What you will study
What is communication studies? As a Communication Studies major at the University
of Central Missouri, you’ll learn how to communicate effectively and with confidence
in a variety of settings. You’ll also refine your critical thinking skills and become
adept at analyzing different kinds of messaging — and how they play a role in shaping
relationships and strategies of various organizations.
Focus your undergraduate studies to align with your career goals. For Communication
Studies majors with specific career paths in mind, we offer three learning pathways:
Communication Consultancy, Social Media and Influence and Relational Communication.
You’ll also be empowered to explore knowledge within other disciplines in relation
to communication studies. UCM Communication Studies majors have a lot of elective
credits to study topics outside of the field and further increase their career skills.
Here’s a taste of some of the popular courses you’ll have a chance to take in the
Communication Studies BS at the University of Central Missouri:
- Dale Carnegie Communication: Leave a positive impression with anyone and everyone. In this course, you’ll learn
tactics for networking, remembering names and making a positive impact with every
interaction.
- Small Groups/Teams: Study and learn in teams with your peers through the entire semester, honing the skills
you need to be an effective collaborator and communicator.
- Social Influence: Dive deep into the common traits of the most influential persuaders and learn how
to protect yourself against manipulative messaging.
- Women, Minorities and the Media: Dig into the ways in which gender and other aspects of identity are represented in
the media. Learn how you can use messaging to empower people on a personal level and
inspire positive societal change.
Excellence in Communication Studies
- One of the Most Popular Colleges for Communication & Journalism (College Factual,
2022)
- Top 10%: Best Value Colleges for Communication & Journalism (College Factual, 2021)
Unique learning opportunities in communication studies
At the University of Central Missouri, our focus is on preparing you for your future
with classes that are relevant to your interests and career goals. Your growth opportunities
don’t end in the classroom, though. Take advantage of a variety of ways to gain hands-on,
real-world job experience as a Communication Studies major at UCM:
- Internships: Gain course credit and work experience simultaneously through internships. Our alumni
engagement program, industry contacts and vast faculty network can help connect you
with exciting opportunities to bolster your resume and further your learning.
- Study abroad: Learn how different cultures communicate in other countries. Our Center for Global
Education maintains an extensive network of connections throughout Europe, the Middle
East and Oceania that you can use to find quality education opportunities in exciting new locations.
- Service learning: At UCM, we believe that applying our learning to community work is one of the most
effective ways to make coursework meaningful to students. You can discover the importance
of communication studies with service and applied projects in multiple classes.
What can you do with a Communication Studies major from UCM?
A bachelor’s in Communication Studies is one of the most valuable degrees you can
take into the workforce. The interpersonal communication, teamwork, writing and public
speaking skills you’ll pick up and hone as a Communication Studies major at the University
of Central Missouri can make you a versatile, competitive prospect in the job market.
In fact, 95% of graduates from the University of Central Missouri’s Communication
Studies program report feeling prepared to enter the job market upon graduation. Plus,
95% start their career or grad school within six months of completing our undergraduate
program.
UCM Communications Studies majors have gone on to establish successful careers in
an array of fields, including:
- Human resources
- Public relations
- Advertising and marketing
- Sales
- Community relations
- Writing and publishing
- Recruiting
- Management
Learn more about careers in communication studies
Explore possible career pathways that a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies
can open for you using the interactive tool below. Gain insights into potential earnings,
job outlooks and more.
Financial assistance options for your Communication Studies degree
Did you know that 94% of UCM undergraduates receive financial aid? We believe that
you shouldn’t have to go into massive debt to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Communication
Studies, and we work hard to make education affordable for our students.
Tuition at UCM is lower than many other colleges in Missouri and is lower than the
national average. We award $21 million in institutional aid to students annually.
In fact, we’re ranked as a top overall university nationally for low student debt
by LendEDU. Explore all the ways you can pursue a Communication Studies degree affordably by visiting our Financing Your Education page.
You can learn more about program-specific scholarships with the .
Meet Katie K.
BA Humanities ’18
“I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Get to Know Your Professors
Expert communicators, educators, mentors
As a Communication Studies major at UCM, you can expect your teachers to engage you
with real-world applications of the concepts you learn in class. Our faculty are active
researchers in both applied and theoretical contexts of communications. They can open
doors to land internships and job opportunities to gain experience that helps you
stand out to employers.
Meet Our Faculty
Make the Most of Campus Life
Learning and fun don’t end in the classroom
At the University of Central Missouri, we offer a wealth of student organizations
and engaging activities on campus. Some of the most popular with Communication Studies
majors include the American Marketing Association, the Muleskinner student newspaper,
Arcade Magazine and Enactus.
Ways to Get Involved
A Campus Built for You
Campus culture is just as important to student success as quality faculty and facilities.
Learn more about our mission to support your growth.
See Our Vision
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