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You may have heard about communication studies as a major, but what exactly does this field encompass? From public speaking to social media to emailing, our lives are dependent on communication. Despite sounding like a rather broad program, at YSU you can choose one of four specific tracks to tailor your study to your passions. This major is a great fit for individuals who are interested in social or digital media, journalism, public relations, marketing, or any similarly adjacent fields. If any of these paths sound appealing to you, keep reading to find out more!
Communication studies intertwines social sciences and humanities, and as an academic discipline it refers to the study of how information is conveyed among people, groups, organizations and societies. While often overlooked, communication is a vital part to any organization or company. Internal communications such as emails, interviews and calls are all important factors to keep an organization running smoothly. Likewise, more external forms of communication like marketing, advertisement and media relations contribute equally to an organization’s success.
Of course, that’s just the simplified version- if you’re intrigued, keep reading to see if this major suits you and your career goals!
Being a relatively broad and flexible degree, communication studies can be well suited to many different individuals. However, some traits that may indicate success within this program include strong reading, writing, and public speaking skills. Additionally, this degree involves both qualitative and quantitative research curriculum, so an inclination towards research planning and data analysis will be useful. Since this field can branch off in various directions when it comes to career tracks, there are plenty of opportunities to tailor this degree to your specific passions and interests.
The answer to this question will depend on the school, since institutions differ when it comes to specific curriculum and course learning outcomes. Courses that most communication students will enroll in include general education requirements (such as mathematics and writing). At YSU, you will also take communication theory, social media literacy, interpersonal communication, among other classes. There will be emphasis on writing, research methods, sociology concepts, and different communication theories and their applications.
At YSU, it will also depend on what track you choose to major in. You can decide amongst Media, Persuasion, Social Media, and Interpersonal/Organizational concentrations. The core foundational courses for each track are similar, but their respective specialized courses differ. For example, if you choose Media as your major track, your course load during the first few semesters will look similar to the other concentrations. However, your last few semesters will start to lean heavily into upper level media specific courses, such as media analysis and social media campaigns. Each of the four tracks offered at YSU will wrap up student learning with a senior project in your last semester, which is a culmination of all your acquired skills throughout your program.
There is also always the option to further your education by obtaining a Masters Degree. At YSU, we offer a Master of Arts in Professional Communication. This degree will build on a lot of your undergraduate coursework, with added emphasis on research methods, analysis, media persuasion, as well as communication theories and their relevant applications. This degree also gives students two choices to round out their studies- a thesis option or a capstone option. The thesis route will require a research study on an applied communication topic alongside an oral presentation of your findings. A thesis differs from a capstone as it relies heavily on the student’s research to create new knowledge in the field or argue a hypothesis. Meanwhile, a capstone project typically relies on existing knowledge to investigate a current field-relevant problem. The capstone route is similar, as it also requires a research study with an oral presentation, but students will also have an internship to complete. This route is a great option for those who are looking to gain valuable hands-on experience and build their resume.
After graduation, you could apply for any number of career opportunities with a communications degree. Your major track will definitely influence which area of communication jobs you are best suited for, but an example of common jobs for graduates include business reporter, copywriter, social media or content marketing manager, event planner, journalist, news anchor, human resources manager, and more.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected outlook of media and communication occupations from 2021-2031 shows continuous growth. Additionally, as of 2021, the median annual salary for this field was over $16,000 higher than the median annual salary of all other occupations. Overall, this is a field full of opportunity, and a degree in communications is definitely a valuable investment!
Regardless of your reason behind pursuing a business major, there are plenty of resources to help you succeed- both in school and as a postgraduate exploring career options. If this field seems like it might be the right choice for you, feel free to check out the Williamson College of Business Administration. Here, you can check out business related student organizations, study abroad opportunities, further explore our list of majors, talk to current students, and get the inside scoop on internships and career opportunities!
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Tuition and fees may vary by major, college, area of study or based on your location. The university reserves the right to assess fees for special services and programs applicable to students. First-time International undergraduate students’ tuition rate is established based on first enrollment and remains unchanged for four consecutive years. Graduate students should plan for a yearly tuition increase of approximately 5%.
For a complete list of additional fees and detailed tuition information please visit the University Bursar website here.
Cost of the most popular room and meal plan combination; Your cost will depend on the plans you select. Costs in the box cover the most popular room and meal plan combination (on-campus); If you choose to live off-campus, the estimated cost of room and meals will be around $12,000 based on 12 months.
Based on average books & supply costs
Health insurance is required for international students.
Applicants must have graduated from high school or have successfully completed the General Education Development (GED) test to be considered for admission. Freshman applicants applying for admission to Youngstown State University must submit a high school transcript or GED transcript. Submission of American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores is optional. Please note: some majors require test scores to be admitted into the program.
Applicants must have a cumulative weighted high school grade point average of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) or higher, a core unweighted grade point average* of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) or higher and have an ACT composite score of 17 or higher or a SAT composite score of 920 or higher (evidence-based writing and reading and math) to be admitted unconditionally. (*Core gpa is calculated based on grades earned in the following courses – English, mathematics, science, social science and foreign language, if applicable, from 9th through 12th grade).
Fall 2024
application deadline is
August 1, 2024
