Communication Bachelors Degree Programs Pennsylvania

Benefit from multidisciplinary learning to prepare for dynamic communication careers.

Communication skills and knowledge have never been more in demand than they are right now. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communication Studies at PennWest California offers students an essential set of tools and understanding through:

Project-driven coursework.
A collaborative learning environment.
Experienced faculty.
A vibrant, multidisciplinary community of learners.

Newly revised, the B.A. in Communication Studies program combines a range of innovative communication perspectives with a broad set of skills developed in applied courses across a spectrum of specialized communication contexts (media, public relations, film) and knowledge-building courses in philosophy, art history, theory and critique.

Gain a career advantage with PennWest California's focus on a well-rounded curriculum.

Students in communication studies learn how to make powerful, effective presentations; write for a range of audiences; and think about designing messages, images and communication campaigns. You will be immersed in the rich history of rhetoric, graphic design, philosophy, art history and the applied fields of media writing, video and audio production, film, and public relations.

Communication studies courses in persuasion, imagining, designing and executing communication messages open doors to a wide range of jobs and careers.

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: COMMUNICATION STUDIES

Solid foundation: The B.A. in Communication Studies program is unique in the region and across Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. At PennWest California, students in communication studies study philosophy, learn creative and visualization skills in graphic design, and develop visual perceptivity and cultural awareness from art history. Students also gain a full range of skills and knowledge in communication studies, including rhetoric, media, social media, research and public relations.

Rich resources: Communication studies faculty members engage in a range of research and applied scholarship, and welcome student participation. Students also can take advantage of our co-curricular student organizations, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and Studio 224, the graphic design club. These two student organizations also will be joining forces to form a new student-run communication firm. These organizations provide students with leadership opportunities and project experience, which serve to enhance their resumes. Students learn in recently renovated production studio space, equipped with an infinity screen, digital cameras and an editing suite.

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19:1

Student-to-faculty ratio at PennWest California.

120

Credit hours for the bachelor's degree in communication studies, which can be completed in eight semesters or four years.

Degree Benefits

Students take core courses and experience this learning as a group throughout their four years as communication studies majors. In the last two years of the program, students work closely with their advisers to custom-design their remaining coursework, drawing from a broad range of available courses. Students also can choose from three minors: art history, graphic design and philosophy. These minors can enhance graduates' skills and knowledge to help them succeed in organizational settings of all kinds.

Graduate Outcomes

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in media and communication occupations is projected to grow 4% through 2024, which will result in about 27,400 new jobs. PennWest California graduates are employed by such leading organizations nationwide as the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Phipps Botanical Gardens, Blue Cross Blue Shield, USA Today, FOX 5 DC, PR agency Hundred Stories and more. PennWest California graduates also go on to graduate study at such institutions as West Virginia University, University of Pittsburgh, Ohio University, Penn State, Delaware University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Communication Studies (B.A.)

Valuable internships

Communication studies majors are encouraged to take at least two internships, which often result in a first job offer. Students have had internships at Markowitz Communications; Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium; Pittsburgh Steelers; Pittsburgh Penguins; Pittsburgh Pirates; Washington Wild Things; American Diabetes Association; Make-A-Wish Foundation; Penn State Fayette, the Eberly Campus; Children's Museum of Pittsburgh; Harley-Davidson Motors; Froggy Radio; KDKA; Fox News; Republican National Convention; The Washington Center; Golf Channel; Whirl Magazine; Walt Disney World; The Tonight Show/NBC; and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

A communications studies student sits in the classroom.

Top benefits

Program graduates point to many important benefits from studying communication studies at PennWest California. Rachel Connelly '12, who is currently working at Blue Cross Blue Shield, says she was "workforce-ready for a variety of fields, including healthcare. This program prepared me to work in a mid-level position with the ability to grow into leadership." Marc Stempka '10, digital content writer at Geisinger Health System, says he was able to apply his internship experience to what he learned in the classroom. "Being close to Pittsburgh helped to greatly increase opportunities for internships, and my PennWest California professors were wonderful to work with when it came to balancing education and internships." Davine Behanna '06 says the program's top benefit is "small class sizes, which allow more one-on-one time with your professors and deeper, meaningful relationships with your classmates and professors." Behanna is the assistant to the director of a privately owned financial advisory firm.

A communication studies major uses the television studio.

Campus resources

California's radio station, WCAL, provides students with hands-on radio experience, while broadcasting news, sports, public service information and the best in popular music from a variety of genres. Students who successfully complete a training program are able to become on-air DJs. PennWest California Television (CUTV) is PennWest California's award-winning cable TV station, owned and operated by the Student Association Inc. CUTV offers students experience in television writing, production and performance.

Kate Brady working an internship with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Internship Experience

“My oral and written communications skills have improved through my internship experience,” says student Kate Brady. “On social media, I interact with more than 40,000 fans and in-person we connect with thousands of fans on game days. I have refined my skills and developed a professional communication style.”

B.A., Communication Studies Courses

Students benefit from a multidisciplinary program that offers courses in communication, graphic design, art history and philosophy.

Curriculum

Course	Credits
General Education Courses	40 or 41
Building a Sense of Community UNI 100 First-Year Seminar OR UNI 101 Introduction to University Studies OR HON 100 Honors and University Orientation	1
Composition ENG 101 English Composition I OR HON 150 Honors Composition I	3
Public Speaking CDC 101 Public Speaking	3
Mathematics and Quantitative Literacy Any Mathematics or Quantitative Literacy Course	3
Health and Wellness Any Health and Wellness Course	3
Technological Literacy Any Technological Literacy Course	3
Humanities Any Humanities Course	3
Fine Arts Any Fine Arts Course	3
Natural Sciences Any Natural Sciences Course	3 or 4
Social Sciences Any Social Sciences Course	3
Ethics and Multicultural Awareness PHI 220 Ethics	3
General Education Options Select one of the following courses related to reasoning: CDC 201 Argumentation and Advocacy PHI 115 Logic and Language PHI 311 Formal Logic I Select one of the following courses related to aesthetic appreciation: CCDC 252 The Art of Film PHI 335 Aesthetic Theory ART 270 Art History Today Select one of the following courses related to written expression: ENG 102 English Composition II ENG 211 Business and Professional Writing ENG 217 Sci and Tech Writing HON 250 Honors Comp II	9

Core Major Courses	30
CDC 100 Communication Perspectives	3
CDC 120 Visual Communication I	3
CDC 150 Imagine, Design, Create	3
CDC 151 Producing Media Messages I	3
CDC 200 Truth and Representation	3
CDC 220 Visual Culture	3
CDC 230 Strategic Professional Communication	3
CDC 304 Communication Research OR PHI 335 Aesthetic Theory	3
CDC 490 Theorizing Human Communication OR ART 422 After Modernism	3
CDC 498 Senior Project in Communication, Design and Culture OR CDC 499 Career Design Strategies	3

Advanced-Standing Courses (select four courses)	12
Conversations/Seminars Select at least one course from the following: CDC 310 Seminar in CDC CDC 350 Image, Sound, Text CDC 431 PR Cases and Problems CDC 461 Communication and Social Meaning CDC 465 Media Ethics CDC 490 Theorizing Human Communication	3 or 6
Experiential Learning Select at least one course from the following: CDC 301 Advanced Performance CDC 311 Special Experience Lab in CDC CDC 331 Public Relations Applications CDC 351 Media Production II CDC 430 PR and Integrated Communication Practicum CDC 432 Public Relations Campaign Management CDC 451 Producing Media Messages III CDC 455 Media Writing III CDC 497 Internship in CDC	3 or 6
Area Studies Select at least one course from the following: ART 422 After Modernism CDC 210 Special Topics in CDC CDC 302 Persuasion CDC 303 Organizational Communications CDC 304 Communication Research CDC 305 Sports Com and Media Relations CDC 312 Area Studies in CDC CDC 330 Intro to Public Relations CDC 355 Media Writing I CDC 356 Media Writing II CDC 357 Media Management CDC 370 Challenges in Communicating Science CDC 431 PR Cases and Problems CDC 450 Media, Society, Culture CDC 460 Phil of Art, His, Theory and Criticism CDC 498 Senior Project in CDC CDC 499 Career Design Strategies PHI 335 Aesthetic Theory	3 or 6

Free Electives	38
This category includes courses of interest to students, courses toward a minor and internships.	38

Total	120

Additional requirements, not counted toward the General Education requirements, include:

Special Experience Course (1 course required): CDC 498 Senior Project in CDC OR CDC 499 Career Design Strategies
Writing-Intensive Component Courses (2 courses required): (1) Select from: CDC 304 OR PHI 335 AND (2) Select from: CDC 490 OR ART 422
Laboratory Course (1 course required): Any Lab Course

Minors

Communication Studies Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree On-campus

About Communication Studies