Major in Communication Studies

Communication Studies majors gain a versatile, liberal arts education that prepares them to thrive in today's ever-evolving workplace, where having multiple careers is increasingly common. This dynamic major encompasses many facets of film and media studies, interpersonal and intercultural communication, leadership and organizational communication, and rhetoric and civic engagement. Along with courses in communication studies, the major requires courses in arts and humanities, social sciences, history, and a minor or second major.

Students who complete the Communication Studies major will be knowledgeable about the history and practice of our discipline in film, media, popular culture, rhetoric, democracy, civic engagement, interpersonal, organizational, and cultural communication.  Students will be able to explain the utility of theories from these areas and be able to utilize research methods to explore questions from each area of inquiry. 

Additionally, students graduating with a degree in Communication Studies will have skills that allow them to apply their knowledge of the major as they address contemporary issues salient to their personal, professional, and civic lives.  They will be skilled in both oral and written communication, being able to develop and deliver coherent, well-organized claims to specific audiences. Students will also develop critical thinking skills that allow them to analyze texts, situations, or issues using credible evidence and following a logical, systematic, and/or precise structure.

Concentrations

• Interpersonal, Community, and International Communication

• Leadership and Organizational Communication

• Media, Technology, and Popular Culture

• Rhetoric, Democracy, and Social Advocacy

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the history, theory, and research methods of film, media, popular culture, rhetoric, democracy, civic engagement, interpersonal, organizational, and cultural communication.
2. Develop and utilize oral communication skills across the study of communication.
3. Develop and utilize written communication and research skills across the study of communication.
4. Develop and utilize critical thinking and analysis in support of ethical, effective human communication.
5. Transfer the knowledge and skills gained in the communication studies program to a meaningful trajectory in their personal, career, and/or civic lives after graduation.

Accelerated Program

The major in Communication Studies includes an accelerated program option for students to graduate on a faster schedule. Accelerated Programs typically include 15-16 credits each fall and spring semester for three years, plus 6-9 credits over two to three summer sessions. Students who enter CSU with prior credit (AP, IB, transfer, etc.) may use applicable courses to further accelerate their graduation. Visit the Office of the Provost website for additional information about Accelerated Programs.

Potential Occupations

The Communication Studies major, like many liberal arts majors, provides students with a broad academic background suitable for a variety of jobs in the public and private sectors. Majors are trained to think independently and critically, communicate effectively, and function in a multicultural world. Employers appreciate communication studies majors for their multiple skills and their ability to adapt to a variety of tasks and work environments.

Many majors find employment in public relations/marketing, politics, sales, human relations, government, business management, convention and meeting planning, education, and social media. Some students move on to graduate work in communication studies and to post-graduate study in business, law, and theology.

Career opportunities include, but are not limited to, employee relations specialist, employment counselor, human resources consultant, industrial relations representative, public relations specialist, labor relations consultant, training director, vocational rehabilitation counselor, advance agent, business communicator, equal opportunity representative, foreign service officer, cooperative extension service worker, politician, lobbyist, speechwriter, press agent, literary agent, interviewer, sales representative, scriptwriter, filmmaker, lawyer, and teacher.

Internships are available to Communication Studies majors and are highly recommended to enhance practical training and development. Graduates who seek advanced studies can attain positions with higher responsibilities and can rise to top professional levels.

Change of Major

To change your major to Communication Studies, you can either call the College of Liberal Arts Academic Advising Center at 970-491-3117, or send them an email.

Effective Fall 2026

Students may enroll in either the standalone major or (at most) one of the concentrations under the Major in Communication Studies.

¹

Select three credits from the following subject codes: ART, D, E, ETST, L***, MU, PHIL, TH, or WS. 

²

Select a total of three credits from the following: AREC 202, GR 100, courses with subject codes ANTH, ECON, ETST, HIST, JTC, POLS, PSY, SOC, or WS. 

³

Select a total of 24 credits of SPCM subject code courses excluding SPCM 479 and SPCM 495. Students may count up to 6 credits total from the SPCM 278 series (e.g., SPCM 278A, SPCM 278B, etc.); SPCM 384; SPCM 386; SPCM 387; SPCM 486A; SPCM 486B; and SPCM 486Ctowards their Communication Studies electives. No more than 3 credits may come from any one course number.

⁴

Students must complete a university approved minor, interdisciplinary minor, or second major.

⁵

Select enough elective credits to bring program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).