critique, mutual respect and support for each other in their growth as writers.

ALUMNI SUCCESS

At Baldwin Wallace, you’ll experience personal and professional growth in a supportive community that challenges and inspires you to succeed.

Recent BW Communication Studies majors are finding their success at:

Julie Chambers '14, community event coordinator, Life Line Screening

Lucia Galassi '14, sourcer, Alexander Mann Solutions

Brian Bethenfalvy '13, client services, Transworld Systems

Keith Blazek '13, new business development specialist, Equity Trust Co.

Tiera Cummings '13, patient service representative, Human Arc

Andrea Horning '13, alumni & special event coordinator, Lorain County Community College

Alexandra Lofquist '13, sales account executive, XPO Global Logistics

Molly Matusek '13, quality assurance project coordinator, AmTrust North America

William Pantages '13, associate athletic director for athletic communications, Wake Forest University

Dalton Rimbert '13, real estate agent, Key Realty

Shannon Swope '13, recruiter, Tradesmen International, Inc.

Kate Boothby '12, marketing manager, ABC Packaging

Jenna Brodkowski '12, special events, Walt Disney World

Laura Cappetto '12, grants coordinator, Sister of Charity Health System

Arianna Harsar '12, coordinator II, The Cleveland Clinic

Kathryn Hodgson '12, project manager, Hyland Software

Richard Jaskolski '12, district sales executive, Expeditors

Bethany Meadows '12, business development, Dakota Software

Scott Rosenau '12, sales support specialist, Hyland Software

Deborah Cappretta '11, compliance analyst, Wolters Kluwer

Nicole Carlone '11, social media community manager, Kent State University

Julee Kanya '11, service manager, Century Link (formerly Quest Communication)

Robert Misener '11, finance and procurement coordinator, Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity

Victoria Shaw '11, marketing and program associate, Leadership Lorain County

Frances Spellman '11, graduate student, West Virginia University

Julianne Wayton '11, global human resources generalist, Hyland Software

Communication: Communication Studies

Communication Arts & Sciences

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