Our communications degree is a broad-based liberal arts program balancing theory and practice that offers the option of a minor or major in communications. If you participate in our well-rounded communication studies program you’ll develop the critical skills you need to be an:

  • Effective communicator
  • Ethical leader
  • Innovative media practitioner

Throughout your studies, you’ll develop valuable and in-demand soft skills like critical thinking, problem solving, oral performance, relational interaction, and cultural communication. You’ll also develop exceptional hard skills in media and message design. This will position you to find a rewarding and well-compensated job after graduation.

The Dominican University communications studies program has a direct connection to several of our other programs, including business, English, criminal justice, and political science, but you’ll have the opportunity to pursue any other minor or major that piques your interest to develop a specialization that will increase your earning potential.

Throughout your time here, you’ll have the opportunity to work closely with our Communication Studies faculty, conducting research, developing independent projects, and building relationships with internal and external constituents. And if you achieve a GPA of at least 3.25, you may be invited into Lambda Pi ETA, our honor society.

Of course, a university isn’t just about academics, so you’ll also have the opportunity to join clubs and societies that meet your interests, or enjoy our exceptional athletic program.

So, if you’re interested in pursuing a career in media or developing the excellent communications skills that will enable you to excel in any other field, our communications studies degree will help you stand out from the crowd and land your dream job.

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A communication studies degree that will help you become a leader in any industry

The highest levels of personal support

Staff who are committed to your success

The finest small-university athletic program in the region

A spirited campus environment

Close proximity to New York City and three major airports

The Dominican Difference

It doesn’t matter who you are, it doesn’t matter what sport you play, or what club you’re in, everyone in this school is a family and we all love to live together and be a part of this campus.

Jonathan Brown, ’14

15,000
Alumni

76
Full-time Faculty

17
Miles from NYC

100% of First-Time,
Full-Time Freshman Receive Financial Aid

Job Opportunities

Students who major in communications often find jobs in diverse fields such as business, sales, marketing, media, public relations, advertising, TV, radio, and organizational leadership. 

Here are just some examples of the kinds of roles you will be qualified for upon completing a minor or major in communications:

  • Marketing Director
  • Video Editor
  • Media Control Operator
  • Journalist
  • Public Relations Manager
  • Communications Strategist
  • Brand Manager
  • Vice President of Marketing

What You’ll Learn

Throughout your IT degree, you’ll learn core ‘hard skills’ like hardware, software, programming, network management and design, and database management. And you’ll get the opportunity to take liberal arts courses that relate to the industry you’d like to specialize in, so you can better understand the businesses you wish to work within. We’ll also help you develop the in-demand ‘soft skills’ that will set you apart from other IT graduates, helping you secure your dream jobs.

You’ll also learn more advanced IT skills when you choose your concentration. We offer concentrations in application development (e.g. for budding app developers) and IT infrastructure (e.g. to equip you to manage IT infrastructure for large corporations).

Above all, you’ll learn how to use information technology to make the world a better place.

Degree Details


Tuition

The cost of attendance is an estimate of what it will cost to attend Dominican University for an academic year.

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Curriculum

Course structure

All students undertaking our communication studies program may choose to major or minor in communication studies.

If you choose the major, you will complete 36 credits — several required courses plus five courses in one track and at least one course in the other track. The required courses are:

  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Gender Communication
  • Persuasion and Argumentation
  • Communication Theory
  • A three-credit Senior Research Seminar

If you choose the minor, you will complete 18 credits — two required courses plus one course from each track and two electives. 


Concentrations

When you choose our communication studies program, you can choose one of two tracks:

  • Media Communication — This includes Introduction to New Media, Video Production, Digital Media, Visual Communication, Journalism, Critical Analysis of the Media, Mass Communication, and more
  • Organizational Communication and Leadership — This includes Business and Global Communication, Public Relations, Communicating Change, Crisis Communication, Leadership, Social Media Marketing, and more.

We’ll also encourage and support you to apply for an internship, and we’ll suggest you develop a minor in another academic area as that’s a great way to develop a specialization.

Upon graduation you could continue your studies and earn a Master of Science in Organizational Communication and Leadership at the College.


Department Staff

Andrew Burns B.A., M.A.T., Ed.D.

Andrew Burns B.A., M.A.T., Ed.D.

Assistant Professor of Communication Studies

AnnMarie DiSiena, B.A., M.A., Ed.D.

AnnMarie DiSiena, B.A., M.A., Ed.D.

Associate Professor of Communication Studies, and Coordinator of the Communication Studies Program

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