Communication Studies
Bachelor of Arts
Fall
- Core 101: GOA............ 0cr.
- Comm 101 (OC Flag) or Comm 123............ 3cr.
- English Composition or Rhetoric............ 3cr.
- Second Language Elective............ 3cr.
- Core 100: First-Year Seminar or Theo 111 Theological Fundations............ 3cr.
- Math 105 (Math at placement level) or Math 116 (Math Perspectives)............ 3cr.
Spring
- Core 102: GOA............ 0cr.
- Comm 101(OC Flag) or Comm 123............ 3cr.
- Historical Perspectives............ 3cr.
- Second Language Elective............ 3cr.
- Core 100: First-Year Seminar of Theo 111 Theological Foundations............ 3cr.
- Philosophy 100: Ethics as Introduction to Philosophy............ 3cr.
Fall
- Communications Arts Course............ 3cr.
- Creative Perspectives............ 3cr.
- Philosophy 200: Philosophical Perspectives............ 3cr.
- Social Science Elective............ 3cr.
- Quantitative Reasoning Flag............ 3cr.
Spring
- Communication 206: Writing Flag............ 3cr.
- English 205: Literature & the Moral Imagination............ 3cr.
- Theology Perspective (Theo 200+)............ 3cr.
- Scientific Perspectives............ 3cr.
- Natural Science Elective............ 3cr.
Fall
- Communication Arts Course............ 3cr.
- Communication Arts Course............ 3cr.
- Solidarity and Kinship Flag (Comm 323, 324 or other)............ 3cr.
- E/R & Focus Flag (Comm 477)............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
Spring
- Communication Arts Course............ 3cr.
- Communication Arts Course............ 3cr.
- Humanities Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
Fall
- Communication Arts Course............ 3cr.
- Communication Arts Course............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
Spring
- Communication Arts Course............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
The sample course sequence above illustrates class offerings for the Communication Studies major. Consult the official Xavier University course catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Exciting job opportunities
Communications Specialist, Content Coordinator, Freelance Graphic Designer, Marketing Coordinator, Public Relations Manager, Recruiter, Social Media Marketing Assistant
Alumni have gone on to work at
Procter & Gamble, ESPN, Fifth Third Bank, NCAA, Macy's, Amazon, Four Entertainment Group, Total Quality Logistics, Mercy Health, ABC
Organizational Communication (COMM 260)
This course offers a comprehensive examination of organization theories and essential concepts, providing a framework to address contemporary communication challenges. Delve into how these issues impact individual, group and organizational performance and effectiveness.
Persuasion (COMM 264)
This course empowers students as informed consumers of information, providing them with the tools to analyze, respond to and craft persuasive messages effectively. Through exploration of various organizational contexts such as politics, business, religion and advertising, students gain insight into the diverse strategies and techniques used to influence audiences.
Interpersonal Conflict Management (COMM 327)
In this course, students will delve into the intricate processes underlying conflict and gain insight into evaluating different conflict styles. Through exploration of various conflict management techniques, students will learn how to effectively navigate and resolve interpersonal conflicts within organizational settings.
Senior Seminar (COMM 469)
Integrate concepts and experiences throughout the communication studies major and liberal arts core to develop an original project for a real-world client with deliverables that are suitable for student portfolios.
The Advertising Club
The Advertising club, part of the nationally renowned American Advertising Federation (AAF), specializes in uniting creativity and advertising within the Xavier Community.
Business Leaders for Tomorrow
Members explore business processes firsthand by networking with and learning from various business leaders in Cincinnati and beyond. Events from past years have included trips to Silicon Valley and Chicago, job shadowing days and guest lecturers.
Film & Television Club
Members in this club produce a weekly news broadcast including a sports segment, with the entire show being produced by students.
Xavier Marketing Club
The Xavier Marketing Club is associated with the American Marketing Association. The club offers students the opportunity to gain a broader, realistic, more practically oriented exposure to marketing activities. The Marketing Club strives to improve each member's marketability in today's highly competitive job market.
Public Relations Student Society of America
This club focuses on career building skills such as networking, personal branding, campaign planning, fundraising, event planning, mentoring, and strategic community outreach.
Program Features
From inception to completion, you'll craft deliverables tailored to meet real-world client needs. By the time you graduate, you'll not only have a strong portfolio but also invaluable real-world experience to carry forward into your future career.
Learn from professors who are experts in their fields—from digital media ethics and strategic public relations to intercultural communication and rhetorical criticism—bringing real-world insights into every classroom.
As a vibrant hub for Fortune 500 companies, major media outlets and dynamic agencies, Cincinnati provides an extraordinary environment for communication students to gain practical experience
Rooted in Xavier's Jesuit tradition, our program emphasizes ethical communication practices, preparing you to be a responsible and compassionate leader in your chosen field.
Alumni Making an Impact
Leveraging P&G's influence as a force for good by ensuring efforts drive racial equity, gender equality and equal representation.
He started as a student content creator for Xavier Athletics, but his talent rocketed him to a full-time gig covering the Musketeers.
Maxberry created her own arts company focused on helping students of all ages grow through artistic expression.
Maxian’s research highlights how people connect with the media they consume. She studies media psychology, particularly the emotional ties individuals have to content.
Our department blog is your go-to source for the latest trends, student spotlights and faculty insights from Xavier's Communication Studies program.
FAQ
Our program prepares students for a dynamic career in the field of communications. Learn more.A degree in communication studies opens up a wide range of career opportunities. Here are some popular options:
Marketing and Advertising:
- Public Relations Specialist: Manage an organization's reputation and build relationships with the public.
- Marketing Coordinator: Assist with planning and executing marketing campaigns.
- Social Media Manager: Create and manage social media content for a brand or organization.
- Copywriter: Write persuasive and engaging content for advertisements, websites, and other marketing materials.
Media and Journalism:
- Journalist: Report on news stories and events for newspapers, magazines, or broadcast media.
- Editor: Oversee the content of publications or websites.
- Public Relations Specialist: Manage an organization's reputation and build relationships with the public.
- Content Creator: Produce videos, podcasts, or written content for online platforms.
Human Resources:
- Human Resources Specialist: Assist with recruitment, onboarding, and employee relations.
- Employee Relations Specialist: Handle employee concerns and conflicts.
- Training and Development Specialist: Develop and deliver training programs for employees.
- Effective Communication: This includes both verbal and written communication, as well as nonverbal cues.
- Critical Thinking: The ability to analyze information, evaluate arguments, and draw informed conclusions.
- Problem-Solving: The capacity to identify and address challenges in a systematic and creative manner.
- Adaptability: The flexibility to adjust to changing circumstances and new information.
- Interpersonal Skills: The ability to build and maintain relationships with others, including teamwork and collaboration.
- Research and Analysis: The skill of gathering, evaluating, and interpreting information from various sources.
- Public Speaking: The confidence and ability to deliver presentations to audiences of varying sizes.
- Cultural Awareness: Understanding and appreciating different perspectives and cultures.
- Technological Proficiency: Familiarity with various communication tools and platforms.
- Creative Thinking: The ability to generate innovative ideas and solutions.
Communication Studies Program at Xavier University
Communications Studies is an academic major with a long and proud tradition at Xavier University. The program, along with all programs within the Department of Communications, helps students understand many aspects of the human communication process. Basic skills in written and spoken communication receive emphasis in all four communication majors: advertising, communication studies, electronic media, and public relations. In order to complete all requirements for the degree, students should formally declare one of the four departmental majors by the end of their freshmen year
Xavier University’s College of Arts and Sciences challenges students to develop an integrated understanding of humanity, the world, and God by pursuing the questions raised in Xavier's core and departmental curricula. The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest college at Xavier University. The college provides an excellent liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition that prepares students for careers, professional or graduate school, and life in a global society.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."