BA with Major in Communication

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Illinois Chicago

Program Overview

The BA with a Major in Communication at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) combines communication theory, media studies, research, technology, and critical thinking to help students understand how people, organizations, and societies communicate. The flexible 120-credit degree is well suited to students interested in careers across public relations, marketing, media, journalism, business, government, research, and consulting, with four optional pathways that allow students to shape the degree around their interests.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students establish their communication foundation through COMM 101 Introduction to Communication, COMM 102 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication, and COMM 103 Media Literacy, while also completing academic writing and general education requirements. These courses introduce communication concepts, interpersonal interaction, media awareness, and the analytical skills needed for advanced study.

Year 2:

Students continue developing their communication knowledge and begin exploring how communication operates through technology and different social contexts. Courses such as COMM 200 Communication Technologies and upper-level Communication electives allow students to connect communication theory with contemporary media and technology.

Year 3:

The curriculum becomes more research-focused through COMM 301 Communication Research, where students study designs and measurements used to analyze communication in laboratory and business settings. Students also begin taking 200-, 300-, and 400-level Communication courses, with opportunities to explore areas such as COMM 306 Organizational Communication, COMM 316 Writing for the Electronic Media, or COMM 323 Argument and Persuasion.

Year 4:

Students complete advanced Communication coursework and finish the major with COMM 490 Seminar in Culture and Communication or COMM 491 Seminar in Media and Communication, alongside additional 200-, 300-, or 400-level courses. This final stage allows students to bring together communication theory, research, media knowledge, and specialized interests while preparing for professional or graduate opportunities.

Focus Areas:

Communication theory, interpersonal communication, media literacy, communication technologies, digital communication, organizational communication, media and culture, journalism, public relations, advertising, digital marketing, communication research, persuasion, electronic media, social media, communication and technology, intercultural communication.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop skills in communication research, critical analysis, reasoned argument, media literacy, writing, digital communication, interpersonal and organizational communication, research methods, problem-solving, and communicating effectively across diverse cultural and technological environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The BA in Communication does not list a separate specialized professional accreditation. UIC is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and received its most recent reaffirmation in July 2024, with its next comprehensive review scheduled for 2033–2034.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings):

UIC tied for No. 43 among U.S. public national universities in the 2027 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings and ranked No. 17 nationally and No. 1 in Illinois for social mobility. UIC also ranked No. 49 overall among more than 1,500 institutions in Washington Monthly's 2026 Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars rankings and placed among the top 20 public universities nationally.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

UIC's Communication program connects academic study with practical communication, media, research, and professional experiences. Students can personalize their studies through four optional pathways, participate in internships, create media content, work on research projects, and gain experience through Chicago-based organizations and student media such as UIC Radio.

• COMM 474 Internship: Students work in an approved professional setting and complete individual projects under the guidance of a faculty member and field supervisor; internships are strongly recommended by the Communication program.

• COMM 360 Public Relations Campaigns: Students respond to real requests for proposals and develop PR campaign plans addressing challenges such as public awareness, risk reduction, and tourism marketing.

• COMM 270 Digital Influencers: Students analyze influencer marketing campaigns, develop business pitches, and create digital content to promote products or services, providing direct experience with contemporary digital communication.

• COMM 330 Mass Media and Popular Culture: Students create hands-on media content, including podcasts and blog posts, while analyzing the cultural impact of media.

• COMM 301 Communication Research: Students learn research designs and measurement techniques for empirical communication analysis in laboratory and business settings.

• UIC Radio: The official student-led radio station gives Communication students opportunities to create and direct programming across music, talk radio, news, and public affairs.

• Chicago Social Media Lab: Students interested in public relations, advertising, and digital marketing can engage with a UIC student experience focused on contemporary social media communication.

• Digital Journalism pathway: Students can develop practical digital journalism skills through coursework focused on producing and publicizing news content for today's digital news environment.

• Communication Technology and User Experience pathway: Students can build skills around communication technologies, digital experiences, and user-centered communication as part of their customized Communication degree.

• LAS Career Development and Internships: Students receive individualized career counseling, workshops, networking opportunities, internship guidance, and access to UIC Handshake for internships, research, part-time, and career opportunities.

• UIC campus and Chicago environment: Studying Communication in Chicago gives students access to a major metropolitan environment while the department encourages students to combine Communication with minors, study abroad, and interdisciplinary opportunities.

Facilities and student resources: UIC Department of Communication, Behavioral Sciences Building (1140 BSB), UIC Radio, Chicago Social Media Lab, LAS career resources, and UIC Handshake.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BA in Communication is designed as a flexible liberal arts degree that can lead into communication, media, marketing, public relations, journalism, business, government, and consulting careers. UIC's department highlights alumni working in organizations such as Chicago PBS, Illinois Action for Children, Chicago Children's Museum, WGN Radio, RPM Advertising, the City of Chicago, and UIC itself.

Typical job roles: Communications Specialist, Public Relations Specialist, Marketing Coordinator, Media Analyst

Students can strengthen their transition from university to employment through:

• LAS Career Development and Internships Office: Provides individualized career counseling, workshops, networking events, internship guidance, and support for developing students' professional brands.

• UIC Handshake: Students can search for part-time jobs, internships, research positions, and full-time career opportunities through UIC's career platform.

• Communication alumni network: UIC highlights alumni working as an Account Executive at WTTW/Chicago PBS, Communication and Media Project Manager at Illinois Action for Children, Executive Producer at WGN Radio, Integrated Media Planner at RPM Advertising, Legislative Aide for the City of Chicago, and Marketing Coordinator at Evolve Recycling.

• Industry-focused pathways: The four Communication pathways connect students with career areas including UX and communication technology, digital journalism, PR/advertising/digital marketing, and media, entertainment and culture.

• Professional experience: UIC's Communication program strongly recommends internships, while COMM 474 allows approved professional work to count for academic credit within the major's limits.

• Career outcomes: UIC's older First Destination reporting found that 76.8% of responding graduates in its Class of 2016 survey were employed, continuing education, participating in a service program, or serving in the military; 65.9% of full-time employed respondents had completed one or more internships while at UIC. This is university-wide historical data rather than a current Communication-specific outcome, so it should be treated as contextual rather than a current program placement rate.

• Salary resources: UIC does not currently publish a Communication-specific graduate salary figure on its official Communication career page. Students can use UIC's salary resources, including the NACE Salary Calculator, to compare salaries by degree, location, and career field.

• Long-term accreditation value: UIC's HLC institutional accreditation was reaffirmed in 2024 and is scheduled for its next comprehensive review in 2033–2034, supporting the institutional standing of the degree over the long term.

• Chicago professional environment: UIC describes its Communication graduates as entering careers across journalism, public relations, marketing, business, government, law, and consulting, including positions with Fortune 500 companies, Chicago organizations, and innovative start-ups.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BA, students can pursue UIC's MA in Communication, which offers study in areas including media studies and cultural diversity, or continue toward the PhD in Communication, with research strengths including communication technology, digital media, political communication, diversity and cultural studies, visual communication, and health communication.