Communication, B.A.

Messages matter, and the Bachelor of Arts in Communication program at Saint Louis University teaches students to design, deliver and analyze messages so students can influence, connect and inform. In a world where information is plentiful, technology changes rapidly and globalization connects cultures, studying communication gives students the flexibility to adapt and the skills to succeed in their academic, professional and personal lives.

The Department of Communication at Saint Louis University integrates the study of human communication, media and strategic communication in innovative ways to prepare students for careers in journalism and media; advertising; public relations; and corporate, government and nonprofit settings. Students develop skills to be culturally competent and ethically responsible communicators in their fields. At SLU, communication students learn to create, engage and think critically.

Create

Students develop writing, speaking and digital production skills that prepare them for professional success. Studies consistently show that employers value these skills in the workplace.

Engage

Students are given opportunities to participate in service learning opportunities as part of their coursework experiences. They explore ways that communication contributes to the greater good and learn to use communication principles to promote social justice.

Think Critically

Students learn about communication theories and research tools. They develop critical skills for analysis and application of theory to practice, and they hone their ability to gather and analyze data in professional contexts.

Curriculum Overview

Our multimedia resources offer students the opportunity to explore the latest communication technologies. Faculty members help students become lifelong learners of technology, able to adapt to inevitable change and think critically about the social implications of technological changes.

Program highlights include:

• Small class sizes and close connections to faculty along with many professional development opportunities
• An emphasis on the role communication plays in promoting social justice
• International campus connections with the communication program on our Madrid campus

Across concentrations, students develop strong oral, written and digital communication skills. Students in the program choose one of three concentrations:

Communication Studies

In the communication studies concentration, students study human interaction in interpersonal, organizational and public contexts. They develop skills for communicating effectively within and across cultures in a diverse society and functioning effectively in informal and formal leadership roles in various settings. These skills include working in teams, solving problems, managing conflict, engaging in advocacy and developing relationships.

Integrated Strategic Communication

In the integrated strategic communication concentration, students develop a portfolio showcasing their skills in content creation, campaign research and strategic planning, and print and digital design. Coursework in this concentration helps develop students' critical thinking so they can understand and evaluate all aspects of the campaign process and make decisions based on the strategic needs of an organization, corporation or agency. Students leave the program with campaign creation and implementation expertise for local, regional and national clients.

Journalism and Media Studies

In the journalism and media studies concentration, students develop essential skills to succeed in a constantly evolving media landscape. Courses in this concentration teach students to evaluate and adapt to changes in media and expose them to a wide range of technologies, theoretical perspectives, ethical decision-making principles and storytelling skills across media platforms.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

In addition to internships, students participate in several activities and media organizations outside the classroom, such as:

• KSLU radio, The University News, OneWorld and Her Campus
• The Strategic Communication Club

Depending upon the classes they take, students also have opportunities to work with community organizations to develop solutions for communication-based problems, create social media plans, develop integrated communication campaigns, engage in strategic planning and create a variety of print and digital materials for community organizations. 

Careers

More than 90% of graduates from the undergraduate program begin a career in their chosen field. SLU students majoring in communication have successful careers in advertising or public relations agencies, large corporations, nonprofits, small businesses and media organizations.

Some of the positions they hold include:

• Agency account executive
• Broadcast news reporter
• Community relations specialist
• Content data analyst
• Content development specialist/strategist
• Copywriter/editor
• Corporate giving director
• Corporate responsibility manager
• Creative director
• Digital marketing coordinator
• Event coordinator
• Graphic designer
• Human resources specialist
• Lawyer
• Magazine writer
• Market researcher
• Media relations specialist
• Multimedia producer
• Multiplatform journalist
• Online content creator
• Public information officer
• School district communication liaison
• Social media coordinator/strategist
• Television producer
• Video editor

Admission Requirements

Begin Your Application

Saint Louis University also accepts the Common Application.

Freshman

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. 

Transfer

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED.

Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).

In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken post-secondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Tuition

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

Saint Louis University makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2023, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $459 million in aid University-wide.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by December 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

1. Graduates will be able to create oral, written and digital messages relevant to the audience, purpose and context.
2. Graduates will be able to apply communication theory.
3. Graduates will be able to engage in communication research.
4. Graduates will be able to critically analyze messages.
5. Graduates will be able to demonstrate cultural communication competence.
6. Graduates will be able to apply ethical communication principles and practices.
7. Graduates will be able to recognize and address systemic injustice and inequity in pursuit of a just society.

Communication students must complete a minimum total of 39 credits for the major.

Communication Studies Concentration

Integrated Strategic Communication

Journalism and Media Studies Concentration

Madrid-Only Option

Continuation Standards

After completing 18 credits in the major, a student must maintain a 2.00 GPA in the major. Failure to meet this standard will result in the student being placed on probation. If the student's GPA in the major does not reach 2.00 after two additional semesters, the department may dismiss the student from the program.

Graduation Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses numbered below 1000).
• Complete the University Undergraduate Core curriculum requirements.
• Complete major requirements: minimum of 30 credits required.
• Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate or electives to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
• Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s), and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate or related elective credits.
• Complete department- and program-specific academic and performance requirements.
• Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through Saint Louis University or an approved study-abroad program.
• Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through Saint Louis University or an approved study-abroad program.
• Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Communication Studies Concentration

Integrated Strategic Communication Concentration

Journalism and Media Studies Concentration 

Attributed Courses

Communication Studies Inquiry Courses

Communication Studies Explorations Courses

Communication Production Courses

Journalism and Media Studies Foundations Courses

Journalism and Media Studies Advanced Writing Courses

Advanced Journalism and Media Studies Elective Courses

Select one additional course (3 credits) with either the 'CMM JAMS Advanced Writing' attribute or the 'CMM Production Course Req' attribute.

Note: SLU-Madrid and SLU-St. Louis program requirements vary slightly by campus.

In today's world of media saturation, technological change and globalization, studying communication sharpens the skills needed to succeed in your academic, professional and personal life.

At SLU-Madrid, we don't think in terms of being flexible and adapting to the world as it is; we seek to educate students who will re-design the world for the better rather than acclimate to its current conditions.

Composing an email. Decoding someone's gestures over lunch. Talking on the phone (while discreetly watching YouTube). Reading the newspaper and wondering how and why it represents and distorts the world it covers. Pondering a photo. Deciding when and how to tell a secret. If these and other communication-related practices are what you regularly do and provoke endless fascination, then our program in communication is for you. Our faculty is dedicated to deepening your understanding and capacities within a vigorously cross-disciplinary, socially conscious academic environment.

Curriculum Overview

The communication major provides you with a comprehensive, internationally focused education in communication in an exceptionally diverse milieu. Faculty members enact a blended approach to theory and application that emphasizes intellectual curiosity for its own sake while cultivating useful skills.

We study human interaction and symbolic practices, educating you to be culturally fluent and ethically responsible leaders in corporate, government and nonprofit settings.

You also have the option to study abroad at the St. Louis campus or at one of our peer AAICU institutions.

Fieldwork, Internships and Careers

Our students are endowed with consistent practice in communicative productions in writing, images and new media interventions, followed by carefully fashioned feedback from faculty. Our methodology prepares students for real-world communication activities ― in media, publicity, journalism ― as well as other demanding creative fields.

Qualified communication students may choose to earn up to three credits toward their degree by doing an internship. These students learn to implement the skills they study while gaining valuable professional experience at companies and non-profits in Madrid.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the major, you must have at least a 2.00 cumulative average and complete a declaration of major form, available in the Office of the Registrar. Upon acceptance to the program, you will be assigned a departmental advisor.

Tuition and Fees

SLU-Madrid is committed to providing a quality Jesuit education at an affordable price. Tuition rates at the Madrid campus are approximately 40% lower than at comparable private universities in the U.S.

If you have questions or would like to speak with a financial aid officer, email us at financialaid-madrid@slu.edu. 

• Tuition and Fees
• Scholarships and Financial Aid

2+SLU programs provide a guided pathway for students transferring from a partner institution. 

• Communication, B.A. (STLCC 2+SLU)