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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:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

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.
  • 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

Over 92% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

Learn more

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 market conditions in local, regional, or national areas, or gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or create a marketing campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $74,680

Possible job titles include: Market Analyst, Market Research Analyst, Market Research Consultant, Project Manager.

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Advertising Sales Agents

Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or the Internet. Includes individuals who obtain leases for outdoor advertising sites or persuade retailers to use sales promotion display items.

Median Salary: $61,270

Possible job titles include: Account Executive, Account Manager, Advertising Account Executive, Advertising Sales Representative.

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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 give-aways, 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: $131,870

Possible job titles include: Account Executive, Ad Manager, Ad Sales Manager, Communications Manager, Marketing and Promotions Manager, Promotions Director.

Explore Career

Advertising and Promotions Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or give-aways, 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: $131,870

Possible job titles include: Account Executive, Ad Manager, Ad Sales Manager, Communications Manager, Marketing and Promotions Manager, Promotions Director.

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: $157,620

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

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Human Resources Specialists

Perform activities in the human resource area. Includes employment specialists who screen, recruit, interview, and place workers.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $67,650

Possible job titles include: Employment Representative, Human Resources HR 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: $64,160

Possible job titles include: Development Director, Direct Response Consultant, Director of Development, Executive Director of Development, Gift Planning.

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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: $74,680

Possible job titles include: Director of Search Engine Optimization (Director of SEO), Ecommerce Marketing Manager, Internet Marketing Specialist, Senior Search Engine Optimization Specialist (Senior SEO Specialist).

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Public Relations Specialists

Engage in promoting or creating an intended public image for individuals, groups or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $66,750

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

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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: $65,630

Possible job titles include: Account Representative, Customer Account Technician, Inside Salesperson, Outside Sales Representative.

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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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