Communication Studies program

MUndergrad major mUndergrad minor

Take your communication skills to the next level

With a degree in communication studies, you'll increase your understanding of the communication process and develop communication skills to serve you personally and professionally throughout your life. Effective communication is essential for success in any job that requires working with other people, giving directions and instructions, making presentations, designing messages, persuading others, promoting ideas and products, and helping others resolve problems.

UW-La Crosse's Communication Studies Department focuses on academic training and professional skill building, so graduates develop outstanding abilities in writing, speaking, organization and critical thinking.

Communication Studies jobs

Graduates may pursue communication-intensive careers in business, law, politics, social and human services, media, and higher education. Because effective communication skills are a major concern of almost every employer, the field also provides an excellent knowledge foundation and general skills for careers in any type of business, industry or organization in both the public and private sector.

Students with a UWL degree in Communication Studies are also prepared for graduate study in fields such as organizational communication, media studies, international relations, health communication and college student personnel. The programs also provide a solid foundation for students who aspire to graduate study in communications, counseling, student life, seminary and law school. 

Entry-level careers

  • Promotional specialist
  • Customer service representative
  • Management or administration trainee
  • Media production
  • Media sales
  • Personnel/human resources
  • Public information officer or press secretary
  • Salesperson
  • Event coordinator
  • Corporate trainer
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What is Communication Studies?

Communication studies is the study of the process of human communication.The field is broad because communication can be both verbal or non-verbal, and it is critical in a variety of settings. Communication can be interpersonal, mediated and intercultural. It can happen in public or private contexts. 

What distinguishes UWL's Communication Studies program?

Student involvement

Student organizations including Communication Club and Lambda Pi Eta allow students to become more involved with the department, the campus and in the community. Students in the Communication Club gain professional and social skills by providing peer advising, workshops and technical training. 

Earn credit for communication-intensive activities

Students are able to earn academic course credit for communication-intensive extracurricular activities through participation in communication studies activities courses and independent studies.

High rate of internship placement

The Communication Studies Department typically has one of the highest rates of internship placement at UWL. Faculty encourage students to include an internship as part of their academic experience, and many students pursue these experiences working in government, public or social services, public relations, advertising, management, promotions or other related organizations. 

Apply knowledge in small group discussions, research, case studies

Inside the classroom, students learn a wide variety of applications of theories and concepts. Courses focus on community and research projects, small group discussions, and case studies that ensure students leave the program with skills and knowledge to be successful. Communication studies faculty members help build skills not only in the student’s area of program emphasis, but across the communication studies field.

Writing-in the major program

Communication Studies is a Writing-in-the-Major Program, which means students will learn about written as well as spoken communication.

Semester-long investigation of a communication-related topic

Every communication studies major completes a semester-long investigation of a communication-related topic. This senior capstone project allows students the opportunity to conduct undergraduate research and work closely with a faculty mentor. It provides firsthand experience with valuable skills such as analytical thinking, the use of research tools, and the development of critical arguments and research questions.

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