Communication
Create effective messages across all forms of media.
From major corporations and sports teams to small nonprofits and government agencies, every industry needs employees with communication skills. The skills you learn in this program will make you a competitive candidate in a variety of fields and endeavors.
Gain an understanding of theory and practice
The study of communication is relevant to every industry and human endeavor, especially in today’s dynamic media environment enhanced with social and mobile capabilities. Our program combines the study of communication theory with the development of practical skills and a vibrant internship program, preparing you for a career or graduate school — whichever path you choose.
Build your portfolio through course projects
Your courses will afford you many opportunities to take an active role in developing your communication skills through special projects and on-campus media outlets. For example, you can:
- Produce your own radio show on iCLU
- Write articles and take photos for the award-winning newspaper, The Echo
- Produce and implement advertising and social media campaigns
- Broadcast and stream university sports events
Customize your academic journey
After developing a strong foundation in communication, you’ll be able to customize your education by taking communication courses that support your individual interest and closely align with your career goals.
At a Glance
Degree Type
Bachelor of Arts
Department
School/College
College of Arts and Sciences
Next Steps
Interested in this major? Here's what you can do next:
With challenging and relevant courses, outstanding faculty, small class sizes, and an emphasis on hands-on learning, the communication program will position you to succeed in your chosen career.
Program Details
Find out what it takes to earn a degree in communication and explore the courses.
Emphasis Areas
Customize this major to your interests by taking courses in an area of focus:
Film and Television Production
Gain hands-on digital media production skills. Students will learn to write, create, and edit digital media for TV, film, and radio while gaining a broader understanding of the larger social, political, and business contexts in which these media operate.
See descriptionHighlighted Courses
Get familiar with some of the courses you might take in this major.
COMM 311: Intercultural Communication
In a multicultural, globalized world, individuals often find themselves faced with challenging values, customs, practices and material situations. Students will understand and apply dimensions of culture and principles of intercultural communication at the level of organizations, social institutions, ethnic groups, and nations. Fulfills CORE 21 Global Perspectives requirement.
See descriptionCOMM 348: Website Design and Publishing
Learn to design, create and upload web sites for personal and professional use. Skills taught include mobile-friendly web site creation using raw HTML and CSS as well as WYSIWYG software. No programming experience required, basic familiarity with computers desirable.
See descriptionCOMM 405: Freedom of Communication
A study of the legal and ethical principles underlying freedom of expression and the limits placed on freedom of expression in the United States. Through examining leading U.S. court decisions, students will learn the broad principles and legal reasoning underlying First Amendment jurisprudence, including the legal, ethical, philosophical and political issues entailed in the rights of free expression.
See descriptionCOMM 407: Broadcast News Production
Create live news broadcasts every two weeks. Learn to write, shoot and edit news stories. In the class, you will be the producer, director and anchor for CLUTV news. Emphasis will be placed on advanced editing skills.
See descriptionCOMM 412: Entertainment Industry Marketing
Entertainment has become the dominant experience of consumers in a celebrity-driven culture. Technological innovations, including the Internet, social networking and mobile devices, have disrupted the entertainment industry. Students will examine these issues and develop skills and perspectives to evaluate marketing approaches in the entertainment industry.
See descriptionCOMM 481: Strategic Communication Campaigns
Students will apply and synthesize theories and principles of persuasion and advocacy in the research, execution, and assessment of strategic communication campaigns. Emphasis is placed on the importance of a coordinated effort integrating various strategic communication tools and practices.
See descriptionRecommended Minors
Want to add even more value to your degree? Consider one of these minors to gain a unique combination of skills and perspectives.
- Spanish Media
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sports Management
- English
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Lecturer
Professor
Professor
Professor
Professor
Professor
Professor and Chair of the Communication Department
Professor
Senior Adjunct Faculty Member
Adjunct Faculty Member
We offer hands-on opportunities that give you the freedom to explore your passion through real-world work and prepare for a fulfilling career.
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Learning in Action
The Communication Department trains students to produce various student media publications, including Cal Lutheran’s print and online student newspaper, The Echo, and its streaming radio station, iCLU Radio.
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Internships
Our students complete internships in a variety of different fields that lead to offers of permanent employment.
Organizations include:
- ABC, NBC, CNN, CBS, KTLA
- LA Rams, LA Chargers, LA Kings, and LA Clippers
- Disney
- Creative Artists Agency
- J.D. Power and Associates
- iHeartMedia
- SAGE Publications
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Honors Society
You can start growing your professional network by participating in the national communication honors society, Lambda Pi Eta.
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Professional Associations
The Cal Lutheran chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is a student-led organization devoted to helping students connect with other public relations and communications students and professionals. If you are interested in fields related to marketing, Cal Lutheran also offers a student chapter of American Marketing Association.
As a communication major I have had the opportunity to discover and pursue many avenues in my college career. I’ve been able to build skills that are specific to writing and reporting news, but I have acquired skills that can help me outside of journalism, such as in movie production, web design, research and more.
Alesandria Posada '16
Alesandria Posada '16
As a result of our internship programs, contacts in the professional world, robust alumni network, and support from our Career Services office, the placement rate for communication majors is quite strong. Recent graduates have taken rewarding jobs in a variety of fields, including market research, public relations and broadcasting.
Potential Careers
Media Programming Directors
Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.
See descriptionPublic Relations Specialists
Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.
See descriptionFundraisers
Organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.
See descriptionMarket Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.
See descriptionHuman Resources Specialists
Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.
See descriptionAgents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
Represent and promote artists, performers, and athletes in dealings with current or prospective employers. May handle contract negotiation and other business matters for clients.
See descriptionMarketing Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.
See descriptionSales Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.
See descriptionLooking for more career paths? Search these related areas to discover more options.
Employers
Graduates from this major have gone to work at:
- ABC Television
- City of Simi Valley
- Disney ABC Television Group
- E! Entertainment
- Edelman
- ESPN Radio
- L.A. Kings
- Fox Sports
- NBC Universal
- Sony Pictures
- Time Magazine
- The Walt Disney Company
- United Way
- Warner Brothers
Graduate Schools
Our alumni have pursued advanced degrees at:
- California State University, Northridge
- Columbia University School of Law
- Fashion Institute of Design
- George Washington University
- Liverpool Hope University
- London School of Economics
- Loyola Marymount University
- New York University
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology
- Pepperdine Law School
- University of Southern California
- University of California, Los Angeles
- University of Surrey (UK)
- University of California San Diego
The best part of the communication program was getting real experience in a journalism setting through The Echo newspaper. In addition to being a staff writer in 2014, I was the sports editor from 2014-2016, while also being the managing editor my senior year. This gave me valuable experience in managing a team of writers, coming up with creative story ideas, working under tight deadlines, and strict proofreading skills. Dr. Hettinga did a great job of allowing us to work independently while also providing guidance and help as necessary.
Ramsey Abushahla '16
Communication Major, Journalism Emphasis
Editor, Urban Pitch
This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Some occupations listed above may require a related graduate degree.
How We Prepare You for Success
We have 20,000+ employer contacts for jobs and internships, with over 200 listings posted each week.
Our excellent career counselors in the Career Services center will get in touch with you during your very first term on campus. They offer over 50 workshops each year on resume writing, interviewing, salary negotiations, applying to graduate schools, and other critical skills to help you begin your career successfully.
After you graduate from Cal Lutheran, you receive free access to Career Services for life, as a valued member of our alumni family.
of Cal Lutheran graduates find a job or enroll in graduate school within nine months
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