Communication Major

Strengthen your unique voice to bring meaningful change to today’s world.

In a fast-paced, media-saturated society, communication is a daily part of life. It has the power to foster communities and solve real-world problems. Houghton's Christ-centered Communication program equips you with the interpersonal, professional, and creative skills necessary to create and present meaningful, clear, and concise messages that can spark change.

Effective communication is an essential skill, sought out by many employers. Mastering this skill will open the door to many career opportunities, varying from analytical fields such as public relations to creative fields such as broadcasting and film.

Degree Snapshot

Undergraduate - Bachelor's

Degree Types: BA, BS

Concentrations: Digital Media Marketing, Media Arts & Visual Communication, Rhetorical Communication

Program Credits: 124

Explore Courses & Degree Requirements Careers Meet the Faculty

What will I learn?

Students laughing during class discussion.

Through Houghton’s degree in Communication, you will you will master the use of language and images to create effective messages as you:

Develop your interpersonal, intercultural, organizational, and design skills as you experience a wide variety of communication theories, styles, and practices.
Put your skills into practice with courses that specialize in areas such as public speaking, advertising, digital video, animation, and graphic design.
Take part in internships that meet professional standards of work in a variety of different areas.
Understand what it means to be a Christian communicator in today’s world. Learn how to use your skills to create meaningful conversations that will bridge connections between yourself and those who are different from you.
Master the Adobe Creative Suite and other media programs to be equipped to pursue work in video, graphic design, 3D modeling, animation, photography, writing, sound recording and more.

Why study Communication at Houghton?

Professional Experience Before Graduation

Put the ideas you learn in your Communication courses into practice as you pursue professional-level internships. You'll work alongside experienced faculty and industry professionals to serve the greater Houghton community.

Use Industry-Standard Tools

Experience a creative, collaborative space in the Benn and Sally Forsyth Learning Commons that houses our Mac Media Arts Lab. Be equipped with the tools necessary to develop you communication skills in various media. You'll also have access to individual media production workspaces for projects incorporating multiple digital technologies.

Interconnected, Expert Faculty

The Communication faculty at Houghton are dedicated to helping you become as flexible and well-rounded as possible. Their courses allow you to pair the Communication major with your interests, including but not limited to, art, business, ministry, pre-law, sports marketing, and education. You'll be encouraged to collaborate with your peers as well as with other faculty in the department.

Explore Your Calling

The Communication program at Houghton has a strong record of success in helping students to discover their vocation. Students can discover and master their unique skills in communication courses that will lay the groundwork for a vocation best fit for their individual abilities.

Courses & Degree Requirements

Popular Courses

COMM 215 Interpersonal Communication

Study interpersonal communication and how it applies in the context of friendships and families. Learn skills such as relational awareness, person perception, verbal and nonverbal communication, relational development and gender communication.

ART 283 Introduction to Digital Photography

This course introduces the fundamentals of digital photography, including camera operation and
file management. You'll explore photography as a visual language through personal expression, principles of composition, and the medium’s contemporary history. Class format includes discussions, demonstrations, critiques, lectures, and student presentations.

COMM 304 Social Media Marketing

In this course, you'll study the social interactions and habits of consumers. Explore the various social media channels available to marketers and learn to build social marketing strategies as well as track their effectiveness.

Degree Options

BA/BS - 124 credits

18 credits
Required Courses

23-28 credits
Major Electives

78-83 credits
Elective courses + general education

Degree Requirements

Concentrations

Digital Media Marketing

Build on the core of communication to master components of marketing, including advertising, public relations, marketing research, social media marketing and more.

Digital Media Marketing Concentration

Media Arts & Visual Communication

Make visual media that is effective, creative and ethical through the use of photography, animation, graphic design, video and software like Photoshop.

Media Arts & Visual Communication Concentration

Rhetorical Communication

Construct effective and ethically responsible messages in the church, workplace and community.

Rhetorical Communication Concentration

What can I do with a degree in communication?

Career Opportunities

Students earning a BA/BS degree in Communication from Houghton University are prepared for careers as:

Broadcast, Sound and Video Technicians

Editors

Film and Video Editors and Camera Operators

Fundraising Managers

Human Resources Specialists

Journalists

Lawyers

Marketing Managers

Marketing Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

Minister/Pastor

Public Relations Specialists

Social and Community Service Managers

Technical Writers

Urban and Regional Planners

Web Developer and Digital Designers

Writers and Authors

Requires further education.

Graduate School

Master's degrees options for Communication majors:

Business Administration (MBA)
Communication
Digital Marketing
Education
Higher Education Administration
Integrated Marketing
Journalism
Law
Seminary
Speech Language Pathology
Web Design

Career growth for Social and Community Service Managers.

From 2022 to 2032 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Houghton communication major, Ella Smith, wearing headset.

Shared Faith

When sophomore Ella Smith ’25 first visited Houghton, she fell in love with the campus and felt right at home. The strong friendships she has made, and the connections with her professors have given her the chance to grow within a tight-knit community that shares her faith. Working on a double major in business administration and communication with a concentration in integrated marketing, Ella is excited to pursue a career in public relations or social media marketing to work with people and tell their stories.

Learn more about Alumni Success and Outcomes