BA / BS Communication

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Utah

Program Overview

The University of Utah’s Communication BA/BS gives students the flexibility to build a career-focused degree around Strategic Communication, Journalism, Communication Studies, or Science, Health, Environmental, and Risk Communication, combining communication theory with practical technical skills. Students strengthen writing, speaking, visual, digital, and research abilities while developing a portfolio and choosing courses that match their professional goals.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: Students establish a strong communication foundation through courses such as COMM 1020 – Principles of Public Speaking, COMM 1130 – Media Writing, COMM 1270 – Analysis of Argument, and COMM 1500 – Media and Society. These courses develop effective speaking, writing, argumentation, and an understanding of how media operates within society.

Year 2: Students move into communication skills and methods, building a stronger understanding of how communication is researched and applied. Depending on their chosen emphasis, students can begin developing specialist skills through courses such as COMM 2580 – Introduction to Strategic Communication, COMM 3550 – Principles of Visual Communication, or emphasis-specific coursework in journalism and communication studies.

Year 3: Students progress into advanced, emphasis-specific study and begin connecting communication concepts with professional practice. Options include COMM 1535 – Basic Digital Photo, COMM 3510 – Web Design & Content Strategy, COMM 3560 – Video Production I, COMM 3700 – Qualitative Communication Research, and COMM 3710 – Intro to Quantitative Comm Research.

Year 4: The final year focuses on advanced electives, professional application, and capstone-level work. Students may complete COMM 3610 – Internship, COMM 4999 – Honors Thesis/Project, COMM 5920 – PR Agency, or COMM 5930 – PR Agency — Absolute Comm, depending on their emphasis and academic plan.

Focus Areas:

Strategic Communication, Journalism, Communication Studies, Science/Health/Environmental/Risk Communication, public relations, advertising, integrated marketing, digital media, media writing, visual communication, research, persuasion, journalism, health communication.

Learning Outcomes:

Effective written, oral, visual, digital and mobile communication; evidence-based argumentation; ethical communication; understanding of difference and identity; analysis of social, historical, legal, environmental and economic contexts; advanced knowledge within the chosen emphasis.

Professional Alignment:

The program is designed around professional communication skills and portfolio development for careers in media, advertising, public relations, marketing, journalism, organizational communication and related fields. The current official program pages do not state a separate program-specific professional accreditation for the Communication BA/BS.

Reputation:

The University of Utah Department of Communication was ranked #29 globally and #17 in the U.S. in the 2024 ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects for Communication, placing it among the university’s strongest-ranked academic programs. The department also reports nearly 1,200 undergraduate majors and strong research recognition across communication fields.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students can move beyond classroom theory through internships, professional projects, student media, production facilities, research opportunities, and portfolio-building experiences. The Department of Communication is housed in the Languages and Communication Building, which includes a telecommunication studio, audio-visual production labs, multimedia design labs, and technology-enhanced active-learning spaces.

Students can develop practical communication skills through:

• COMM 3610 – Internship: Earn academic credit while applying communication skills in a current professional internship under the guidance of a workplace supervisor.

• Absolute Communication: Work in a student-run advertising and public relations agency, collaborating in teams on real campaigns for real clients and producing professional deliverables.

• Real Client Projects: Absolute Communication students have worked with organizations including BMW Murray, Zions Bank, KUER, Sweet Candy Co., and the University of Utah, gaining experience in brand strategy, advertising, social media, PR and market research.

• Telecommunication Studio: Gain access to a dedicated communication environment for developing media and production skills.

• Audio-Visual Production Labs: Build practical production experience using university facilities designed for communication and media work.

• Multimedia Design Labs: Develop visual and multimedia communication skills that complement coursework in photography, web design, video production and visual communication.

• The Daily Utah Chronicle: Participate in independent student journalism; the publication employs more than 100 students in part- and full-time positions during the academic year.

• Student Media Opportunities: Students can explore opportunities with K-UTE radio, Wasatch Magazine, AdThing and other student-led media organizations.

• Digital Production Skills: Courses such as Basic Digital Photo, Web Design & Content Strategy, Video Production I, Visual Design & Editing, and Introduction to Podcasting provide hands-on media skills.

• Career & Internship Tools: Students can use Handshake to search for internships and jobs while receiving personalized career coaching focused on resumes, interviews, networking and career planning.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Communication BA/BS prepares graduates for diverse roles across strategic communication, journalism, marketing, media, public relations, content and organizational communication. University career resources and department-specific experiences help students connect their coursework with internships, professional networks and employment opportunities.

Typical career options: Communications Specialist, Content Strategist, Marketing Coordinator, Public Relations Coordinator

Students can build their career through:

• Career Coaching: Dedicated Communication career coaches help students explore careers, identify internships, strengthen resumes, prepare for interviews and connect with organizations in media, marketing, PR, journalism and corporate communication.

• Employment Outcomes: Communication majors experienced a 20% increase in average salary to $55,185 from May 2022 to May 2023, alongside growth in paid internship opportunities.

• Employer Connections: The department connects students with professional environments through internships, student media, client-based projects and organizations across advertising, PR, marketing, journalism and media.

• Industry-Relevant Portfolio: Professional projects through Absolute Communication and other practical courses allow students to graduate with tangible work demonstrating communication, campaign, media and creative skills.

• Long-Term Value: The degree develops transferable communication, writing, research, digital-media and strategic-thinking skills that can support career progression across multiple industries rather than limiting graduates to one occupation.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into advanced study in areas such as Communication, Journalism, Media and Communication, Strategic Communication, Public Relations, Health Communication, Rhetoric, and related humanities or social-science disciplines. The University of Utah itself offers MA/MS and PhD-level Communication study, with graduate areas including Communicating Science, Health, Environment and Risk; Critical/Cultural Studies; Media, Journalism and Technology; and Rhetoric.