Program Overview

Bachelor of Arts in Communication

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication program at the University at Albany is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of communication principles, theories, and practices. The program aims to equip students with the skills to analyze and improve communication processes, as well as to develop effective message strategies for various audiences and contexts.

Program of Study

The program requires a minimum of 120 credits, including:

• 24 credits of required courses:
  • Human Communication: Language and Social Action
  • Introduction to Communication Theory
  • Speech Composition and Presentation OR Argumentation and Debate
• 12 credits of statistics requirement:
  • Choose one from: Elementary Statistics, Statistics for Sociologists, Introduction to Statistics in Criminal Justice, Statistical Methods in Psychology, or Introduction to Logic
• 12 credits of communication elective:
  • Choose one from: Interpersonal Communication, Speech Composition and Presentation, Group Communication, Argumentation and Debate, Introduction to Mass Communication, Communication and Organizational Life, Media in Everyday Life, or Research Practicum
• 24 additional credits of communication courses at the 300-400 level OR 18 credits of communication courses at the 300-400 level and 6 credits of approved courses from outside the department

Sample Communication Courses

• Digital and Social Media in Strategic Communication
• Marketing Communication and Media Campaigns
• Risk and Crisis Communication
• Health Communication
• Corporate Communication and Rhetorical Advocacy
• Political Campaign Communication
• Persuasion in Media
• Theories of Intercultural Communication

Sample Courses from Outside the Department

• Professional Writing
• Women in the Media
• Marketing Principles
• Emerging Trends in Information and Technology
• Administrative Leadership

Honors Program

The Communication Honors Program is designed for outstanding students who want to pursue more advanced work in the field. Students will work directly with a faculty mentor on an investigation into a clearly defined problem in rhetoric and communication.

Internships and Opportunities

The program offers internships and opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in communication-related fields, such as television, radio, public relations, and corporate communication. Students can also get involved with student-run media organizations, such as the Albany Student Press, Albany TV, and the WCDB radio station.

Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Options

The program offers combined undergraduate/graduate options, allowing students to complete both degrees in five years. Students can choose to combine their Communication undergraduate degree with the following graduate programs:

• MA in Communication
• MS in Information Science

Career Outcomes

Graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree can pursue careers in various fields, including:

• Digital marketing strategist
• Social media manager
• Public information specialist
• Campaign specialist
• Media buyer/planner
• Advertising executive
• Digital account manager

Alumni Connections

The program has a strong network of alumni who have gone on to successful careers in various fields, including:

• Barneys New York
• Macy's Inc.
• EY
• CBS Interactive
• American Express
• Motorola
• Jaguar Land Rover
• New York State Assembly
• Reuters
• Capital One
• IBM
• NBC Universal
• The CW Television Network
• Tumblr
• Cosmopolitan Magazine
• PepsiCo Inc.
• NYS Thruway Authority
• Time Inc.
• Enterprise Holdings
• Showtime Networks Inc.
• Spotify

Student Learning Objectives

The program aims to equip students with the following skills and knowledge:

• Describe communication as a form of human social conduct with a particular focus on interpersonal, public, and organizational communication.
• Describe, apply, and evaluate various communication theories and the research that supports them.
• Analyze communication problems effectively and propose potentially effective responses in interpersonal/intercultural, organizational, political, and/or health contexts.
• Describe principles of effective audience-based strategies for public speaking; critique speeches on the basis of audience, argument, and presentation; develop and perform effective persuasive, informative, and ceremonial speeches.