Communication

Create effective messages across all forms of media.

From major corporations and sports teams to small nonprofits and government agencies, every industry needs employees with communication skills. The skills you learn in this program will make you a competitive candidate in a variety of fields and endeavors.

Overview

Gain an understanding of theory and practice

The study of communication is relevant to every industry and human endeavor, especially in today’s dynamic media environment enhanced with social and mobile capabilities. Our program combines the study of communication theory with the development of practical skills and a vibrant internship program, preparing you for a career or graduate school — whichever path you choose.

Build your portfolio through course projects

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 and take photos for the award-winning newspaper, The Echo
Produce and implement advertising and social media campaigns
Broadcast and stream university sports events

Customize your academic journey

After developing a strong foundation in communication, you’ll be able to customize your education by taking communication courses that support your individual interest and closely align with your career goals.

At a Glance

Degree Type

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Communication

School/College

College of Arts and Sciences

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here's what you can do next:

Request Info Learn How to Apply Visit Campus

The Curriculum

With challenging and relevant courses, outstanding faculty, small class sizes, and an emphasis on hands-on learning, the communication program will position you to succeed in your chosen career.

Degree requirements

Find out what it takes to earn a degree in communication and explore the courses.

Bachelor of Arts

Emphasis Areas

Customize this major to your interests by taking courses in an area of focus:

Film and Television Production

Gain hands-on digital media production skills. Students will learn to write, create, and edit digital media for TV, film, and radio while gaining a broader understanding of the larger social, political, and business contexts in which these media operate.

Highlighted Courses

Get familiar with some of the courses you might take in this major.

COMM 311: Intercultural Communication

In a multicultural, globalized world, individuals often find themselves faced with challenging values, customs, practices and material situations. Students will understand and apply dimensions of culture and principles of intercultural communication at the level of organizations, social institutions, ethnic groups, and nations. Fulfills CORE 21 Global Perspectives requirement.

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COMM 348: Website Design and Publishing

Learn to design, create and upload web sites for personal and professional use. Skills taught include mobile-friendly web site creation using raw HTML and CSS as well as WYSIWYG software. No programming experience required, basic familiarity with computers desirable.

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COMM 405: Freedom of Communication

A study of the legal and ethical principles underlying freedom of expression and the limits placed on freedom of expression in the United States. Through examining leading U.S. court decisions, students will learn the broad principles and legal reasoning underlying First Amendment jurisprudence, including the legal, ethical, philosophical and political issues entailed in the rights of free expression.

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COMM 407: Broadcast News Production

Create live news broadcasts every two weeks. Learn to write, shoot and edit news stories. In the class, you will be the producer, director and anchor for CLUTV news. Emphasis will be placed on advanced editing skills.

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COMM 412: Entertainment Industry Marketing

Entertainment has become the dominant experience of consumers in a celebrity-driven culture. Technological innovations, including the Internet, social networking and mobile devices, have disrupted the entertainment industry. Students will examine these issues and develop skills and perspectives to evaluate marketing approaches in the entertainment industry.

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COMM 481: Strategic Communication Campaigns

Students will apply and synthesize theories and principles of persuasion and advocacy in the research, execution, and assessment of strategic communication campaigns. Emphasis is placed on the importance of a coordinated effort integrating various strategic communication tools and practices.

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View all required courses

Recommended Minors

Want to add even more value to your degree? Consider one of these minors to gain a unique combination of skills and perspectives.

Your Professors

Lecturer

Professor

Professor

Professor

Professor

Professor

Professor and Chair of the Communication Department

Russell Stockard Jr.

Professor

Nico Maestu

Senior Adjunct Faculty Member

Thomas Smith

Adjunct Faculty Member

The Experience

We offer hands-on opportunities that give you the freedom to explore your passion through real-world work and prepare for a fulfilling career.

Learning in Action

The Communication Department trains students to produce various student media publications, including Cal Lutheran’s print and online student newspaper, The Echo, and its streaming radio station, iCLU Radio.
Internships

Our students complete internships in a variety of different fields that lead to offers of permanent employment.

Organizations include:
- ABC, NBC, CNN, CBS, KTLA
- LA Rams, LA Chargers, LA Kings, and LA Clippers
- Disney
- Creative Artists Agency
- J.D. Power and Associates
- iHeartMedia
- SAGE Publications
Honors Society

You can start growing your professional network by participating in the national communication honors society, Lambda Pi Eta.
Professional Associations

The Cal Lutheran chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is a student-led organization devoted to helping students connect with other public relations and communications students and professionals. If you are interested in fields related to marketing, Cal Lutheran also offers a student chapter of American Marketing Association.

I chose the communication major due to my interest in publicity, social media, and overall human communication, and it allows me to pursue different job roles and gain expertise and knowledge about many topics. Last year, I took a few courses related to public relations that further affirmed my interest in a PR career. My current internship for CLD PR has also helped me identify my career path since I am working closely with celebrity and influencer teams to carry out PR-related disciplines.

Paige Sanders '24

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Career Paths

As a result of our internship programs, contacts in the professional world, robust alumni network, and support from our Career Services office, the placement rate for communication majors is quite strong. Recent graduates have taken rewarding jobs in a variety of fields, including market research, public relations and broadcasting.

Potential Careers

Media Programming Directors

Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.

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Public Relations Specialists

Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.

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Fundraisers

Organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.

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Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.

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Human Resources Specialists

Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.

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Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes

Represent and promote artists, performers, and athletes in dealings with current or prospective employers. May handle contract negotiation and other business matters for clients.

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Marketing Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.

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Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

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Employers

Some of the organizations our graduates work for include:

ABC Television
City of Simi Valley
Disney ABC Television Group
E! Entertainment
Edelman
ESPN Radio
Fox Sports
L.A. Kings
NBC Universal
Sony Pictures
Time Magazine
The Walt Disney Company
United Way
Warner Brothers

Graduate Schools

Our alumni have pursued advanced degrees at:

California State University, Northridge
Columbia University School of Law
DePaul University
Fashion Institute of Design
George Washington University
Liverpool Hope University
London School of Economics
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

The communication program set me up for success by teaching me a wide variety of skills that are realistic with the professional world. I learned a lot about professionalism, making and presenting a slide show and using effective communication skills to work with a team.

Lauren Heller '21
Sales Development Representative, Attentive SMS Mobile Marketing

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Some occupations listed above may require a related graduate degree.

How We Prepare You for Success

We have 20,000+ employer contacts for jobs and internships, with over 200 listings posted each week.

Our excellent career counselors in the Career Services center will get in touch with you during your very first term on campus. They offer over 50 workshops each year on resume writing, interviewing, salary negotiations, applying to graduate schools, and other critical skills to help you begin your career successfully.

After you graduate from Cal Lutheran, you receive free access to Career Services for life, as a valued member of our alumni family.

Learn more about career outcomes

of Cal Lutheran graduates find a job or enroll in graduate school within nine months

Cost & Financial Aid

We work with students and families to make sure everyone who is admitted to Cal Lutheran can afford it.