Communication
Bachelor of Arts
Learn to deliver effective messaging across all forms of media.
The skills you’ll develop will be relevant in every industry and endeavor.
Gain strong research skills
Your studies will start with a foundation in communication theory, mass media history, and story writing. You’ll perform research about topical issues in order to critically evaluate the messages and effects of modern communication.
Individualize your degree
You’ll focus on the area of communication that most closely aligns with your goals by choosing one of several concentrations. You can also pursue a general communication degree combined with courses in other subjects related to your career objective, such as political science.
If marketing is your field of interest, you may want to consider a degree in marketing communication.
Start doing real work as part of your classes
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 for the award-winning Echo newspaper
- Produce and implement a real advertising campaign
- Broadcast and stream university sports events
- Write, direct, and produce a student film
Join a professional community
Networking will be an important part of your career, no matter which field you choose. You can start growing your professional network as a student by participating in the national Communication honors society, Lambda Pi Eta, or in professional groups such as the American Marketing Association or the Public Relations Student Society of America.
Get invaluable job experience
You’ll be required to complete an internship. This invaluable career-building experience allows you to interact with professionals in the field. Because of our proximity to Los Angeles, you’ll be able to intern for such companies as:
- Warner Brothers
- Los Angeles Times
- Disney
- L.A. Clippers
- Fox Television
Programs
Offered as a major (BA) and a minor
Concentration Options
- Advertising/Public Relations
- Film and Television Production
- Journalism
- Sports Communication
Popular Minor Pairings
- Asian Studies
- Business Administration
- English
- Entrepreneurship
- French
- Global Business
- Multimedia
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sports Management
- Creative Writing
- Financial Planning
- Film and Television
- Public Health
Dr. Pagliassotti and Professor Spehar-Fahey lead a Travel Seminar to Venice every other year. Imagining Venice covers a range of topics about the one-time republic, with a special focus on its place as a symbol within the cultural media and artifacts of the Western world.
Travel not only teaches you about other cultures, but also about yourself. When I take my students abroad, all I can do is put their feet on the road. After that, each student’s journey will be unique.
Dru Pagliassotti
Professor
I think one of the most important tools in helping students discover and live their purpose is getting them to understand not to take their experiences for granted. In teaching critical thinking, we often privilege this action as questioning but it can be a part of the creative process, too. As the British writer Neil Gaiman said, 'You can take for granted that people know more or less what a street, a shop, a beach, a sky, an oak tree look like. Tell them what makes this one different.'
Russell Stockard
Professor
Because of our internship programs, contacts in the professional world, and the excellent support of Cal Lutheran Career Services, the placement rate for communication majors is quite impressive.
Recent graduates have taken rewarding jobs in a variety of fields. These include market research, public relations, and broadcasting.
Our alumni study at:
- Cal State University, Northridge
- Fashion Institute of Design
- George Washington University
- Liverpool Hope University
- 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
Our alumni work for:
- ABC Television
- City of Simi Valley
- Disney ABC Television Group
- E! Entertainment
- Edelman
- ESPN Radio
- Four Seasons Hotel & Resorts
- Fox Sports
- NBC Universal
- Sony Pictures
- Time Magazine
- The Walt Disney Company
- United Way
- Warner Brothers
Career paths:
- Account Executive
- Community Service Coordinator
- Events Manager
- Marketing/Sales Coordinator
- News Assistant
- TV Development Assistant
- Sales Consultant
- Advertising Copywriter
- Radio DJ
- Production Manager
- Public Relations Specialist
- Market Researcher
- Human Resources Rep.
of Cal Lutheran graduates find a job or enroll in graduate school within nine months
Zachary McVicker ’09I am a social media marketer. That involves everything from strategy to community management to editorial to analytics to paid social media buys. I would tell students to be curious and learn as much as you can. There are so many different elements of each field and you'll likely touch many of them as you progress. My career is case in point, as I have transitioned from advertising to PR to social/digital in the span of only a few years.
Vice President
Edelman Digital, LA
Professor
Associate Professor
Associate Professor, Communication
Associate Professor
Associate Professor
Professor
Associate Dean, Interdisciplinary Studies & Community Outreach and Professor
Professor