Communication Studies, B.A.

The communication studies major strives to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed for a number of careers in the fields of broadcast and electronic media, newspaper editorial and production, as well as advertising and public relations.

The major features a common core of courses to provide you with an understanding of both the history of the field and the ethical responsibilities of professional communicators in our society.

Foundational courses provide specific skills in writing, speaking, broadcasting, editing, production and group communication. You will have the opportunity to study editing and design, media law, media writing, website management and design as well as select from elective courses suited to your personal interests of study.

Request Information

Take the next step toward completing your B.A. in Communication Studies degree at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Take 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.

Internships & Practicums

Students in this program have interned in the communications department at Madison Square Garden in New York City, reported for TV stations in Charlotte, produced radio shows in Alaska, designed magazines in Chicago, managed foundations in Kansas City and more.

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 is an off-campus applied skills experience in a professional environment. Supervised by an organizational mentor, along with a faculty advisor, you are required to complete a minimum of 150 hours throughout the semester. Internship site locations include broadcasting networks (both television and radio), production firms, public relations firms, major service and manufacturing corporations, nonprofit organizations and government agencies. You work with an internship coordinator to plan and secure all experiences.

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.
Learn About Internships & Careers
Student Opportunities

There are also a number of activities within the communication program that provide you with the opportunity — as early as your freshman year — to gain valuable, hands-on experience and enhance your education.

LRN Monthly

Students have the opportunity to participate in the complete production of the campus, student-led multimedia newspaper through reporting, writing, editing, photography and/or layout and design.

WLRZ, FM 99.3 “The Lair” Radio Station

Through the campus radio station, you can gain firsthand experience working in radio technology and production, serving as an on-air personality and/or hosting your own programs and talk shows.

LRN TV Studio

Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the LRN TV Station allows you to gain experience in television production both behind and in front of the camera.
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.
View Student Activities & Organizations

The professors were amazing in supporting me while I worked to achieve my goals and earn my degree. They truly cared about me, and I wasn’t just a number or a seat in the classroom.

Emily Kiziah '20, Multimedia Communication

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

The communication studies major provides students with the knowledge and skills needed for careers in the fields of broadcast and electronic media as well as advertising and public relations.

Coursework provides an understanding of both the history of the field and the ethical responsibilities of professional communicators. Students develop skills in writing, speaking, broadcasting, editing, production, website management and design, and group communication. The Communication Studies major earns a B.A. degree.

Honors

Communication Studies majors may elect to pursue honors work with the approval of the Communication Studies faculty. Students majoring in Communication Studies who are judged qualified by the faculty may, upon invitation, elect to pursue honors work in the program. To graduate ''With Honors in Communication Studies,'' students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, a minimum major GPA of 3.2, and complete twelve credits of honors courses in the major area, including COM 499 .

General Education Requirements (37 hours)

Graduation Requirements (4 hours)

General Education Requirements
Major Requirements (42 Hours)
Majors must earn a grade of C/2.0 or better in all COM requirement courses below.
Discover (12 hours)
Explore (Choose 9 hours)
Create (Choose 9 hours)
Apply (12 hours)
- COM 460 - Senior SeminarMust earn a minimum C-/1.7
- COM 465 - Senior Capstone Experience
- FAC 305 - Practicum
- FAC 410 - Creative Futures
- FAC 490 - Internship
General Elective Credits

General Electives (37 hours) as needed to reach 120 hours overall.
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

A hand places a jar of peanut butter on a shelf in the LR food pantry.

Feed the Bears

On average, food insecurity affects around one-third of all college students nationwide. At Lenoir-Rhyne, the campus and community are uniting to ensure no Bear goes hungry.

Lizbeth Santibanez works at a table surrounded by books in Rudisill Library

Refuge and support in the library

Lizbeth Santibanez ’24, M.S. ’26 came to the library for a quiet place to study. She found a job, a circle of friends and an unexpected career direction.