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Home , Communication studies

Studies

COLLEGE OF ARTS, SOCIAL , AND

Undergraduate Programs Department Overview

Majors: A degree in communication studies provides excellent knowledge • Communication Studies foundation and general skills for many types of jobs in both the private and with emphases available in: public sectors of the . The Communication Studies Department • Interpersonal Communication provides nearly fifty courses in four curriculum areas: interpersonal • Studies communication, , organizational and professional • Organizational and Professional Communication communication, and public communication and advocacy. Each student • Public Communication and Advocacy who elects the 39 credit major in communication studies must select one of these areas as an emphasis in the program. Each of these curriculum Minors: areas is also available as a 24 credit minor. A minor in communication • Interpersonal Communication studies is valuable with any major. • Media Studies Communication studies faculty members help build skills not only in • Organizational and Professional Communication the student’s area of program emphasis, but across the communication • Public Communication and Advocacy studies field. Because of the department’s focus on academic training • Digital Media Studies and Design and professional skill building, communication studies graduates develop • Leadership Development outstanding abilities in , speaking, organization, and .

Sample Courses

• Introduction to Communication Studies • Communication and Civic Engagement • of Communication • Methods in Communication Studies • Presentational Speaking • Computer Mediated Communication • Professional Communication • Interpersonal Communication • Debate • Intercultural Communication • Gender Communication • • Organizational Communication • Interviewing: Principles and Processes

Communication Studies Department 4206 Centennial Hall 608.785.8519 www.uwlax.edu/commstudies

View degree requirements: www.uwlax.edu/catalog Communication Studies

COLLEGE OF ARTS, SOCIAL SCIENCES, AND HUMANITIES

Department Features Program Features

The focus of the communication studies program is to thoroughly prepare INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION students academically and professionally. This focus is evident inside and Students who select the major in communication studies with outside the classroom. Students are involved in activities outside class that an emphasis in interpersonal communication or the minor in give them a chance to use what they learn in class. The Communication interpersonal communication will receive intensive training in one- Club and Lambda Pi Eta, allow students to become more involved on-one and small group communication. Courses in this emphasis with the department, the campus, and the community. Students in the focus on such topics as communication in relationships, intercultural Communication Club gain professional and social skills by providing peer communication, gender communication, and family communication. advising, workshops, and technical training. Students are also able to MEDIA STUDIES earn academic course credit for communication intensive extracurricular Students who select the major in communication studies with an activities through participation in communication studies activities courses emphasis in media studies will learn about the ‘hands on’ work and independent studies. that takes place in a station, studio, or in a web The Communication Studies Department encourages students to include development lab. Students have access to state-of-the-art computer an internship as part of their academic experience. As students near the and broadcast equipment, including student operated cable-TV end of their academic career, many pursue practical applications of their station, WMCM-TV. Equally important, students also learn about coursework through internships in government, public or , what’s needed behind the scenes. public relations, advertising, , promotions or other related ORGANIZATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION organizations. The Communication Studies Department typically has one of Students who select the major in communication studies with the highest rates of internship placement at UWL. an emphasis in organizational and professional communication Inside the classroom, writing may be the single most important skill a or the minor in organizational and professional communication student can learn. To ensure that communication studies majors are well will receive intensive training in the types of communication prepared as writers, the department is a writing-in-the-major program. that are essential in , industry, and organizations of all This means the department has developed a comprehensive program kinds. Courses in this emphasis relate to the fundamentals of that challenges students to develop their ability to write with increasing effective professional communication and focus on such topics as sophistication as they move through the major. Writing is incorporated into interviewing, leadership, communication in the professions, all communication coursework. and organizational communication.

Every communication studies major completes a senior project in CST PUBLIC COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCACY 499, the capstone course. Working closely with faculty, each student The major in communication studies with an emphasis in public completes a semester-long investigation of a communication-related topic. communication and advocacy focuses on the use of communication The senior project provides an opportunity to gain the educational benefits as a tool to accomplish specific goals in the public sector. Many of of undergraduate research. The experience deepens the relationship the students who choose this emphasis are interested in careers between faculty mentors and students. It provides firsthand experience in , government, or politics – because they want to be opinion with analytical thinking, the development of research questions, and the leaders who make the world a better place for all of us. This use of research tools-all valuable in the “real world.” emphasis area will involve students in multiple opportunities to build their writing and -making abilities. Students will also learn about public issues and the debate/discussion of those issues in the public sector. Communication Studies

COLLEGE OF ARTS, SOCIAL SCIENCES, AND HUMANITIES

Career Opportunities Occupational Outlook

ENTRY LEVEL In addition to preparing students for communication-related careers, • Promotional Specialist • Public Officer and a degree in Communication Studies is an excellent foundation for • Customer Service Press Secretary employment in either the public or private sector of the economy, in Representative • Public Relations any type of business, industry or organization. Communication skills are • Management or Administration • Salesperson essential for success in any job that requires working with other people, Trainee • Event Coordinator giving directions and instructions, making presentations, designing • Media Production • Corporate Trainer , persuading co-workers and the public, promoting ideas and • Media Sales • Residence Hall Director products, and helping others resolve problems. Career opportunities • Personnel/Human Resources for students graduating with a degree in Communication Studies are interesting and varied. The minor programs offered by the Department of LONG TERM CAREER DEVELOPMENT Communication Studies are valuable additions to other major programs • Communication Consultant • Non-profit Organization offered by UWL. Effective communication skills are a major concern of • Government Lobbyist Director almost every employer. • Human Resources/Personnel • Public Affairs Director Manager • Vice President—Public JOB TITLES OF GRADUATES • Communication Relations • Account Executive • Public Relations Events Manager • Dean of Student Life • Assistant Buyer Coordinator • Media or Advertising Account • Certified Counselor • Assistant Television Program • University Recruiter Executive • Development Director Director • Counselor • Director of Tourism • Mediator FURTHER • District Sales Manager • Professor Students with a degree in Communication Studies from UWL • Instructor • Talk Show Host are prepared for graduate study in fields such as organizational • Insurance Representative • Health Personnel Educator communication, media studies, , health • Management Trainee • Grant Evaluator communication and college student personnel. The programs also • Pharmaceutical Sales Person • Community Relations Grants provide a solid foundation for students who aspire to attend law • Promotions Director Officer school or seminary.

Professional Associations

The Studies Department and faculty are affiliated with the following professional organizations.

• National Communication Association • International Communication Association • Central States Communication Association • Association for Education in and • National Association of Television Programming Directors • Society of America