Program Overview

Communication Major & Minor

The Department of Communication at Cornell University offers a comprehensive program that enables students to understand audiences, shape messages, and interact with individuals and technologies. Through the study of science, media, and technology, students develop essential skills for leading in the rapidly changing communication landscape.

Major in Communication

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Communication is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of communication theory and practice. The curriculum offers a breadth of courses that allow students to explore the field and develop a focus area of their choice.

• Admission Requirements:
  • 4 Units of English
  • 4 Units of Mathematics (including pre-calculus, statistics recommended)
  • 3 Units of Science (including biology and chemistry, physics is strongly recommended)
  • An additional unit of science is also strongly recommended
• Sample Classes:
  • COMM 3075 - Writing With and About AI
  • COMM 3190 - Data and Society
  • COMM 3400 - Global Media Industries

Minor in Communication

The Minor Program of Study in Communication provides students with a balanced background in communication theory and practice. The minor consists of 21 credit hours.

• Minor Requirements:
  • COMM 1101: Introduction to Communication – Fall only
  • Two courses from the following, only one of which can be a writing course:
    • COMM 1300: Visual Communication – Spring only
    • COMM 2010: Oral Communication
    • COMM 2310: Writing about Communication (Very limited spots for non-majors)
    • COMM 2820: Research Methods in Communication Studies – Fall only
    • COMM 3010: Writing and Producing the Narrative for Digital Media
    • COMM 3020: Science Writing for the Media
    • COMM 3030: Organizational Writing
    • COMM 3040: Writing and Editing for the Media
    • COMM 3060: Connecting Experience: Creating a Personal Brand and Implementing an ePortfolio
    • COMM 3070: Communicating Today: Creating Strategic Messages Across Media
    • COMM 3080: Environmental & Sustainability Communication
    • COMM 3090: Experiential Writing in the Yucatan: Environmental and Cultural Communication
  • One Focus Area Introductory Course from the following:
    • COMM 2200: Media Communication – Fall & Summer only
    • COMM 2450: Communication and Technology – Fall & Summer only
    • COMM 2760: Persuasion and Social Influence – Spring only
    • COMM 2850: Communication, Environment, Science and Health – Spring only
  • Three courses of upper-level Communication from the following:
    • ANTHR/COGST/STS 4330 - How Do We Know Nature? Language, Knowledge and the Environment - CESH
    • COML/ENG/MUSIC/PMA 2703 - Thinking Media - CMS
    • COMM 3100 Communication and Decision Making in Groups - CSI
    • COMM 3110 Educational Psychology - CSI
    • COMM 3150 Organizational Communication: Theory and Practice - CSI
    • COMM 3189 Taking America’s Pulse - CSI
    • COMM 3200 New Media and Society - CAT, CMS
    • COMM 3210 Communication and the Environment - CESH, CMS
    • COMM 3300 Media and Human Development - CESH, CAT, CMS, CSI
    • COMM 3400 Personal Relationships and Technology - CAT, CSI
    • COMM 3450 Human Computer Interaction Design - CAT
    • COMM 3460 Crowds, Communities, and Technology - CAT, CSI
    • COMM 3560 Computing Cultures - CSI, CAT
    • COMM 3710 Crossing Cultures Through Film - CSI
    • COMM 3720 Intercultural Communication - CSI
    • COMM 3760 Planning Communication Campaigns - CSI, CMS, CESH
    • COMM 4200 Public Opinion and Social Processes - CMS, CSI, CESH
    • COMM 4201 Information Policy: Research, Analysis, and Design - CSI
    • COMM 4220 Psychology of Entertainment Media - CAT, CESH, CMS
    • COMM 4250 Sports and the Media - CMS
    • COMM 4260 Gender & the Media - CMS
    • COMM 4280 Communication Law - CMS, CSI
    • COMM 4292 Sexual Identities and the Media - CMS
    • COMM 4300 Ethics in New Media, Technology and Communication - CESH, CAT, CMS, CSI
    • COMM 4350 Communicating Leadership and Ethics - CSI
    • COMM 4360 Communication Networks and Social Capital - CAT, CMS
    • COMM 4380 Communication in Virtual Worlds - CAT
    • COMM 4400 Advanced Human-Computer Interaction Design - CAT
    • COMM 4410 Communicating Self in Social Media - CAT
    • COMM 4450 Computer-Mediated Communication - CAT
    • COMM 4560 Community Involvement in Decision Making - CESH
    • COMM 4650 Mobile Communication in Public Life - CAT, CMS
    • COMM 4660 Public Communication of Science and Technology - CESH
    • COMM 4760 Population Health Communication - CESH, CSI
    • COMM 4860 Risk Communication - CESH, CSI
    • COMM 4940 COMM Special Topics count ONLY if they are 3 credits (may be repeated if different topics)
    • COMM 4970 COMM Individual Study
    • COMM 4990 COMM Independent Research

Transfer Requirements

• Strong academic record at the college level. In general, competitive applicants have at least a 3.0 (B) average.
• CALS Required Coursework should be completed or in-progress with a “B” or better before applying.
• The most competitive applicants are full-time students who have met the GPA and course requirements.

Careers in Communication

• Business:
  • Marketing manager
  • Gallery assistant
  • Business analyst
  • Product buyer
  • Social media customer care
  • Supply chain analyst
  • Business development coordinator
  • Wine sales and marketing manager
• Communication:
  • Social media coordinator
  • Public relations associate
  • Advertising analyst
  • Film production assistant
  • Web designer
  • Digital designer
  • Journalism staff writer
  • Digital marketing specialist
  • Marketing manager
• Education/Research:
  • Leadership coach
  • Numeracy interventionist
  • English instructor
  • Elementary teacher
  • Bilingual teacher
  • Communication assistant
  • Research aid
  • UX researcher
  • Research analyst
• Entertainment:
  • Marketing coordinator
  • Talent agent
  • Non-scripted television assistant
  • Creative artist assistant
  • Professional hockey player
  • Client service representative
• More:
  • Law officer
  • Harm reduction specialist
  • Nonprofit marketing and communication manager

Interaction Design Lab

The Interaction Design Lab focuses on research on social and technical issues in mobile computing, social networking, affective computing, and design theory. The lab aims to understand how technology can enable healthier, more socially connected, and reflective living.

Student Organizations

Student groups are a great way for students to explore their interests in many areas. Communication-related groups include:

• The Cornell Daily Sun
• Slope Media
• Centrally Isolated Film Festival
• The Thread Magazine
• The Big Red Sports Network
• Cornell Media Guild - WVBR Radio

Additional Programs

• COMM Honors Research Program
• Internship Opportunities
• Off-Campus Programs
• Communication Graduate Programs
• Student Organizations

Extension & Outreach

• Outreach Programs
• Groups, Organizations & Communities
• Health Communication
• Career Connections
• Technology & Social Behavior

Department Resources

• Communication Research
• Faculty & Experts
• Department Map
• Student Advisory Board
• News & Events