Affiliation: School of Social & Cultural Studies
The mission of the Communication Department at Truman State University is to embody the liberal arts and sciences by actively engaging students through critical discourse and transformative experiences which connect the study of human communication history, theory, and contemporary practices with students’ personal, professional, and civic lives. Graduates of the Communication Department with position themselves as modern, adaptive, and ethical communicators and critical thinkers/listeners - communicating understanding toward diverse groups, perspectives, and practices.
The Communication major prepares students for a wide variety of careers, graduate school, or law school. The Communication curriculum at Truman engages the humanistic, performative, critical, and social-scientific approaches to the study of human communication. It facilitates students’ professional, civic, and personal development to prepare them to become citizen-leaders motivated to live healthy and meaningful lives.
Our accomplished faculty utilize experiential and cooperative approaches to learning in the classroom. Outside of the classroom, learning occurs through what are often described as transformational experiences by students. The Communication Department offers study abroad experiences, internships, plus the opportunity to participate in the award-winning media network or nationally competitive speech and debate team. Truman Communication graduates are prepared to meet the complexities that characterize an advanced, technical, and multicultural world.
Students majoring in Communication choose one of the following emphasis areas: Relational Communication, Corporate Communication, Strategic Communication, Argument & Speech, or Activism & Advocacy. Students are assigned a faculty advisor who works individually with them to create a curricular plan and execute it.
Relational Communication
Students in this emphasis are fascinated by the interrelationships of humans in various contexts. Those connections can be personal or professional, and in individual, group, or organizational settings. The study of Relational Communication prepares students to work with people, such as careers in counseling, consulting, management, or ministry. Students interested in pursuing graduate degrees might think about Master’s programs in Communication, MBA programs, or Truman’s MA in Leadership.
Corporate Communication
The study of Corporate Communication focuses on interactions in the workplace. Students in this emphasis learn how businesses communicate with different internal and external stakeholders. This track prepares students for possible careers in human resources, management, or consulting. An MBA, Master’s programs in Communication or Strategic Communication, or Truman’s MA in Leadership are potential graduate school options for students in this emphasis.
Strategic Communication
Strategic Communication as an emphasis area privileges external audiences. As such, students learn the ways organizations communicate with customers, stakeholders, and the public. Potential careers include public relations, event planning, advertising, or social media management. Those interested in pursuing graduate degrees should consider programs that offer a Master’s in Communication, an MBA, a Master’s in Strategic Communication, or Truman’s MA in Leadership.
Argument & Speech
The study of Argument & Speech emphasizes teaching and coaching communication. In this emphasis, students learn the performative aspects of communication, how to construct effective argumentation and public presentations, and how to explain these concepts to others. The track is for students interested in becoming educators and forensics coaches, attorneys, and communication consultants. Students in this emphasis might pursue Truman’s MAE program, Master’s programs in Communication, Truman’s MA in Leadership, or law school as potential graduate programs.
Activism & Advocacy
The Activism & Advocacy emphasis teaches students the tools of persuasion as a means to serve the multiple communities to which they belong. Whether through politics, social movements, organizing, or volunteerism, students learn the communication strategies activists employ to launch and maintain campaigns to make their community a better place. Careers include working in political campaigns, community organization, working for nonprofits, and the law. Law school, Truman’s MA in Leadership, Master’s programs in Communication, Master’s of Public Administration, or Master’s of Social Work programs are all possibilities for grad school for students in this emphasis.
To become a Communication major, students must have a 2.0 overall GPA and not be on academic probation. No grade of “D” in a major course is accepted toward completion of a Communication major.
DEPARTMENTAL HONORS IN COMMUNICATION
Seniors who wish to graduate with Honors in Communication must meet the following criteria:
- Cumulative GPA of 3.50 or better
- Communication major GPA of 3.50 or better.
- Satisfactory completion of a:
- COMM research project with a presentation, or;
- for-credit COMM internship, or;
- transformative experience in the field of Communication.
- Score 85% or better on the Senior Examination in Communication.
- Submission of a completed application to Department Office by the assigned date.
A full description of the requirements and the application form are available on the Communication Department website.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
