The Communication Studies Program focuses on human communication, exploring the ways humans create and negotiate meaning. Communication Studies majors master a focused course of inquiry into interpersonal processes as they create and sustain relationships and impact individuals, groups, and organizations. The Communication Studies curriculum builds primarily on social science traditions in developing a liberal arts education emphasizing human communication. Students in the Communication Studies major study applied communication theory and research in interpersonal, small group, organizational, intercultural, and other contexts.
The Communication Studies major teaches students how to think critically, giving them the ability to examine complex communication issues, and develop and implement strategies grounded in evidence-based research. This prepares students for careers in business and industry and graduate education. Students majoring in communication studies will find their career opportunities enhanced in professions requiring applied communication expertise, e.g., human resource management, public relations, training and development, sales management, recruitment, event planning, sales, management, organizational development, business communication, law, and international and intercultural relations.
Communication Studies majors must earn at least 120 credits, with 45 credits at the 300-400 levels, and a minimum of 33 credits in communication studies.
Communication Studies majors will:
August 2025
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
202 Catt Hall,
2224 Osborn Dr,
AMES,
Iowa,
50011, United States
Equivalent of a minimum 3.0 high school GPA on 4.0 scale. In addition to the requirement, students must meet the following minimum high school course requirements: 4 years of English or your native language; 3 years of science (including at least two years of laboratory science courses which emphasize elements of biology, chemistry, or physics); 3 years of math (including algebra and geometry); 2 years of social studies.
English Language Requirements:
TOEFL - Internet-Based TOEFL (IBT) score of 71 with a minimum score of 17 in both the Writing and Speaking sections and Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) score of 530
IELTS - Overall band score of 6.0 with no sub score below 5.5
PTE - Score of 48
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.