Communication
BA

The major in communication provides students with 21st century written, oral, and visual communication knowledge and skills grounded in rhetorical theory and critically engaged with diverse social, environmental, and technological perspectives.

Students develop important skills and gain experiences that will support their learning and professionalization during their time at UMass Dartmouth and beyond. Students will apply communication concepts and theories to real-world problems and issues within one or more communication industries.

Upon completing the degree, students will be able to:

create written texts using appropriate supporting materials and theories in communication and rhetoric
communicate ideas orally within multiple contexts
use information design principles to produce texts appropriate for an audience, purpose, and context
summarize and apply key concepts in communication and rhetorical theory
evaluate the historical and/or cultural contexts of communication practices and describe their ethical, social, or environmental implications
evaluate messages from a variety of media and technologies using methodologies in communication and rhetoric

The ability to communicate effectively is the cornerstone of professional success. Minoring in communication will provide you with the tools and techniques to improve your writing, communication, and critical thinking skills, all qualities that employers value highly.

You'll learn how to:

read and think critically
write with style and conviction
engage with communications across genres and modalities, thoughtfully and analytically

The skills you'll develop are essential in today's competitive job market and can lead to rewarding careers in communications, editing, journalism, public relations, social media, technical writing, web publishing, writing for general and specialized audiences, and many other areas.

The minor will prepare you for graduate study across many disciplines, such as creative and professional writing, education, law, and library/information science.

A minor in communication will supplement your studies in another field, expanding your career options. Choose from topics including internet communications and culture, proposal writing, and speech communications. For the minor, you’ll complete 18 credit hours in English with a focus on communication.

Expand your opportunities

Accelerated Degree Programs: Earn your master's degree with only one additional year of study. Juniors and seniors are eligible to apply.
MA in Professional Writing & Communication: Develop your professional skills in diverse areas of writing such as technical writing, web authoring, journalism, public relations, and creative writing.
Graduate certificate in Professional Writing & Communication: In the 4-course certificate program, you'll develop professional writing skills that focus on specific settings, situations, and communities.