Communication Studies, BA

Concentrations Available:

• Communication Studies
• Communication in Human Relationships
• Public Relations
• Sports Communication
• Digital Storytelling

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies gives students the skills needed to pursue any career path, satisfy any employer, and become their own best advocate. Opportunities include gaining a broad understanding of the principles of human communication and the practical skills necessary for effective oral and written communication. The degree has many applications, and after graduation students pursue diverse paths that include employment in public relations, digital media, law, education, content creation, and management. In addition, many communication studies majors decide to continue their study of the field at the graduate level or to pursue graduate work in a variety of fields. Students who wish to earn the degree take 18 hours of core Communication Studies courses and an 18-hour concentration. The concentrations are listed below: 

Communication Studies

This concentration allows students to acquire a broad understanding of the field of communication.

Communication in Human Relationships

This concentration develops students’ ability to analyze communication contexts, solve communication difficulties, and build productive relationships, both personal and professional. Courses in this concentration emphasize human communication as a meaning-making symbolic process and recognize communication as the key for creating and maintaining human relationships. Students will receive instruction on crucial communication processes such as cultural sensitivity, small group decision making and problem solving, conflict management, and nonverbal communication. They also learn to apply theories of human communication through course work, service-learning projects, research experience, or internships. The concentration will prepare students for a range of career options that require excellent people skills as well as analytical and problem-solving skills including management, human resources, counseling, education and health communications. It is also excellent preparation for law school or other graduate education.

Public Relations

This concentration helps students develop skills for strategically communicating with diverse publics and building mutually beneficial relationships to manage corporate image.  The program offers experiential learning opportunities through class projects, internships, and the student agency called 5 Star Public Relations which has been recognized at the local, state and regional levels.  Students develop skills in research, planning, project implementation and evaluation, problem-solving and effective written and oral communication.  Possible careers for PR practitioners include multimedia journalism, crisis and reputation management, social media coordination, sports communication, entertainment, government relations, non-profit management, and leadership.  LSUA students have interned with local news stations, multi-state corporations, marketing firms, government agencies, LSUA Athletics, and numerous community-based organizations and nonprofits in addition to pursuing the national Certificate in Principles of Public Relations. Past students participated in international internships in Brazil, the UK and the Netherlands.

Sports Communication

This concentration effectively prepares students for careers in media production in a variety of contexts with a focus on sports reporting, announcing, broadcasting, sports information, or sports publicity and promotion. Students will gain skills in producing a variety of media content including news articles, social media posts, podcasts, interviews, live sports coverage and announcing, and studio experiences. This concentration provides students with a theoretical understanding of the role sports play in society, culture, relationships, and identity as well as the practical ability to create content for a wide variety of sports experiences and contexts to prepare them for careers in the growing sports media and communication industry.

Digital Storytelling

This concentration prepares students for careers in a digital world by nurturing skills in creativity, design and public relations by using diverse multimedia platforms to communicate a specific story to a specific audience.  Emphasis is placed on the interactive and universal components of story as a means of communicating an entity’s mission, vision and/or producing various campaigns.  Students will gain knowledge of current strategies related to content creation and social media as well as basic communication theories of persuasion and audience analysis while working with relevant software. Graduates are prepared for a multitude of career paths in design, marketing, public relations and more.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Graduates will be familiar with major concepts, theoretical trends, empirical findings, and historical trends in communication studies.

2. Graduates will understand and apply basic research methods in communication studies, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.

3. Graduates will communicate effectively in a variety of formats and settings, including oral, written, and mediated communication.

Admission Requirements

Students must meet all requirements for admission to the university. The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies has no separate or special admission requirements.

Degree Requirements

1. Students must complete all of the requirements pertaining to baccalaureate degrees as specified in Degree Requirements .

2. Students must take at least 30 hours at the 3000-level or above (at least 15 of the 30 hours must be at the 4000-level)

3. Students are required to make a grade of “C” or higher in each course applied toward Core Major Courses and Concentration Courses.