Future Student FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Considering an undergraduate degree in Communication?

Explore some of our frequently asked questions below, or contact us for more information.

Why should I major in Communication? What kind of job can I get with a degree in Communication?

The field of Communication is a fast-changing and fascinating field of study that makes for one of the most versatile college majors. The Communication program allows you to learn about all aspects of human communication. Communication majors learn about how people communicate with each other, how to communicate effectively interpersonally, on an organizational level, or via the mass media, what mass media messages mean and how they impact individuals and society and, in the process, they also build skills that can open the door to many rewarding career opportunities. Here are some examples:

Electronic Media/Radio/Television

  • Director of Broadcasting
  • Producer
  • Market Researcher
  • Technical Writer
  • Web developer
  • Social Media Specialist

Journalism

  • Editor
  • News Writer
  • Technical Writer
  • Technical Writer
  • Newscaster
  • Anchorperson

Advertising

  • Advertising Specialist
  • Copywriter
  • Media Planner
  • Creative Director
  • Media Buyer/Sales Representative

Public Relations

  • Publicist
  • Lobbyist
  • Account Executive
  • Corporate Public Affairs

Digital Film / Cinema

  • Producer
  • Screenwriter
  • Film Editor
  • Film Critic
  • Cinematographer
  • Video Production Specialist

Health Care

  • Health Educator/Communicator
  • Health Campaign Director
  • Health Communication Analyst
  • Medical Grant Writer
  • Hospital Director of Communication

Government / Politics

  • Political Campaign Director
  • Public Information Office Writer
  • Program Coordinator
  • Legislative Assistant

Business

  • Manager
  • Personnel Recruiter
  • Negotiator / Mediator
  • Director of Training and Development
  • Customer Service Representative

Law

  • Legal Researcher
  • Legal Secretary
  • Legal Reporter
  • Mediation & Negotiation Specialist
What do Communication majors study?

The B.A. in Communication provides a broad-based liberal arts degree designed to foster students’ abilities to understand, analyze, and effectively engage in a wide range of communication practices. It fosters critical thinking about the ways that symbols and interactions contribute to social problems and solutions to them, to identities and differences, to organizations and work, to personal relationships and groups and to experience and meaning across cultural settings.

At the same time, the major provides instruction and practice in the skills of effective communication and collaborative problem-solving that employers are looking for—speaking, writing, reading, listening, asking good questions, utilizing media and working in groups. The mix of theory and practice gives students the tools to improve communication performance and critical awareness of it across many situations.

What Communication tracks can I choose from?

The Communication Department Undergraduate Program offers the following degree track options: General Communication, Media Studies, Digital Filmmaking, Professional Communication (Organization, Strategic, Leadership), and Sports Communication. Students may also earn a General Communication degree completely online. To learn more about each of these degree tracks, visit the Undergraduate Degree Options page.

What are the requirements to earn a degree in Communication?

All undergraduate tracks require 36 credit hours of Communication courses, 18 of which must be upper-division (3000-level or higher). All Communication majors must take COMM 2030. Additionally, Communication majors take 3 Foundation Courses, 6 required courses in their track, and 3 courses from the list of electives in their track. Some Foundation Courses may be taken as electives but cannot be counted as both a Foundation Course and an elective. To graduate with a degree in Communication, students must have a 2.0 GPA or better.

All Communication majors must submit examples of their coursework to an ePortfolio as a requirement to graduate. The examples (artifacts) will differ depending on a student's chosen track. Students will submit their entire completed ePortfolio during their final semester.  More information can be found on the ePortfolio page.

Are internships available?

Yes. An internship is part of the curriculum for the Digital Filmmaking & Media Arts, Media Studies, Leadership Communication, and Organizational & Strategic Communication tracks. Visit the Internships page for more information.

Does the Communication department have a graduate program?

Yes. The Communication Department offers students the opportunity to engage in advanced study via the M.A. in Communication program. In the graduate program, students are encouraged to develop expertise in Professional (Organizational) Communication, Media Studies, or advanced studies with an emphasis on students’ own area of interest. For more information, visit the Graduate page.

What are the employment projection statistics for Communication? Where can I learn more about careers in Communication?

Colorado Statistics:

  • 2016 Annual median salary for Public Relations Specialists is $53,030; employment is expected to grow 21% by 2024.
  • 2016 Annual median salary for Training & Development Specialists is $65,470; employment is expected to grow 27% by 2024.
  • 2016 Annual median salary for Film/Video Editors is $62,760; employments is expected to grow 15% by 2024.
  • 2016 Annual median salary for Event Planners is $41,230; employment is expected to grow 44% by 2024.

For More Information

For more information, contact the T. Rowe Price Career and Innovation Center at careers@uccs.edu or (719) 255-3340.