Communication (BA)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Delaware

Program Overview

The Communication B.A. at the University of Delaware combines communication theory and research with practical training in oral communication, media production, broadcast journalism and public relations, making it a flexible choice for students interested in media, marketing, public relations, leadership and communication-focused careers. Students can shape the degree through Interpersonal and Organizational Leadership, Media Communication, or Public Relations concentrations while developing skills that can be applied across professional and social settings.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: Students establish a strong communication foundation through courses such as COMM100: Foundations of Communication and COMM212: Public Speaking & Professional Presentation, building confidence in communication, presentation and critical thinking. Depending on their interests, students can also explore COMM209: Introduction to Public Relations, COMM230: Interpersonal Skills for Professional and Personal Success, or COMM245: Media Industries and Society.

Year 2: Students develop stronger research and communication-analysis skills through COMM301: Introduction to Communication Research. They then begin moving toward their chosen concentration through courses such as COMM311: Public Relations Writing, COMM341: Theories of Interpersonal Communication, or COMM370: Media Theory: The Why and How of Media Dynamics, alongside their breadth and university requirements.

Year 3: Students move into more specialized coursework based on their selected concentration in Interpersonal and Organizational Leadership, Media Communication, or Public Relations. The year also includes a Discovery Learning Experience, giving students an opportunity to connect their academic learning with practical or experiential work.

Year 4: Students complete advanced concentration coursework, electives and a capstone course, bringing together their communication knowledge and practical skills. The final year can also be used to strengthen professional preparation through internships, research, student media activities or other experiential opportunities.

Focus Areas:

Interpersonal and organizational leadership, media communication, public relations, communication research, public speaking, media theory, media production, broadcast journalism, strategic communication, social media, advertising, persuasion, intercultural communication, political communication.

Learning Outcomes:

Clear and effective oral presentation, concise and effective writing, information evaluation, social-scientific research, application of communication theory to real-world contexts, critical analysis of media's legal, political, ethical, social and cultural influences, media production and professional communication skills.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Communication B.A. is designed around transferable communication, research and professional skills rather than preparation for only one occupation. The University of Delaware's official program information does not list a separate professional accreditation specifically for the Communication B.A. Students can further specialize through minors such as advertising, interactive media, journalism or political communication.

Reputation (Employability & Outcomes):

The University of Delaware reports that 96% of its Communication bachelor's students are employed or pursuing further education, demonstrating strong post-graduation progression for the department's undergraduate communication students. UD also reports that Communication is ranked 126 out of 438 institutions for salary potential by field/major in its published rankings information.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

UD's Communication program deliberately connects classroom theory with professional practice through internships, faculty-mentored research, independent study and student media. Students can work with professional communication organizations, develop media-production skills using dedicated facilities, participate in student television and radio, and connect with alumni through department activities and career-focused experiences.

Students can build their practical experience through these specific opportunities:

• Student Television Network (STN49) — Students can gain hands-on experience in television production and broadcasting through the student-run television operation.

• Media Production Lab — Communication students have access to dedicated media-production facilities and equipment where they can practice video production, television production and broadcasting techniques.

• WVUD 91.3 Radio — The campus/community radio station provides a real broadcasting environment where students can develop practical media and communication experience.

• The Review — The independent student-run newspaper provides another platform for students interested in writing, journalism, reporting and media communication.

• Communication Internships — Junior and senior Communication majors with at least a 2.75 GPA in communication courses can pursue approved internships and earn academic credit through COMM364. Students can find opportunities independently or search the university's Handshake database.

• Undergraduate Research – COMM468 — Eligible juniors and seniors can complete faculty-mentored undergraduate research for academic credit, developing research and analytical skills through an individually designed project.

• Independent Study – COMM366/COMM466 — Students can work one-on-one with a communication professor on a specialized project, creating a written proposal and completing an approved research or communication project for academic credit.

• Career Trek to New York City — Communication students have participated in department-sponsored visits to organizations including NBC, NBCUniversal and Paradigm Talent Agency, where they met UD alumni and learned about communication careers directly from professionals.

• Journalism Opportunities — Students pursuing the Journalism minor can participate in The Review, STN49 and WVUD Radio, while eligible students can apply for the Statehouse News Fellowship and cover the Delaware General Assembly alongside professional editors and news organizations.

• Communication Research Facilities — The department provides opportunities to develop research skills through faculty-led projects involving areas such as media, public opinion, relationships and society.

Facilities: Pearson Hall houses the Department of Communication along with three instructional television studios and a student-run TV studio, supporting the department's practical media-production environment.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Communication B.A. prepares graduates for diverse careers because students combine communication theory, research, writing, presentation and media skills with a concentration aligned to their interests. UD identifies career directions including higher education, human relations, news and media, public policy or political communication, public relations, research and marketing, while graduates can also pursue graduate or professional study.

Typical career options: Public Relations Specialist, Communications Specialist, Media Relations Specialist, Marketing Communications Specialist

• Career & Post-Graduate Success Hub — UD provides career exploration resources including career assessments, salary information, job responsibilities, skill requirements and career-outcome data that can be filtered by major.

• Communication Internship Support — The department connects students with internships that provide job experience, professional mentorship and potential employment opportunities after graduation.

• 96% Communication Bachelor's Outcome — UD reports that 96% of Communication bachelor's students are employed or pursuing further education, providing a strong official indicator of post-graduation progression.

• Industry & Alumni Connections — Communication students can benefit from UD's alumni network and department-sponsored professional experiences, including visits to organizations such as NBC and NBCUniversal, where students meet alumni working in the industry.

• Career Outcomes & Salary Data — UD's Career Outcomes system follows the NACE First-Destination Survey model and reports employment, continuing education, employers, job titles and salary information where sufficient data are available. UD does not currently display a reliable Communication-specific salary figure in the accessible career-outcomes view, so a specific salary figure should not be presented as a Communication B.A. graduate salary.

• Professional Flexibility — Communication graduates have entered television and radio, publishing, public relations, advertising, news, employee relations, counseling, sales and marketing, and politics.

• Long-Term Professional Value — The degree develops transferable skills in communication, research, writing, presentation, media analysis and professional communication that can be applied across multiple industries rather than limiting graduates to one occupation.

Further Academic Progression: Students can continue into UD's M.A. in Communication or M.A. in Strategic Communication, as well as related graduate and professional programs. Communication majors can also apply during their junior year for UD's 4+1 accelerated program, allowing them to complete the B.A. in Communication and M.A. in Strategic Communication within five years, with graduate-level specialization in strategic communication, public relations, digital media and social media.