Communication Studies
In 1964 Marshall McLuhan said, “The medium is the message,” suggesting that the technologies we use to communicate are more important than the content of communication. As a Communication Studies major at Canisius University, you will become a well-rounded scholar of both: the medium, and the message. Technologies like video chat, social media, and texting connect us with people from all corners of the globe. A degree in communication studies will prepare you for a career in our ever evolving, technologically connected world.
As a Communication Studies major, you’ll study the how, why and what effective communication, no matter the audience. You will become well-versed in interpersonal communication, persuasion, media studies, and more. Common double major combinations are Communication Studies with: Digital Media Arts, Journalism, English/Creative Writing, Integrated Marketing Communication, Psychology.
An Interdisciplinary Approach
A well-rounded perspective is consistent with the liberal arts core at Canisius. Our Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies will give you the tools to navigate the 21st-century media landscape. You’ll develop a set of transferable skills, including written and oral communication, project management, research, creative content creation, and critical thinking. Guided by Jesuit values, you’ll learn how to use storytelling to highlight causes and societal issues.
Deconstructing and Creating Media
Become both a critical consumer and a skilled creator of media content. As a Communication Studies major, you will learn to analyze media messages to fully understand the perspective from which they were created. Beyond analyzing media content, you will learn the skills needed to create meaningful content for a wide range of audiences.
A Versatile Skill Set
As a Communication Studies major, you’ll develop a wide-ranging set of skills—including effective public speaking, writing for different media, working with a variety of technology formats, and knowing how to persuade using sophisticated messaging strategies.
View Extended Learning Opportunities
The Ethics of Communication
Because the impact of public communication is often immediate and far-reaching, professional communicators must develop an ethical lens. Through our program, you’ll employ best practices for effective communication within an ethical framework.
Career Connections
Test your skills in the real world with an internship or two. A field professional and our department’s internship director will support you as you take on internships locally or in cities such as New York, Boston, Washington, DC, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.
Common career paths
- social media manager
- public relations/events manager
- director/producer for film/television/video games
- higher education events coordinator, admissions counselor, alumni relations, or academic success coach
- human resources business partner, fundraising manager
- communication trainer, consultant, or professor
By The Numbers
- Jobs for PR and fundraising managers are projected to grow 8% from 2018 to 2028.
- 90% of our alumni are working in the field