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Communication StudiesMajor

We prepare skillful communicators at both the theoretical and applied levels. Choose from four areas of emphasis (health, interpersonal or strategic/organization communication and social media and communication technology) — or complete the integrated communication track for a more general focus.

Overview

What is Communication Studies at WVU like?

Description

Communication Studies is all about understanding the processes of how we stimulate meaning in the minds of others to meet our many personal, professional and social goals — be it trying to seek information, form relationships, engage in persuasive communication or simply to entertain ourselves and each other.

A degree in Communication Studies opens doors to allow you to be successful in just about any career, from healthcare to human resources, from sales to social media, from image management to promotions. The curriculum will make you even more attractive to potential employers or graduate programs.

Communication Studies program highlights:

At a Glance

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Areas of Emphasis

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

  • Health Communication
    Prepares students for health-related fields by focusing on communication over the lifespan, health campaigns, mediated communication and persuasion. Students learn how to effectively design and evaluate health messages to be communicated internally, organizationally and within the community.
  • Integrated Communication
    General communication education. Degree program can be tailored to student’s interest with the help of an adviser.
  • Interpersonal Communication
    Students will develop skills that will allow them to investigate, identify and enact effect behaviors in personal relationships, such as family, coworkers, small group, friends and romantic partnerships.
  • Social Media and Communication Technology
    Students will gain expertise in the emerging role of social networking and social media in human communication for interpersonal, instructional, organizational and strategic contexts.
  • Strategic/Organizational Communication
    Students will build an understanding of organizational communication, social media, small group dynamics, persuasion and communication campaigns.

Fast Facts

What makes Communication Studies at WVU unique?

Research and Academic Opportunities

The Department of Communication Studies offers a nine-week, nine-credit-hour study abroad program in Germany — the Summer Program in Communication Studies at Erfurt, or SPICE.

Early College Program

Get a head start (and save money) in our High School ACCESS program for high school students. Choose from online, on-campus or dual credit courses that fulfill requirements for general education or Communication Studies. Online courses to consider for this major include:

  • COMM 103: Presentational Speaking
  • COMM 104: Public Communication
  • COMM 105: Introduction to the Mass Media
  • COMM 112: Small Group Communication

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Professional Organizations

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Communication Studies major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in Communication Studies at WVU?

COMM 300:
Interpersonal Communication Theory

Analysis of interpersonal communication theories, frameworks, and/or perspectives from a social scientific approach.

COMM 307:
Life-Span Communication

Development of communication from birth through adulthood to later years; study of media, interpersonal relationships, and competence in communication. This course is not open to freshmen.

COMM 308:
Nonverbal Communication

An examination of the effects of human nonverbal behavior on human communication. Emphasis on specific nonverbal behaviors including touch, time, environmental contexts, physical appearance cues, and social communication cues. This course is not open to freshmen.

COMM 316:
Intercultural Communication

Examines similarities and differences between cultures with regard to norms, values, and practices in verbal and nonverbal communication. Emphasis on communication in Latin America, Asian, African, and Middle Eastern cultures. This course is not open to freshmen.

COMM 425:
Computer Mediated Communications

Explores the relationships between CMC and various aspects of human activity. Investigates established and emerging CMC-based social, cultural, organizational, and instructional activities.

Cost and Aid

How much does Communication Studies at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

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Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

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Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Early College Program

Get a head start (and save money) in our High School ACCESS program for high school students. Choose from online, on-campus or dual credit courses that fulfill requirements for general education or Communication Studies. Online courses to consider for this major include:

  • COMM 103: Presentational Speaking
  • COMM 104: Public Communication
  • COMM 105: Introduction to the Mass Media
  • COMM 112: Small Group Communication

Learn About Our HS ACCESS Early College Program

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Communication Studies at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Communication Studies major, you must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

What minors could I consider?

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.

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Request Information

Want to know more about Communication Studies at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

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Visit WVU

It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

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