Communication Studies

icon communication studies

Your relationships, your careers, your communities start here.

Get career ready and life ready by learning in-demand communication skills. Communication Studies at Kansas State University helps you develop the skills you need to excel in the workplace of the future, create change in your communities, foster strong relationships and practice effective leadership and advocacy. In Communication Studies, you can customize your college experience with a flexible curriculum and high-impact learning opportunities such as internships; research projects; and participating on our debate, speech and mock trial teams. You’ll work closely with expert faculty who care about your success. And you’ll emerge ready for what comes next.

students having a discussion in the classroom

Bachelor’s Degree in Comm Studies

Pursue your interests and develop the skills you’ll need to lead, connect, and thrive in your communities, workplaces and relationships.

Specializations in Comm Studies

Customize your degree by pursuing specializations of your choice in areas such as organizational and career communication, legal advocacy, political and civic advocacy and emerging technology.

students in a discussion group in the classroom

Minor in Comm Studies

Communication affects relationships, group workplaces and communities. Communication is part of every career, no matter your major.

students taking part in a mock trial in a courtroom

Program Highlights

Pursue a flexible degree that you can customize to your interests and passions.
Nationally and internationally recognized expert faculty who work closely with students every step of the way.
Award-winning, nationally affiliated student organizations that offer opportunities for hands-on experience, access to professional networks, and exclusive internships, job listings, and scholarships.
Opportunity to gain hands-on experience and make progress towards graduation through internships, team participation, and individualized research opportunities.
On-campus and online courses to fit the busy schedules and changing needs of today’s degree seekers.

Careers in Comm Studies

Communication skills are consistently the most sought-after skills in workplaces. Comm Studies graduates develop skills such as group communication and teamwork, persuasion, oral and written communication, strategic and critical thinking, leadership, and more. These skills are at the heart of growing workplaces, communities, and relationships. Comm Studies graduates pursue careers in areas such as human relations and human resources, sales, nonprofit management and leadership, ministry, law and the legal field, politics and public policy, communication and outreach, event planning, and more. Some students also pursue further education through law school and graduate school.

Customization and Specialization

Comm Studies students are able to customize their degree by pursuing specializations. Along with completing a core set of courses in communication concepts, research, and content creation, students can focus their learning and provide more structure and personalization to their degree by:

Completing two specializations in the areas of communication, identity, and relationships; organizational and career communication; coaching and consulting; legal communication and advocacy; political and civic communication and advocacy; truth, information, and freedom of speech; and emerging technology and innovation.
Pursuing a culminating experience through internships, individualized research, or team participation;
Taking part in a study abroad experience
Pursuing a minor and/or certificates in your interest area

Communication Studies Curriculum Guide

Competitive Teams

All K-Staters can join our regionally- and nationally-competitive forensics team, debate team, and mock trial team. Along with traveling to tournaments and building lasting relationships, Comm Studies majors can earn credit towards graduating by competing on the teams.

K-State Debate – work closely with coaches, travel the country, and participate in your choice of debate formats, including Policy, British Parliamentary, and Lincoln-Douglass. Learn more
K-State Speech – work closely with coaches, travel the country, and participate in your choice of speech events. Learn more
Mock Trial – develop your skills in trial advocacy, prepare for careers in law, and travel to competitions by participating on our mock trial team coached by experienced practicing attorneys. Learn more

Scholarships

Apply For Scholarships

The A.Q. Miller School scholarship program is one of the largest funders of education in K-State’s College of Arts and Sciences, giving nearly $190,000 in annual scholarships to students. Comm Studies students can apply for need-based and merit-based scholarships each academic year.

Learn more