About the DepartmentDepartment of Communication Studies
Students who complete a Communication Studies degree are trained to be innovative, global citizens who are leaders and advocates in their interactions with others, in their professional lives, and in their communities. Our departmental strategic mission is to provide a high-quality, 21st century liberal arts communication studies education that equips students to meet the great challenges of our time.
Why Choose Communication Studies at Gustavus
- We are the top-ranked overall private college for Communication Studies in Minnesota.
- Employment in media and communication occupations is projected to grow 14% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.
- Among Minnesota private colleges, Gustavus Communication Studies is in the top 3 for the number of majors we graduate.
- Communication degrees are the largest share of humanities bachelor's degrees.
In the Media
The Gustavus Communication Studies Department has been recognized by multiple organizations and media outlets. Check out these headlines for recognition faculty and the department have received for their work. Check out these headlines.
Department Features
Gustavus' Communication Studies department is distinct and offers students a combination of opportunities not available anywhere else.
- Project-based and community-engaged learning
- Global and intercultural learning, on campus and abroad
- Undergraduate research experiences
- Innovative critical media education
- Award-winning faculty members who are leaders in their fields
Skills Gained from a Communication Studies Degree
Students in Communication Studies gain skills essential in a liberal arts education.
- Critical thinking/problem solving (e.g. creativity, analysis)
- Written, oral, and visual communication skills (e.g. convey information clearly and to understand others)
- Public speaking
- Collaboration/teamwork
- Leadership skills (e.g. dependability, emotional intelligence, strategic decision-making)
- Information gathering and analysis
- Interpersonal skills (e.g. empathy, active listening, conversational, nonverbal communication)
- Intercultural skills (e.g. open-mindedness, understanding, adaptability)
- Organizational skills (e.g. planning, attention to detail)
Career Fields with a Communication Studies Degree
Knowledge, skills, and experience in Communication Studies translate to a variety of professions and civic leadership positions.
- Social and digital media
- Marketing and advertising
- Meeting and event planning
- Journalism
- Media production
- Public relations
- Human resources
- Writing and publishing
- Government/politics
- Non-profit leadership
- Law
- Many more - the skills students gain are adaptable to many professions
Spotlight: Public Discourse
Public Discourse is the department's introductory course in the major and has won multiple regional and national awards for its innovative approach to research, critical thinking, problem solving, writing, and oral communication—the core skills of a liberal arts education. It's also a general education course, fulfills a requirement for Education majors, and is an elective for Environmental Studies majors.
Spotlight: Public Deliberation and Dialogue
The department hosts the co-curricular program Public Deliberation & Dialogue (PDD), where student fellows are trained in how to facilitate difficult conversations among Gustavus students and community members from cities around the region.