The Communication Studies program at the College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences offers a 120-credit Bachelor of Arts degree with flexibility for students to develop skills in strategic communication, managerial and leadership communication, or communication and public advocacy. Students take core courses in communication theory and choose an area of application, developing skills like critical thinking, writing, speaking, and working with others. The degree prepares students for careers such as event manager, recruiter, political campaign director, or corporate communication director. Students have opportunities to gain experience through the applied communicators club, honor society, and helping with annual community events.

1. Bachelor of Arts Communication Studies
College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences 120 credits
Degree Program Description
The Communication Studies program is highly flexible, allowing students to select from a broad
range of courses to develop a plan of study to prepare them for careers in all aspects of
communication. The Communication Studies degree program prepares students for the ever-
changing workplace of the future. In the Communication Studies program, we develop your
skills so you can more effectively speak, write, create, persuade, lead, think critically and work
with others—life-long skills identified by the National Association of Colleges and Employers
(NACE) as the most important qualities employers seek in new hires. Students take a core set of
courses that set the theoretical foundations for the field and then students choose an informal
area of application in the following:
• Strategic Communication – Majors focused in this Application Area learn to design and
execute communication messages and campaigns to inform and persuade specific
audiences. Students will hone their writing, speaking and critical thinking skills as they
explore communication contexts, theories, and processes as a means of understanding
and critically analyzing social influence.
• Managerial & Leadership Communication – Majors in this Application Area focus on
the communicative practices that occur in organizational settings. Students gain the
theoretical and practical understanding necessary to manage and lead for-profit and non-
profit organizations by managing teams, planning projects and events, leading change,
solving problems, and developing communication competencies.
• Communication & Public Advocacy –Majors in this Application Area develop a
diverse set of skills by studying the theory, philosophy and practical applications of
rhetoric and persuasion in areas including social activism, government, law, religion and
professional writing. Students explore social movements, cultural studies, political
campaigns, human rights, and public argumentation as a means of analyzing public
discourse and advocating on behalf of individuals, organizations and causes.
Job Opportunities:
• Event Manager
• Nonprofit Administrator
• Recruiter
• Diversity Officer
• Political Campaign Director
• Development Officer/Fundraiser
• Health Promotion Specialist
• Corporate Communication Director
• Conflict Mediation Specialist/Crisis Manager
Department Resources and Facilities:
Our students enjoy opportunities to:

2. • Use the Computer Mediated Communication Lab in Compton Hall 210 for creating
presentations and producing visual materials using the Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe
Creative Cloud applications and arriving at effective decisions using Expert Choice.
• Join the Applied Communicators of Edinboro (ACE) student club affiliated through the
Communication Studies Department and the National Communication Association.
• Join the Department’s chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the official honor society of the
National Communication Association, the largest professional organization for
communication scholars and educators.
• Volunteer and help coordinate the annual Edinboro Highland Games and Scottish
Festival. Held each year in September, the event draws thousands of visitors to
experience the rich traditions of Scotland, including world-class musicians, fine gift
vendors, fiddle and harp competitions, highland dance and athletic competitions, pipe
band and solo competitions, clan gatherings, kids’ crafts and games, and traditional
Scottish food. In addition, students regularly plan events for Make-A-Wish and Boro
Women’s Services, among other nonprofit organizations.
Bachelor degree – Communication Studies
The following eight-semester schedule of courses provides a recommended framework for
completing this program of study in four years. A minimum of 15 credit hours per semester
is suggested in the following course plan. If students have any questions regarding their
program of study should consult their academic adviser.
Related minors
• Communication Studies
• English
• Journalism