About

Most employers list “good communication skills” as a requirement for employment, which is why the Communication Studies (BS) degree at Appalachian State University prepares students to enter many different professions. This major educates students in different theories and practical applications of communication skills – such as interpersonal communication, small group communication, public speaking, nonverbal communication and persuasion. Communication Studies also makes an excellent pre-law, pre-seminary or pre-graduate school program.

This degree is structured by theme, yet remains flexible enough to allow students to tailor their courses to their specifics needs. For example, a student could choose to study political communication or organizational communication as part of this major. Students can also work with the Department of Communication’s internship coordinator to find a related internship host site and complete requirements to earn class credit.

After Graduation

Employers: Graduates have gone on to work in communication consulting, environmental advocacy, human resources, political campaigns, non-profit social service organizations, recreation and health care management, and crisis communication consulting.

Graduate School: This degree serves as a solid background for many graduate school degrees including law school and seminary. Students often continue their studies at UNC Charlotte or University of Georgia.

Career Exploration website

People

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  Faculty Profile: Dr. Chris Patti

  “I bring in my personal history, stories and interests and I think the students respond to making the class a personal space.”

  - Dr. Chris Patti, assistant professor

  Meet more faculty

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  Alumna Profile: JoCinda Benjamin ’94

  Benjamin’s communication studies major led to positions in Charlotte as a news writer for a television station and events director and promotion director for top-rated radio stations. Now, she owns a company that provides concierge services to parents of child performers in Hollywood.

Related Programs

• Advertising (BS)
• Electronic Media/Broadcasting (BS)
• Digital Journalism (BS)
• Public Relations (BS)

Minors

A minor is required. Popular minors include:

• Marketing
• Business
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Political Science
• English

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

• Appalachian Communicators - a student club for Communication Studies majors
• Intercollegiate debate team - open to all majors
• AppSpeaks - a student club for campus debate and discussion
• Socrates’ Café - part of the on-campus debate/discussion program
• Student Media Showcase - a section of the Department of Communication that highlights student writing, photography, videography and audio work from in-class and extracurricular opportunities.
• National Conference for Undergraduate Research - a national conference held annually at which students are selected to present research.
• Carolinas Communication Association - sponsors the Jarrard undergraduate paper competition.
• Southern States Communication Association - sponsors the Clevenger Undergraduate Honors Conference.
• Celebration of Research and Creative Endeavors - a day at Appalachian devoted to student research, showcasing research in all disciplines by undergraduate and graduate students.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

The Department of Communication has study abroad opportunities in Poland, Belize and Armenia.

Admission Requirements

A cumulative 2.5 GPA based on earned semester hours at App State is required prior to declaring the Communication Studies major.