In communication studies, we prepare students to lead lives of purpose through study in the humanities, media, rhetoric, and advocacy.
A communication studies degree offers students who aspire toward each of these six fields a purposeful pathway to success. To build a firm foundation for this work, Communication Studies combines the study in the humanities and mass communication with opportunities to speak, advocate, persuade, and create your own media portfolio. Students learn and work with numerous digital platforms while developing critical thinking skills to prepare them to be active citizens, industry leaders, and media pioneers.
Advocacy
Advocacy has many forms in corporate communication, government affairs, and non-profit administration. Our students who develop their voices for advocacy learn to examine rhetoric, build audiences, utilize persuasion, and craft messages to better the communities they serve. Students in this focus area complete the Communication Studies major in Strategic Communication & Advocacy. Often, they pair this major with a minor in a community of impact, such as Poverty Studies, Africana Studies, Urban Studies, or Medicine, Health, & Culture, or even a second major.
Marketing & Strategic Communication
Strategic communication includes the fields of marketing, public relations, advertising, and event planning. Graduates in this area discover careers as public relations professionals, creatives, communication strategists, and designers. Majors exploring careers in this focus area often complete the major in Strategic Communication & Advocacy paired with a minor in visual strategy.
Journalism & Media Production
Courses in media storytelling, journalism, and mass communication launch students into careers as media makers and media industry leaders. Our alumni have found success as digital content producers, news anchors, NPR correspondents, sports broadcasters, television and radio personalities, film critics, and journalists. Students in this focus area complete the Communication and Media Studies major and often pair this major with a minor in journalism or film studies.
Coaching, Sports, & Mentoring
Our alumni who become professional educators, coaches, and mentors hone their learning in interpersonal communication, group and team dynamics, and civic communication processes. As our faculty mentors advise students in this area, we pay close attention to suggesting courses that build each student’s repertoire in creativity, listening, leadership, and relational communication. Courses in this focus area are found in the Communication Studies major.
This carousel is presenting alumnus.
This carousel is presenting alumnus.
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"Having the flexibility to set my hours around my class schedule has been a tremendous help, giving me the time and structure I need to stay on track with my courses. I’m able to successfully balance school and work thanks to the supportive environment I work within."
Ashlyn
Horton, '25
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"I chose to be a Communication Studies major because I feel like this major uses all of my strong points to connect to people. My voice matters."
Cole
Neely, '21
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"Pathways and my Pathways mentor taught me how to be a student and build good study habits, and encouraged me to reach my full potential. I feel confident and prepared to take on any challenge and make the most of my education."
Delilah
Evelyn , '2023
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"Pathways is a unique program that helps students learn how to be a better version of themselves in order to succeed at Furman. Each of the modules contains a lot of lessons for students reflect on and apply to their daily schedules, making it very easy to understand and helpful in the long term."
Srikar
Alapati '23, Chemistry major, Former Pathways Student, Future Pathways Peer Mentor
Fundraising, Consulting, & Entrepreneurship
Our graduates who become professional persuaders learn to develop their confidence and skills in the communication arena while pairing their studies with majors like Business, Accounting, Economics, or Politics & International Affairs, Religion, or a major in a foreign language. Communication Studies majors with these aspirations often double major and we've designed the major to be flexible and adaptable to partnerships with other great programs at Furman - so students can forge their own paths.
Graduate Study
Some of our majors continue their education in graduate school. Among the most popular options for Communication Studies alumni are Law School, Communication and related fields, Sports Administration, and Furman's own programs in Strategic Design or Advocacy & Equity Studies.
