College of Arts & Sciences Communication Studies

Overview

Explore Human Interaction

Communication Studies examines the dynamics of human interaction in a variety of contexts, including interpersonal relationships, organizations, and various institutional and cultural spheres. We emphasize communication that invites and embraces diversity. 

Through our program, students have opportunities to socialize, hear and meet guest speakers, experience practical applications of the profession and participate in internships with area organizations.

Undergraduate Program

We offer the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in three major areas of study:

  1. Interpersonal Communication explores how communication messages create self-concepts, climates and personal relationships, including the study of family, gender, and culture. 
  2. Organizational Communication is the study of communication in business and established social structures. 
  3. Rhetoric and Public Address studies the principles of human communication between speakers and audiences, including the historical and social contexts of persuasion and political discourse. 

Graduate Program

We also offer a Master of Arts degree. Graduate students are encouraged to design individually-tailored programs of study to meet career goals.

Presentation Center

The Presentation Center is a resource for both undergraduate and graduate students, providing a variety of services to assist with formal and informal presentations.

Scholarships

Several department scholarships are available to those who pursue Communication Studies:

  • Communication Studies Scholarship Fund (communication studies majors)
  • Norman Watson Memorial (communication studies majors)
  • Frieberg Forensic Scholarship
  • Dr. Harold M. Jordan (incoming freshmen)

For freshman scholarships, also see Financial Aid.

Careers

Our graduates go on to a wide variety of Careers.

Get Involved

USD Speech and Debate participates in parliamentary debate and all 11 American Forensic Association (AFA) individual events, including impromptu speaking, informative speaking, prose interpretation, dramatic duo, extemporaneous speaking, persuasive speaking, program oral interpretation, after dinner speaking, communication analysis, drama interpretation, and poetry interpretation.