Bachelor of Arts
Program Code: BA-AS
Major Code: COM

Communication Department
Buckham Hall B120
(716) 878-3606
communication.buffalostate.edu/

This major allows students much flexibility to tailor a program of theory-based and applied courses. It meets the needs of students preferring a generalist approach to communication, as well as for students seeking a more academic, less applied approach. Compare this major with journalism, media production, and public relations and advertising.

Career Opportunities

Students in Communication Studies prepare for careers in corporate communication, social media management, consulting, government careers, research, media analysis, lobbying, speechwriting, fundraising, event management, and other fields that require a liberal arts education enhanced with communication expertise. The major also provides a base for graduate education in communication, law, management, and other professional areas.

The profile of a successful communication studies graduate is a person with strong writing and speaking proficiency, keen ethical insight, competence in analyzing and thinking critically, and skill in working effectively both independently and in teams.

Academic Standards

Only grades of C or higher may be applied toward requirements for any communication degree; courses with lower grades must be repeated. Consistent with standards of the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the number of communication courses that students may take is capped, encouraging a broad-based liberal arts education. The department encourages students to take minors or second majors and requires evidence of an academic concentration or area of expertise outside the Communication Department.

Admissions Requirements

Incoming freshman and transfer students can declare the major.

See communication.buffalostate.edu for application forms and additional information, including a list of equivalent core courses at community colleges. Transfer students from two-year schools may apply only core courses toward this major for a maximum of 12 credits. Students generally require four semesters of study after completing communication core courses.

Program Requirements