Program Overview

Communication Program

The Communication major at Pacific Lutheran University blends theory with practice, helping students understand how communication works and giving them the chance to try it out in real-world settings.

About the Program

Part of PLU's Department of Communication, Media & Design Arts, the Communication major offers students the opportunity to experiment across platforms, such as podcasts, video, journalism, social media, public speaking, and more. Classes function like labs where students collaborate with professors, classmates, and community partners. The work done in this program can reach audiences, make an impact, and provide students with professional-level experiences to add to their portfolio.

Skills Gained

Students in this program will gain the following skills:

• Strategic Storytelling and Campaigns: Build campaigns and strategies that inform, persuade, and inspire action in organizations and communities through real-world partnerships.
• Creative Media Production: Develop the ability to write, film, design, and produce across platforms like print, radio, TV, and digital media through PLU's labs and collaborative projects.
• Collaboration and Leadership Skills: Work in teams on media and communication projects to strengthen leadership, project management, and teamwork abilities.
• Critical Thinking and Analysis: Analyze messages, media, and cultural trends, applying insights to solve communication challenges and innovate new approaches.

Concentrations

The Communication major offers the following concentrations:

• Film & Media Studies
• Strategic Communication

Career Outcomes

Graduates from the last 5 years have gone on to work in various roles, including:

• Communications Coordinator, City of Lakewood
• Marketing & Communications Manager, Northshore Senior Center
• Program Manager, Disaster Relief and Food Security, Amazon
• News Producer, KOMO TV Channel 4
• Social Media Manager, The Blind Depot Inc.
• Assistant Director of Sports Information & Marketing, George Fox University
• Co-Founder, Master Plan Media

Graduate School Placement

Graduates from the last 5 years have gone on to attend graduate school at institutions such as:

• Law School, Seattle University
• Master of Communication Management, University of Southern California
• Master of Communication Studies, Colorado State University
• Master of Fine Arts in Documentary Production & Studies, University of North Texas
• Master of Business Administration, Eastern Washington University
• Master of Fine Arts in Photography, The New School
• Master of Arts in Education, Pacific Lutheran University

Hands-On Experience

MediaLab, a student-run media organization, offers students a chance to gain real-world experience in an agency setting, working with local clients to create and define their media presence.

Scholarships

PLU offers a digital media scholarship worth up to $4,000 per year specifically for communication majors.

Getting Involved

There are multiple ways to get involved outside the classroom, including MediaLab, the student newspaper, a radio station, and a television channel.

Related Programs

Related programs at PLU include:

• Art & Design
• Business
• Global Studies
• Innovation Studies
• Political Science