BA in Communication

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Rutgers University Newark

Program Overview

The Communication major at Rutgers University combines communication theory and practice to help students develop strong writing, speaking, research, collaboration and strategic-thinking skills that can be applied across industries. With 36 credits of major coursework and five optional specializations—including Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations, Communication and Technology, and Health and Wellness Communication—students can shape the degree around their career interests.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students begin with 04:189:101 Introduction to Communication & Information Processes, which establishes the foundations of communication and information studies, alongside 04:189:102 Introduction to Media or 04:189:103 Information Technology and Informatics. College Writing also develops the written communication skills needed for later research, presentations and professional work.

Year 2:

Students move into core communication theory and interpersonal skills through 04:192:200 Communication Theory and 04:192:201 Communication in Relationships. They also take 04:192:300 Communication Research, learning how evidence and systematic research can be used to understand communication processes and their consequences.

Year 3:

Students strengthen their professional communication abilities through 04:192:380 Public Speaking and an upper-level course such as 04:192:354 Communication and Technology, 04:192:355 Interpersonal Communication, 04:192:357 Organizational Communication, or 04:192:359 Persuasive Communication. Upper-level electives then allow students to begin building a specialization around areas such as public relations, leadership, technology or health communication.

Year 4:

In the final year, students complete advanced Communication electives tailored to their specialization, with options such as 04:192:410 Media, Marketing and Communication, 04:192:411 Crisis Communication and Public Information, 04:192:446 Audience and Market Analysis, or 04:192:432 Communication, Technology, and Society. Students can also pursue 04:192:470 Research in Communication, an independent research opportunity that counts toward the major, helping them graduate with deeper expertise in their chosen area.

Focus Areas:

Health and Wellness Communication, Leadership in Organizations and Community, Relationship and Family Communication, Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations, Communication and Technology, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, persuasive communication, media and marketing, communication research

Learning Outcomes:

Written and oral communication, communication theory, interpersonal and organizational communication, research and evidence evaluation, persuasive communication, strategic thinking, collaboration and leadership, ethical and civic communication, communication technology, media and audience analysis.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

Rutgers is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and this institutional accreditation covers Rutgers’ academic programs. The official Communication program information does not identify a separate professional accreditation specifically for the Communication major.

Reputation (Employability & Recognition):

The Rutgers School of Communication and Information reports an 82% current outcomes rate for 2025, reflecting graduates with a known first destination within six months, and maintains an alumni network of more than 36,000 SC&I alumni worldwide. The school also reports a $60,000 median starting salary for the SC&I Class of 2024, providing a useful indicator of the career value of its communication-related education.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Rutgers gives Communication students opportunities to move beyond classroom theory through internships, faculty-led research, independent study, student organizations and career-connected experiences. Students can work with faculty on original research, earn academic credit through internships, use professional career platforms and connect with employers through the School of Communication and Information’s career network:

• Communication Undergraduate Internship Program — Students can identify internship opportunities, receive academic credit while working with a company or organization, and learn how to balance professional responsibilities with their studies.

• Research in Communication — 04:192:470 — Junior and senior Communication majors can conduct original research under faculty guidance, developing practical experience with communication research.

• Independent Study in Communication — 04:192:491/492 — Students can work one-on-one with faculty to pursue focused study beyond standard coursework and deepen their expertise in an area of interest.

• Communication and Technology — Students interested in digital communication can explore Introduction to Social Media, Audience and Market Analysis, Social Network Analysis, Analytics, and Communication, Technology, and Society.

• Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations — Students can develop professional skills through courses such as Media, Marketing and Communication, Crisis Communication and Public Information, Organizational Reputation and Representation, and Persuasive Communication.

• Student Organizations — SC&I supports more than a dozen student organizations that provide academic, service, social and career-related activities and opportunities for students to build community and professional connections.

• Handshake — Every Rutgers student receives access to Handshake, where Communication students can find internships and employment opportunities while using career-development tools.

• SC&I Career Toolkit — Students receive resources for résumé development, LinkedIn profiles, interview preparation, networking, job searching and salary negotiation.

• Study Abroad — Rutgers SC&I students can participate in short- or long-term study-abroad courses, adding international perspectives and experiences to their education.

• CNN Experience — Rutgers undergraduates have been invited by CNN to visit its Manhattan studio, observe a live broadcast and participate in a follow-up panel, giving students exposure to a major professional media environment.

Facilities and student opportunities: Rutgers School of Communication and Information.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Rutgers Communication degree is designed for broad career flexibility, with graduates prepared to apply communication skills across corporate communication, public relations, marketing, healthcare, government, nonprofit organizations, media and market research. The program’s specialization options and practical experiences allow students to graduate with both a broad communication foundation and focused expertise aligned with their career goals.

Typical job roles: Public Relations Specialist, Corporate Communications Specialist, Marketing Communications Specialist, Communication Research Analyst

Students can strengthen their transition into employment through Rutgers’ dedicated career services, internship programs and employer connections:

• SC&I Career Services — Students receive one-on-one career support, internship and job guidance, networking opportunities, employer engagement and individualized career planning.

• Handshake and SC&I Job Board — Students can access new job and internship opportunities, with the SC&I Job Board averaging 70+ new roles per month.

• Employment Outcomes — SC&I reports an 82% 2025 current outcomes rate, measuring graduates with a known first destination within six months.

• Salary Outcomes — The median starting salary for the SC&I Class of 2024 was $60,000, according to Rutgers’ post-graduation survey.

• Alumni Network — Students can benefit from an SC&I network of 36,000 alumni worldwide, alongside the broader Rutgers alumni community of more than 615,000.

• Industry Exposure — Rutgers places students close to major communication and media markets, with the School highlighting access to major media markets, global brands and mission-driven nonprofits.

• Internship-to-Career Preparation — The Communication Undergraduate Internship Program allows students to earn credit while gaining experience with companies and organizations, helping connect academic learning directly with professional environments.

• Long-Term Accreditation Value — Rutgers’ MSCHE institutional accreditation provides an established quality framework covering the university’s academic programs.

• Graduation Flexibility — Communication graduates can enter fields including corporate communication, government and politics, healthcare, market research, nonprofit and advocacy organizations, education and public relations.

Further Academic Progression: Students can continue into Rutgers’ Master of Communication and Media (MCM) through the five-year BA/MCM option. Eligible Communication majors can begin graduate coursework during their senior year, with up to 12 graduate credits counting toward both degrees, creating a streamlined pathway to advanced study in communication and media.