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Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Speech Studies

As one of the oldest foundations of the communication discipline, speech studies maintains importance today in helping us better understand how humans connect and communicate in corporate settings, families, digital and in-person relationships, health care settings, courtrooms and organizational contexts both small and large. Speech communication examines the framing, delivery, analysis and perception of messages within the context of culture, industries and interpersonal relationships.

The B.A. in Communication and Speech Studies program provides students with the opportunity to develop their communication and critical thinking skills. The curriculum encourages students to examine communicative events and practice persuasive strategies — skills that enhance students’ professional and academic abilities. In practice, speech and communication theories can be applied to foster change, sustain dialogue, negotiate conflict, engage with diverse cultures and maintain richer interpersonal relationships.

Students are encouraged to perform research with faculty, which may allow them to present at local, state and national communication conferences as well as publish work in reputable journals. Creativity and critical thinking are woven into the curriculum.

Studying communication and speech gives students an advantage in professional settings and prepares them for graduate school. Students graduate with an understanding of the fundamentals of human communication, including effective persuasion and the presentation skills necessary to deliver articulate arguments.