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Communication Studies

School of Communication and the Arts

Communications Study

Do you want a career in today's dynamic communication industry?

Consider the Communication Studies Major

You will explore a broad range of oral, written, and technology-based communication methods. Your active, hands-on learning will include:

  • Training in public speaking, community relations, reporting, and multi-media production
  • Learning essential skills for information delivery and digital age communication
  • Examining social, economic, and political relations

You can actively participate in:

  • Writing, directing, and producing campus television shows
  • Reporting, editing, and publishing the campus newspaper
  • Creating and presenting scholarly work at academic conferences
  • Producing community service documentaries, video shorts, and other presentations
  • Engaging in study abroad and internship opportunities

You will identify your interests by following a common core curriculum of:

Interpersonal communication
Media and culture
Writing for the media
Research methods
Persuasion and communication theory

Which track is for you?

Based on your interests, you can then choose one of the four emphases:

You will take classes in Elliot & Rosel Schewel Hall, the newest building on campus. The facilities, which are all part of the Donovan Media Development Center, include:

  • State-of-the-art television studio with professional-grade cameras
  • Fully digital television control room
  • Four video edit bays
  • One large client production studio
  • Media graphics lab
  • Convergent media newsroom
  • Desktop and Macintosh editing and publishing labs
  • Focus rooms for community client meetings

What are some of our graduates are doing now?

  • Co-Host of "Living in the Heart of Virginia" for WSET TV in Lynchburg, Va. Emily Robinson '03
  • Director of Local Programming for Microsoft, Inc. Cyrus Krohn, '94
  • NASA's Public Affairs Outreach and Education Manager for the Exploration Technology Development Program Kimberly Land, '96
  • Founder/CEO of Point7west, Inc. Steven Richardson, '97
  • Special Projects Producer for WCNC TV in Charlotte, N.C. Rachel Clapp, '99
  • Director of Communications at Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest Angela Hatcher Lynch, '00
  • Public Relations Account Executive at O'Brien et al Advertising Mia Wingfield, '01
  • Professional actor, and publicity manager at Rocky Hock Playhouse in Washington, N.C. Dyanna Sorvillo, '08
  • Print newspaper reporter for The Gazette, a weekly community newspaper owned by the Washington Post Elizabeth Skalski, '08
  • Assistant Director of Alumni Programs at Lynchburg College Ally Datz, '09