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.

The Curriculum

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.

Concentrations

Advertising/Public Relations
Film and Television Production
Journalism
Sports Communication

Popular Minor Pairings

Course Requirements Course Descriptions Department Website

How to Apply Tuition & Financial Aid Request Info Visit Us

The Experience

Taking action is the best way to help you discover your purpose. For example, by participating in a travel seminar students have the opportunity to make a positive difference in their community and the world.
Ryan Medders
Assistant 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

Your Future

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

More Career Outcomes

I work in both post and field production following and helping define episode story lines and making sure the best footage and moments are used to create a television series. It is very easy to get paralyzed from stressing about your career and the future, but it's not productive. Remembering what you are grateful for will ease your worries and help you discover what's most important to you and what you need moving forward.

Alexandra Butler '10
Communications, Public Relations and Advertising Emphasis Major
Freelance story producer for unscripted/docu-series style television shows

Your Professors

Jean Sandlin

Associate Dean, Interdisciplinary Studies & Community Outreach and Professor

Monica Gracyalny

Associate Professor

Aaron Heresco

Associate Professor, Communication

Kirstie Hettinga

Associate Professor

Ryan Medders

Associate Professor

Russell Stockard Jr.