Communication Studies, B.A.
The Communication Studies major equips you with the creative, flexible and practical skills you need to thrive in today’s fast-changing media and communication landscape. Whether you’re interested in digital storytelling, social media strategy, broadcasting, journalism or public relations, you’ll build a strong foundation that prepares you for careers across industries.
You’ll develop timeless skills in writing, speaking, editing and media production while also gaining expertise in digital platforms, social media and entrepreneurial approaches to communication—including the growing fields of content creation and social influence.
Through a core set of courses, you’ll explore the history of communication, the ethical responsibilities of communicators in the age of AI and the cultural impact of media. From there, you can shape your path with specialized courses in sports communication, design and branding, multimedia storytelling, website and social media management and more.
The result is a degree that prepares you for careers in broadcasting, journalism, advertising and public relations, while also giving you the creative versatility to pursue emerging opportunities in digital communication, advocacy and leadership for the public good. Many graduates also build on this foundation to pursue advanced study in fields such as law, business, and public policy.
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Take the next step toward completing your B.A. in Communication Studies degree at Lenoir-Rhyne University.
Get StartedTake the next step toward completing your Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies degree at Lenoir-Rhyne University.
Learning Outside the Classroom
Future employers and post-graduate schools will look at your entire undergraduate work both inside and outside the classroom. Take full advantage of all opportunities that are available to you at LR, including research, study abroad, internships, student activities and organizations.
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Internships & Practicums
You’ll gain practical, professional experience through both on-campus practicums and off-campus internships. Students in the program have interned with Lenoir-Rhyne Athletics, Hickory FC and other local sports teams producing social media content and video broadcasts. Others have reported for television stations in Charlotte, written for the “Hickory Daily Record,” worked on radio shows in Alaska and contributed to communication departments across the United States.
Courses in the communication studies major are combined with on-campus practicums and off-campus internships to provide practical, professional experience invaluable to you as you transition into the workforce.
Communication Internship
The communication internship gives you the chance to apply your skills in a professional environment. Supervised by both an organizational mentor and a faculty advisor, you’ll complete a minimum of 150 hours throughout the semester. Internship sites include digital and social media departments with sports teams, broadcasting networks, production firms, public relations agencies, corporations, nonprofits, and government organizations. You’ll work closely with the internship coordinator to plan and secure a placement that fits your interests and goals.
Communication Practicum
The communication practicum is an on-campus field experience that directly relates to your career interest. Site locations are designed to offer hands-on practice using a variety of skill sets in writing, videography, editing, social media and public relations, among others. You are required to complete a minimum of 50 hours within your chosen area.
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Student Opportunities
From your first year, you’ll have opportunities to gain hands-on experience and strengthen your education.
Lenoir-Rhyne Media Lab
Through the student-led media lab, you can publish original work such as news stories, photo essays, podcasts and other creative projects. You’ll contribute through reporting, writing, editing, photography and social media content creation.
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Student Activities & Organizations
Debate Team
Through LR’s award-winning Debate Team, you can develop strong skills in communications, public speaking and research while participating in competitive debate competitions throughout the region.
Communications Club
Students are encouraged to participate in the Communications Club, which offers workshops to enhance skills as well as field trips to explore career opportunities in the field.
Communication Honor Society
As students advance further into the major, academically qualified students are eligible for senior honor courses and membership in the Lambda Pi Eta (Upsilon Chi Chapter) National Communication Honor Society.
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While at Lenoir-Rhyne, I learned to accept and step up to challenges. As a student-athlete, I developed communication and leadership skills that prepared me for success in multiple arenas.
Career Opportunities
The communication studies program is designed to prepare you for a wide array of professional opportunities across contemporary media and corporate landscapes.
With a curriculum designed to furnish students with a “convergence’ of professional content and skills development, graduates will have opportunities in a wide range of careers where writing, communications, research, and creativity are valued. These options span across many mediums: print, radio, television and film—in any place where the skill of “telling the story” is needed or the production of the “story” is required.
Career opportunities span across the spectrum of news, sports, entertainment and culture. They include print, voice, photojournalism, social media, broadcasting technology and production; writing, editing and publishing; public relations and marketing; and research and consulting.
Major Requirements
At its core, Communication Studies is about storytelling-learning how to craft messages that move people, shape culture, and drive action. In this program, students build professional skills media strategy, written communication, digital and multimedia storytelling, public speaking, and ethical practice, They think critically about the legal, cultural, and technological forces-including AI-that are transforming today's communication landscape. Graduates leave prepared to use strategic communication to advance organizations, strengthen communities, and participate thoughtfully in public life..
Communication Studies is an ideal complement to other majors or minors. Students drawn to sports, business, political science, the arts, and more will find that this degree equips them with the flexibility to broaden their career options while grounding them in a sense of purpose and impact. Students graduate ready for today's fast-moving media landscape, prepared for jobs that don't even exist yet and equipped with the tools for building their personal brand and advocating for the causes that matter. This is more than a career-it's a path to make a difference in the world. The Communication Studies major earns a B.A. degree.
Honors
Students majoring in Communication Studies may apply to pursue program honors. To graduate with honors in Communication Studies, students must successfully complete COM 498 & COM 499 .
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General Education Requirements (37 hours)
Graduation Requirements (4 hours)
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Major Requirements (41 Hours)
Communication Studies Foundations (15 hours)Explore (Choose 6 hours)Create (Choose 9 hours)
- ART 205 - Photography I
- ART 422 - Graphic Design Studio
- COM 317 - Multimedia Storytelling
- COM 367 - Podcasting
- COM 405 - Public Relations Writing
- COM 434 - Advanced Topics in Communication Studies
- COM 442 - Communication and the Campaign
- COM 498 - Honors Research
- COM 499 - Honors Thesis or Project
- ENG 348 - Literary Magazine
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General Elective Credits
General Electives (38 hours) as needed to reach 120 hours overall.
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Total Credit Hours - Minimum 120 hours
On occasion, technical and/or program requirements may also meet specific General Education requirements. Please confer with your program advisor to determine which courses, if any, may be counted accordingly.
All bachelor's degree programs at Lenoir-Rhyne require at least 120 credit hours. If, in combination, General Education, technical, and program requirements do not generate at least 120 hours, additional credits must be completed to achieve 120 hours. These classes may be general electives, or a student may complete a minor or additional major.
Admission & Financial Aid
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Undergraduate AdmissionOur admission team is here to assist you in making the college search process as easy as possible. Our counselors are happy to provide the information and guidance you need to submit your application, apply for financial aid and scholarships, visit and tour our campus.
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Financial AidWe recognize that paying for college is a top concern for students and their families. Our financial aid staff is here to provide you with financial aid options and assistance to help you achieve your educational goals.
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