Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies (B.A.)

 

Program Overview

Effective communication is consistently one of the most sought after skills by employers across industries. At West Chester University, we prepare our Communication Studies students with the talent, knowledge, and understanding to be leaders in our rapidly changing world. The Communication Studies (COM) major at West Chester University teaches students to observe, interpret, and evaluate human communication in a wide variety of contexts. Students explore the “how” of human interaction by studying a series of questions including: How do people form and send messages to one another? How do we interpret and act on the messages we receive? How do we create and maintain personal relationships with others? How do we construct a compelling argument and influence others? How do we resolve conflict? By addressing these questions and focusing on oral communication as a skill transferable across all careers, our students are highly sought after in every field when they graduate. AT WCU, what you do outside the classroom is just as important as what you do in it.

Get Involved:

• Forensics Speech and Debate Team
• Lambda Pi Eta national communications studies honor society
• Media Advisory Board
• Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
• The Quad (student newspaper)
• Ram Center
• Serpentine (yearbook)
• Students in Communication
• WCU Studios
• WCU Weekly
• West Chester University Radio (WCUR)

 

Program Highlights

Students can study communication as a generalized degree, or may choose to take focused electives, leading to a specialization in: Public Communication: Explores communication in public settings; Relational Communication: Explores communication in private settings; Organizational Communication: Explores communication in workplace settings.

Other Highlights:

• Media in Ireland (faculty-led study abroad)
• Media in London (faculty-led study abroad)
• Courses include:
• Communication Professions in Sports
• Games Culture and Theory
• Mass Media and Social Protest
• The Philadelphia Media Experience
• Search Engine Optimization Management
• Strategic Social Media
• Video Production
• Writing for Broadcast and Public Relations.

 

What can I do with this degree?

Our graduates are perfectly positioned to take on careers in any field they choose. Some recent job titles include:

• Assistant buyer
• Event Planner
• Photojournalist
• Actor
• Financial Product Manager
• Politician
• Admission Supervisor
• Foreign Language Interpreter
• Production Scout
• Audio Technician
• Human Resources Executive
• Professor
• Brand Manager
• International Account Representative
• Public Relations Representative
• Business Development Executive
• Lawyer
• Recruiter
• Buying Operations Coordinator
• Manager for On Air Talent
• Senior Coordinator, Global Loyalty Marketing
• Casting Associate
• Marketing Assistant
• Social Media Strategist
• Citizen Outreach Director
• Media Analyst
• Sports Writer
• Client Services Manager
• Mortgage Loan Processor
• Studio Coordinator
• Consultant
• Music Publicist
• Television Producer
• Copywriter
• News Writer
• Wellness Promoter
• Deputy Policy Director
• Nonprofit Coordinator
• Youth Program Manager
• Director, Global Strategic Account Marketing
• Operations Analyst
• Editorial Assistant
• Pharmaceutical Sales

Our graduates are employed at an impressive array of companies including:

• ABC
• Insomnia Cookies
• QVC
• Apple
• JP Morgan Chase & Co
• SAP
• Berkshire Hathaway
• National Constitution Center
• Twitter
• Calvin Klein
• NBC
• Urban Outfitters
• The Campbell Soup Company
• NFL Films
• Vanguard
• Comcast
• Philadelphia Flyers
• Victory Brewing Company
• IBM
• Philadelphia Mayor's Office of Community Empowerment & Opportunity
• YouthBuild Philadelphia
• Insomnia Cookies
• Philadelphia Phillies

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