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Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Communication Studies, BA

Communication Studies is all about understanding the processes of how we stimulate meaning in the minds of others to meet our many personal, professional and social goals — be it trying to seek information, form relationships, engage in persuasive communication or simply to entertain ourselves and each other.

A degree in Communication Studies opens doors to allow you to be successful in just about any career, from healthcare to human resources, from sales to social media, from image management to promotions. The curriculum will make you even more attractive to potential employers or graduate programs.

Your Degree Plan The WVU Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Admission Requirements Tuition and Aid Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

A professor talks to students in classroom

We prepare skillful communicators at both the theoretical and applied levels. Our program is flexible, allowing you to tailor the curriculum to meet your individual career and personal goals.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • Professional field experiences: Students gain vital work experience while supporting community organizations or WVU offices.
  • Seelio, an online portfolio service, is part of all capstone courses, allowing students to showcase their work and interact with professionals in their field.
  • SpeakWrite Certified Major automatically fulfills the WVU General Education Foundations (GEF) writing and communication skills requirement.
  • Facilities include an Interaction Lab with research suite, media observation room and data chamber.
  • Alumni Mentor Program
  • Earn academic credit through Eberly internship courses.
  • 500+ scholarships awarded annually by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.
  • Academic Enrichment Program offers funding for activities that complement, extend and enhance your academic experience.
Scholarships

93% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2023-24).

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Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

The Department of Communication Studies offers a nine-week, nine-credit-hour study abroad program in Germany — the Summer Program in Communication Studies at Erfurt, or SPICE.

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $76,950

Possible job titles include: Market Analyst, Market Research Analyst, Market Research Consultant, Market Research Specialist.

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Advertising and Promotions Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.

Median Salary: $126,960

Possible job titles include: Advertising Manager (Ad Manager), Communications Manager, Promotions Director, Promotions Manager.

Explore Career

Advertising and Promotions Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.

Median Salary: $126,960

Possible job titles include: Advertising Manager (Ad Manager), Communications Manager, Promotions Director, Promotions Manager.

Explore Career

Marketing Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $161,030

Possible job titles include: Brand Manager, Business Development Manager, Marketing Director, Marketing Manager.

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Human Resources Specialists

Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $72,910

Possible job titles include: HR Coordinator (Human Resources Coordinator), HR Generalist (Human Resources Generalist), Human Resources Specialist (HR Specialist), Recruiter.

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Fundraisers

Organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $66,490

Possible job titles include: Contract Grant Writer, Development Officer, Fundraising Consultant, Philanthropy Officer.

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Search Marketing Strategists

Employ search marketing tactics to increase visibility and engagement with content, products, or services in Internet-enabled devices or interfaces. Examine search query behaviors on general or specialty search engines or other Internet-based content. Analyze research, data, or technology to understand user intent and measure outcomes for ongoing optimization.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $76,950

Possible job titles include: Digital Media Planner, Online Marketing Consultant, Paid Search Strategist, SEO Strategist (Search Engine Optimization Strategist).

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Public Relations Specialists

Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $69,780

Possible job titles include: Communications Specialist, Public Affairs Specialist, Public Information Officer, Public Relations Specialist (PR Specialist).

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Advertising Sales Agents

Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces.

Median Salary: $61,460

Possible job titles include: Advertising Account Representative, Advertising Representative, Advertising Sales Representative (Ad Sales Representative), Sales Representative.

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Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing

Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $66,780

Possible job titles include: Outside Sales Representative, Sales Consultant, Sales Representative (Sales Rep), Salesman.

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Admission Requirements

To be admitted to WVU's Communication Studies major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Tuition and Aid

How much does Communication Studies at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Visit the Net Price Calculator

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Communication Studies major is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Ready to take the next step?

Learn how to join the WVU family.

Request Info

Want to know more about Communication Studies at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

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