Innovative Learning with Real-World Experiences
The Department of Communication at St. Edward’s University prepares students for a career in one of today’s most challenging and rapidly changing fields — the global and interactive world of communication.
Communication is the cornerstone of everything we do, rooted in rhetorical principles that date back over 2,000 years. Through our programs, students will discover a dynamic and diverse field of study encompassing public relations, advertising, media, technology, organizational, intercultural, interpersonal, health, nonverbal, listening, family and team communication, along with public speaking and rhetoric.
Communication majors excel academically, win scholarships and awards, join communication student organizations, attend academic and professional conferences, participate in experiential learning opportunities, and succeed after graduation.
Explore Our Program
The Department of Communication offers a major and minor in Communication. The Bachelor of Arts with a major in Communication encompasses public relations, advertising, media, technology, organizational, intercultural, interpersonal, health, nonverbal, listening, family and team communication, as well as public speaking and rhetoric. Students explore these and other areas of study by focusing on complex ideas, such as how reality and cultural knowledge are produced, shared, maintained, repaired, and transformed through the symbolic process of communication.
The Communication program requires 45 hours of major courses. Students complete five “core” communication courses, totaling 15 hours.
Areas of Concentration
Communication majors can choose from four concentrations exploring the creation, sharing, maintenance, repair, and transformation of reality and cultural knowledge through symbolic communication processes.
Public Relations and Advertising
Explore the role strategic communication plays in promoting a brand, image, issue and mission. Through the lens of social responsibility, your courses will focus on implementing creative solutions, ethical practice, strategic relationship management, ethical practice and innovative use of digital media and technology.
Relational Communication
Explore the important role relational communication plays within the context of our personal and professional lives. In addition to developing key relational communication skills, you will learn how individuals and groups communicate within a variety of interpersonal, intercultural and organizational contexts, from corporate to non-profit.
Critical Media Studies
Explore the power and influence of the media on audiences and society. This concentration provides you with the foundation for understanding and analyzing media industries, messages, audiences and campaigns. Prepare to explore a variety of positions ranging from narrative construction, video editing and production to reporting, social media, and media and cinematic criticism.
Communication Influence and Diversity
Explores the important role communication plays as a medium of persuasion, with a particular focus on issues, concerns and opportunities related to diversity. Learn empowering communication practices centered in dialogue, inclusion, equity, social justice, community reconciliation and restorative justice.
Additional Information
You may wonder why we call ourselves the Department of Communication and not Communications.
The simple answer is that we use the term “communication” to reflect our department’s focus on the humanistic and social scientific study of communication—specifically, the process by which humans use symbols, verbal and nonverbal, to create meaning and form relationships with other humans in face-to-face or mediated environments. This is the essence of what we teach, research, and do in our department.
“Communications,” in contrast, is often used to refer to the products—the messages that are transmitted or distributed—or to the equipment (like wireless or fiber optic cables) that conducts the transmission. While these are integral elements of communication study, they do not form the basis for our program. People tend to use the terms interchangeably, and even some communication departments use communications with the "s." But we prefer “communication” to emphasize our focus on the humanistic and social scientific study of communication rather than the more applied “art” of communicating.
Communication majors may qualify for three donor-funded scholarships created to support the dreams of aspiring Communication professionals. Below are links that share the background, eligibility and student selection procedures of these funds.
The Marilyn Schultz Memorial Endowed Scholarship
- 2021–2022 Recipient - Carla Pineda ’22
- 2022–2023 Recipient - Olivia Schneider ’23
- 2023–2024 Recipient - Claire Elizabeth Lawrence ’24
The Innes Mitchell Endowed Scholarship for Excellence in Communication
- 2021–2022 Recipient - Katya Melchor ’22
- 2022–2023 Recipient - Kaitlyn “Katy” Van Zandt ’23
- 2023–2024 Recipient - Bailey Kathryn Armosky ’24
The Marion Albert Leadership Annual Scholarship
2023–2024 Recipients
- Emily Sophia Pesina
- Amanda Castillon Ramirez
- Isa M Luna
Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is all about making connections. This pre-professional organization helps students be at the right place at the right time and launch careers. The PRSSA Chapter at St. Edward’s University has a distinct advantage of being in the heart of Austin, Texas.
The City of Austin continues to offer promising job prospects in the growing technology infrastructure, entertainment industry, government sector, and medical and science fields. Our Chapter provides out-of-the-classroom experiences that give students enhanced knowledge of the public relations field. Members have access to:
- Exclusive internships and job postings
- Networking events with local professionals
- Personalized agency and corporation tours
- Fun social events
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Nancy Reiter-Salisbury
PRSSA Email: prssa@s2sfoundation.org
Lambda Pi Eta (LPH)
Lambda Pi Eta (LPH) is the National Communication Association’s official honor society at four-year colleges and universities. LPH has more than 450 active chapters at four-year colleges and universities nationwide.
Lambda Pi Eta is designed to:
- Recognize, foster and reward scholastic achievement
- Stimulate interest in the field of communication
- Promote professional development and interest in graduate studies among communication majors
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Teresita (Tere) Garza
Topper Radio
Topper Radio is a student-run radio station that serves as an active channel of communication for students and faculty of St. Edward’s University to express the university’s values of high individuality through music, open dialogue and entertainment.
Topper Studios
A creative film-making club for students interested in any aspect of film production.
Topper TV
Topper TV is a student-run broadcast network that offers entertainment for viewers at St. Edward’s University. They can be found on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, where they provide news updates.
Majors and Minors Fair
The Majors & Minors Fair is an excellent opportunity for departments to connect with first, second year, and transfer students. This event is also a great chance for students to meet faculty and learn more about each major and minor offered in their School.
Brother Dunstan Bowles Persuasive Speaking Contest
The Brother Dunstan Bowles Persuasive Speaking Contest is held in honor of Brother Dunstan Bowles, who was famous for his dramas, humor, and dedication to faith. The contest is usually held in October and is open to all students at St. Edward's University. Students perform in front of a panel of judges and a live audience. Each contestant must present an original seven to eight-minute persuasive speech on a current social problem and advocate for change. Cash prizes are awarded to the first, second, and third place winners, but all contestants who participate will receive a certificate for their participation.
The Communication Speaker Series
The Communication Speaker Series features esteemed communicators--thinkers, artists, and doers--leading through exemplary scholarship in the field and/or creative expression. The program supports the mission of the university and the Communication department by promoting lifelong learning and encouraging the pursuit of social justice through exchange and collaboration. Attendees are introduced to social and cultural issues from unique perspectives and are challenged to think critically about their own. Attendees will enjoy an opportunity to engage in a question and answer session with featured speakers.
Conferences
Communication majors who have completed high quality research and are interested in attending the National Communication Association (NCA) or Southern States Communication (SSCA) conference need a faculty mentor’s approval and supervision. You can find more information on the NCA's website and the SSCA's website.
Career Paths after Graduation
Graduates with a degree in Communication leave the hilltop to embark on successful careers in print and broadcast journalism, public relations, media relations, corporate communication, and beyond. Many have landed positions with prestigious regional and national corporations, paving the way for limitless opportunities and success!
Meet Our Faculty
Contact Us
Location
Holy Cross Hall
Room 307
Get in Touch
Stephen A. King, Professor of Communication, Department Chair
sking1@s2sfoundation.org