Communication Studies, B.A.
Effective communication is foundational to individual and organizational success, from managing our daily lives to leading Fortune 500 organizations.
Program Intro
The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies provides a thoroughly integrated yet individual degree program that prepares students for careers in the dynamically changing world of communication. The program also provides a foundation for those graduates who wish to pursue advanced degrees. Through coursework and extracurricular experiences, communication studies majors develop skills in oral, written and visual communication, enabling them to research, design, present and evaluate messages across diverse contexts and from a variety of platforms.
Why Study Communication Studies at CBU?
Practice communication in the classroom
The communication studies program is heavily focused both on individualized attention and real-world skill acquisition. Courses throughout the program integrate real-world concepts that translate to profession. Our core public speaking class is capped at 23 students, allowing more time for coaching and improvement. And our organizational communication course allows students to form a hypothetical small business where they confront communication problems in the workplace and in life.
Join a premier speech and debate team
CBU offers one of the nation's premier speech and debate programs. Speech students compete at tournaments throughout the year and consistently take top honors in individual and team competitions.
Graduate on time
Communication studies is one of the few programs at CBU that actively works to maintain students' ability to take all of their major classes with no conflicts between class times. Students often use this distinctive either to add communication studies as a double major, as a minor, or as a switch from another major if their desired graduation date is no longer within reach.
What You'll Learn
Students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies will:
- Demonstrate proficiency in oral, technical, and/or nonverbal performance.
- Implement creativity in assignments and performances.
- Use critical thinking skills in developing, researching, and presenting arguments.
- Demonstrate an ability to evaluate individual work critically and assess personal
growth.
- Demonstrate spiritual literacy and an ability to incorporate a Christian worldview.
- Understand principles of communication across philosophical, cultural and religious settings.
Program Details
COM 340: Persuasion and Social Influence
Learn how persuasion, social influence, and compliance function in both online and in-person contexts, while examining how you can ethically persuade others and also identify and overcome unethical attempts at persuasion by others.
COM 401: Argumentation and Conflict Resolution
Examine the principles and models of argumentation and conflict resolution, demonstrating how to present an effective and compelling case.
COM 403: Communication Theory
Recognizing human communication theories in everyday life, and critically examining situations in multiple cultural contexts based on those theories.
Cynthia Boes, Ph.D.
Professor of Communication
Office Phone: 951-343-4904
E-mail: cboes@calbaptist.edu
Office Location: James Building 038
Victoria Brodie, Ed.D.
Associate Professor of Public Relations
Department Chair, Communication Arts
Office Phone: 951-552-8310
E-mail: vbrodie@calbaptist.edu
Office Location: James Building 044
Michael Marse, M.A.
Assistant Professor of Communication Arts
Program Director, Forensics
Office Phone: 951-343-4207
E-mail: mmarse@calbaptist.edu
Office Location: James Building 037
Career Possibilities
Communication studies majors can apply their field of study to a variety of careers. Some careers listed below may require further education.
- Speech Writer
- Script Writer
- Salesperson
- Social Media Manager
- Communication Director
- Digital Communication Director
Related Programs
Next Steps
Join our community. At CBU, you’ll be challenged to become an individual whose skills, integrity, and sense of purpose glorify God and distinguish you in the world.