Communication Studies
The Nebraska Difference
Curiosity
Discover what moves you with a variety of academic disciplines.
Flexibility & Choice
Customize your degree with course choices. Add a minor or second major.
Hands-On Experience
Build knowledge, skills and experience in and out of the classroom.
Limitless Career Paths
Connect your major, interests and goals to any field.
Program Features
Focus and Range
Communication is a critical skill for professional, personal and public life. Dive deep into your major while taking a wide variety of courses across all areas in the College of Arts and Sciences. Graduate academically well-rounded and eager to keep learning. Use your collaboration and communication skills to address complex problems and make a positive impact professionally and personally.
1-to-1 Academic Advising and Career Coaching
Along with your faculty, professional academic advisors and career coaches will help you make a one-of-a-kind degree plan. We are focused on your success, while at Nebraska and after graduation, whether your goal is employment or graduate/professional school.
Why Communication Studies?
Communication indicates the strength and well-being of communities, and those who study and master its complexities lead the way.
Notable Courses
The Empathy Project (COMM 315)
Explores empathy as a communicative process focusing on strategies for cultivating and communicating empathy in self, others and across difference.
Paranoia and Polarization in Digital Culture (COMM 357)
Examines the social and political implications of new forms of digital communication including memes, algorithms, bots, artificial intelligence, image boards and social networking.
Dialogue Across Difference (COMM 360)
Overview of processes for developing, facilitating and evaluating dialogue across difference. Includes semester-long engagement in intergroup dialogue.
Mental Health Communication (COMM 374)
Examination of how mental health is talked about in self-talk, relationships, organizations, communities and policies and how this relates to attitudes and behaviors.
Communicating Global Health (COMM 456)
Explores global health messages, campaigns and interventions. Focus on critical cultural, public health, participatory and development communication, and colonialism as it relates to global health.
Voices of Dissent and Activism (COMM 482)
Explores advocacy of groups seeking social and political change outside mainstream political institutions. Analysis of social protest rhetoric (e.g., letters, manifestos, speeches, performance and artwork).
Huskers Do Big Things
Internships
- Client Services Intern, Steinkulher Financial
- Communications and graphic design intern, Nebraska Catholic Conference
- Tourism intern, Visit Nebraska
- Digital marketing intern, Sweety High
- Public relations intern, Advanced Chiropractic Solutions
Careers
- Director, Global Project Development
- Strategic Communication Coordinator
- Family Support Partner
- Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
- Marketing Specialist
- Certified Health and Wellness Coach
Graduate Schools
- Master of Public Policy, Harvard University
- Master of International Affairs, Human Rights, and Humanitarian Policy, Columbia University
- Master of Business Administration, Harvard University
- Juris Doctor, Yale Law School
- Ph.D. in Communication Studies, University of South Florida
Outside the Classroom
Depending on your major, interests and goals, you can choose to do research, work as an intern, study abroad, become a leader or serve your community. The university’s Experiential Learning requirement ensures you have at least one of these transformative learning experiences; students in the College of Arts and Sciences typically complete at least two.
Get involved in one of the faculty-led research labs, or design your own research project through the Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experience (UCARE) program.
Explore a wide variety of local, national and international internships. Connect with our career coaches to identify opportunities and document the skills and experience you gain on the job.
Join other students in Italy to learn about storytelling and well-being or Northern Ireland to study conflict. You can also connect with our Global Experiences Office to find more opportunities.
Join the department’s Student Advisory Board or get involved in one of the 540+ student organizations available at Nebraska.
Featured Faculty
Casey Ryan Kelly, Professor of Rhetoric and Public Culture
Dr. Kelly researches the rhetoric of the U.S. far right, primarily through the lens of psychoanalytical theory. He also serves as Editor of the Quarterly Journal of Speech.
Academics & Experiential Learning
- Our motto is Academics + Experience = Opportunities. Employers and graduate/professional schools are looking for students who have a strong academic background and hands-on experience.
- Communication studies majors regularly engage in research or internships, and many study abroad or get involved in service or leadership on campus and beyond.
Career Preparedness
- COMM 286: Business and Professional Communication. Develop verbal and listening skills, oral presentation techniques, small group problem solving/leadership, interviewing and organizational communication.
- CASC 200: Career Development in Arts and Sciences. Explore your interests, abilities and values while identifying career options and preparing to apply for internships, jobs or graduate/professional school.
Community
- Participate in the Cornhusker Speech and Debate Team, which has claimed the Big Ten Conference title seven years in a row.
- Serve on the Communication Studies Student Advisory Board, research teams, COMMunity nights, alumni panels and more!
Have Questions? We're Here to Help
If you have questions about the Communication Studies major or navigating the application process, contact us.
- Contact Name
- Nicholas Gordon
- Contact Title
- Director of Recruitment
- Phone
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