Communication Studies Major
Program Overview
Table of Contents
What is a communication studies degree?
In communication studies, you will learn how to harness the power of communication to shape and lead the communities you serve. Students interested in sports, media, persuasion, groups and teams, and non-profit administration all find a place in Communication Studies. Our communication studies major is the broadest and most flexible of the three communication majors at Furman. Students who have varied interests often find they can develop the leadership skills and innovation practices.
Why choose Furman's communication studies major?
Communication Studies faculty believe in our students. We believe that students have the power to be impressive storytellers, fierce advocates, top spokespersons, and dynamic leaders. And we encourage students to outpace their own expectations of what the classroom looks like in college and beyond. Our approach to communication studies is designed to drive home deep communication theory through applied, experiential learning that makes communication principles come alive in the real world and propels students to contribute to, advocate for, and lead the communities they serve.
Plan a visit to Furman’s beautiful campus or apply now to Furman’s leading communication studies major program.
How will you learn?
Engaged learning takes our students beyond the classroom. We want you to experience it all in communication studies. Build strategy in giving and receiving a critique in public speaking and digital production. Explore cross-cultural communication in a study away program in Edinburgh or London, Rome or South Africa. Complete an internship in Greenville – a top 40 media market, and home to the most international business per capita of anywhere in the US. Follow your interests with a collaborative research project alongside your favorite faculty member. And apply your critical thinking and analytical skills to every facet of your life. Take your first steps by contacting admissions or reading more about how to apply.
Career opportunities for communication studies majors
Alumni of Communication Studies thrive in a variety of fields including advocacy (corporate, government, and non-profit administration); strategic communication (marketing, advertising, and public relations), media studies (journalism, media production, and media industries), sports, coaching and mentoring, fundraising and entrepreneurship, as well as law, education, sales, and business.
A communications studies major can prepare you for a career in:
- Public relations and brand strategy
- Meeting and event planning
- Media/social media management and strategy
- Human Resources
- Journalism
- Sports administration and coaching
- Sales
- Nonprofit Administration and fundraising
Courses you may take as a communication studies major
The following are examples of course from the media studies track and rhetoric & advocacy track, respectively:
Communications Studies Major Requirements
Communication Studies Major FAQ
Communication studies prepares graduates with the tools to thrive in a variety of fields in mass media and beyond, such as advertising and marketing, politics and law, television and film, and theatre arts. Furman graduates with a B.A. in communication studies have worked as marketers, public relations practitioners, customer service representatives, human resources professionals, lawyers and members of the media, according to an Emsi report.
Graduates with a communication studies B.A. earn an average of $45,800 a year, with potential wages of $86,8000, according to an Emsi report.
The communication studies B.A. program at Furman is a four-year program.
-
200+communication studies majors at Furman
-
24%of our alumni are now leaders and managers in business
-
1stMaster of Arts in Strategic Design in the world
What our students say
Our faculty
Your academic advisor will help you explore your passions, define your interests and achieve your goals. You’ll tap into a widespread network of community and alumni mentors to help you on your individual educational path – and to the opportunities at the end of it. Furman’s communication studies faculty represents decades of study and real-world expertise.
Selena Dickey
Brandon Inabinet
Cynthia King
Richard Letteri
Camille Lewis
John A. McArthur
Adam Richards
Mary Sturgill
Raiana de Carvalho
Andrew Moore
Janna Pennington
Timothy Piper
Zachary White
