Undergraduate Communication Studies

Campus

A degree in Communication Studies unlocks an exciting world of opportunities. Students delve into the science and art of message creation, influence, and impact, examining how communication fundamentally shapes our personal, professional, and public lives. Students can tailor their studies to align with their passions and goals by either pursuing a general Communication degree or selecting one of three emphasis areas: (1) Communication, Health, and Well-Being, (2) Diversity, Culture, and Global Communication, and (3) Communication, Public Advocacy, and Civic Engagement.  Along the way, students develop critical skills in advocacy, negotiation, and relationship-building—abilities that are highly valued in our interconnected world. This rewarding experience not only prepares students with essential communication competencies but also prepares them for thriving careers where they can make a difference in any context they choose!

More about the undergraduate major

Emphasis Areas

Students can choose to take courses across the department or select an optional emphasis area to tailor their degree:

Exciting Course Options

Students choosing to major in Communication Studies will have the opportunity to take classes across our three primary areas of emphasis. Some example courses include:

Public Advocacy and Civic Engagement

  • COMM 312 Argumentation
  • COMM 330 Freedom of Speech 
  • COMM 333 Rhetoric of the American Presidency 
  • COMM 372 Communication and Leadership
  • COMM 375 Theories of Persuasion
  • COMM 386 Organizational Communication
  • COMM 400 Rhetorical Theory
  • COMM 440 Rhetoric of Sports and Games
  • COMM 482 Voices of Dissent and Activism

Health and Well-Being

  • COMM 315 The Empathy Project
  • COMM 354 Health Communication
  • COMM 370 Family Communication
  • COMM 371 Communication, Conflict, and Negotiation
  • COMM 373 Narratives and Health
  • COMM 374 Mental Health Communication
  • COMM 456 Communicating Global Health
  • COMM 464 Communication and Consent
  • COMM 471 The Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication

Diversity, Culture, and Global Communication

  • COMM 311 Intercultural communication
  • COMM 335 Rhetorics of Race and Empire
  • COMM 357 Paranoia and Polarization in Digital Culture
  • COMM 360 Intergroup Dialogue
  • COMM 365 Indigenous Communication
  • COMM 380 Gender and Communication
  • COMM 462 Feminist Media Studies
  • COMM 465 Communication and Social Identity
  • COMM 482 Voices of Dissent and Activism

Experiential Learning Opportunities

In the department of Communication Studies, we know that experience matters. That’s why our approach to teaching includes hands-on, in-class activities and robust discussions – we want our students applying what they are learning.

In addition to our approach to teaching and learning across our classes, we have created several ways for students to gain experience outside the classroom:

Research: 

Internships:

  • Peer Coach in Center for Communication Excellence 
  • Social Media Intern 
  • Take CASC 395 for up to 3 COMM credits 

Leadership and/or Service:

  • Join our Undergraduate Advisory Board 
  • Become Undergraduate Representative on Department Committees

Education Abroad:

  • We partner with Nebraska Abroad!
  • Faculty led classes abroad, Summer 2025: Dr. Jody Koenig Kellas, COMM 373 in Ischia, Italy

Experiential Learning (EL) designated courses:

  • COMM 310 Communication and Mentorship
  • COMM 315 The Empathy Project
  • COMM 360 Intergroup Dialogue

Alumni Careers

Graduates from our program have an outstanding job placement rate after graduation in careers – and we have graduates working across all sectors in all kind of positions making an impact. Here are just a few examples:

Industries and Positions

Banking and Finance
Underwriter, Financial  Advisor, Insurance Careers

Business
Human Resources, Recruitment, Project Manager

Education
Program Coordinator, Diversity and Community Outreach Coordinator, Fulbright Fellow

Government
Assistant City Manager, Lincoln City Council, Manager of Policy and Advocacy

Healthcare
Healthcare Administration, Healthcare Practitioner, Medical Recruiter

Hospitality
Hotel Support Specialist, Travel Professionals, Lead Catering Coordinator

Human Services
Director, Global Project Development, Family Support Partners, Community Wellness Coordinator

Marketing
Social Media Specialist, Marketing Assistant, Event Organizer

Sales
Account manager, Sales Associate, Healthcare Sales

Organizations

J.P. Morgan
Pinterest
Olsson
Lincoln Chamber of Commerce
Ameritas
Lincoln Financial Group
Operation Smile
Nebraska Medicine
Stryker

Nebraska Court of Appeals
Epic
Fidelity Investments
Ambridge Hospitality
Wellness Edge
Assurity
United States Court of Appeals
American Cancer Society
Nebraska Supreme Court

Every Nation
FedEx
KPMG
Robinhood
U.S. Navy
LinkedIn
Gallup
Intuit
Darby

Cedars
Charles Schwab
Hudl
Amazon
Tenneco
University of Nebraska Public Policy Center
Workforce Science Associates
Friendship Home