Communication
Communication is one of the most versatile and adaptable majors for the job market. In this major, you’ll have the ability to focus on your interests and pursue one of three concentrations in Health Communication, Media and Journalism, or Public Relations, while also learning broader skills and concepts. Our curriculum will help you gain crucial speaking, critical thinking, technological, and writing expertise that will make you invaluable to any employer and allow you to pursue your passions in the field. Whether you want to be the creative director behind an iconic advertising campaign, a passionate spokesperson for healthcare, a news anchor, or a multimedia content creator, majoring in Communication will immerse you in various industries, teach you tools of the trade, and prepare you for a successful, multifaceted career.
You’ll have access to our modern television studio, Mac-based computer lab, and editing software in your first year to allow you to create your own content and experiment with audio, video, and designing graphics. You’ll have the opportunity to intern with local television stations, advertising agencies, nonprofit organizations, and businesses that will expand your network for future jobs. Plus, you’ll also learn from dedicated faculty with practical and academic experience in a variety of fields.
Why Choose Communication?
Communication skills are highly sought-after by employers in every industry—one reason why our students launch fulfilling and dynamic careers quickly after graduation. The ability to communicate clearly, write well, work as a team player, and present yourself in a professional manner is vital.
Majoring in Communication at Western New England University will allow you to explore various industries within the communication field and learn skills that can be applied in countless ways, as well as focus on where you want to go in your career through specialized courses, internships, independent studies, and individual projects. Wherever you see yourself in the future, whether that is in social media or public relations, in public health or in law, in a television studio or a business start-up, a degree in Communication will prepare you for excellence.
What Will You Study?
The Communication major will teach you to be an effective communicator and critical thinker. You’ll get broad exposure to all areas of the field from day one. You’ll learn how to produce your own newscasts and radio reports, create PR and social media strategies that promote corporate clients or social causes, write a special interest blog that will get you noticed, and learn skills that can help you excel in the corporate world. You’ll specialize in one of three concentrations—Health Communication, Media and Journalism, or Public Relations—which will put you in the driver’s seat of pursuing your own goals. In addition, you can participate in a Communication faculty-led, three-week study abroad opportunity in Italy, which offers an unparalleled travel and learning experience. Graduates have gone on to our Master of Arts in Communication with a Public Relations Concentration program (offered entirely online), as well as Business and Law programs.
Career Opportunities
As one of the University's most flexible majors, the Communication program is adaptable to almost any industry. Our graduates are applying their degrees in careers at television stations, newspapers, marketing companies, advertising agencies, nonprofit organizations, sports franchises, healthcare companies, and educational institutions. Our alumni have been hired at ESPN, WWLP-TV 22, SiriusXM Radio, Inc., ICON International, iHeartMedia, Spirit of Springfield, Cloud 9 Marketing Group, Fusion PR, Progress Software, Garvey Communication Associates, and Envision Marketing Group.
Clubs & Organizations
Communication students may have interests in: Lambda Pi Eta (Communication honor society), The Westerner (student newspaper), WNEK The Voice (student radio station), Golden Bear Television (student television station), and National Communication Association. Many of our students also participate in varsity and intramural sports, special interest groups, and student government.
Faculty
Our faculty members have extensive experience in the field. They have worked in television, education, international radio, business, professional sports, public relations, and politics. As both your professors and mentors, they will teach you the skills to succeed in the classroom and gain experience in your chosen industry. As influential members of the local community, our faculty can help you develop key contacts and secure employment opportunities prior to graduation.
Unique Learning Opportunities
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Internships and Field Work
As a Communication student, you'll gain professional skills and experience through internships, fieldwork, and community-oriented projects. These experiential learning opportunities will allow you to explore future careers in a practical setting. You'll have access to a network of more than 1,000 internship sites where you'll learn from the best. Communication majors have interned at sites including Mercy Medical Center, Masslive.com, The Huffington Post, Baystate Health Foundation, Alison May Public Relations, Center for Human Development, WGBY-PBS, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Springfield Thunderbirds, MGM Springfield, Spirit of Springfield, and the Metropolitan Opera, among many others.
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Study Abroad: Become a Global Citizen
Today’s workforce needs professionals who see the big picture. The College of Arts and Sciences will help you to become a student of world cultures and histories as they relate to your studies while making valuable contributions in your explorations. Whether you participate in a faculty-led summer seminar course or spend a semester at an international university, the experience will broaden your horizons and help you compete in the global landscape.
Study Abroad
