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Communication studies at Saint Martin's is an interdisciplinary program that uses critical and cultural studies to understand the central role of communication in society, with a focus on social justice.

Program Highlights

  • P​roximity to to Washington state capital allows for access to quality internship opportunities with government agencies, nonprofits, arts organizations, and businesses.
  • Shaped by the Benedictine values of stewardship, community and listening with the ear of the heart, the program utilizes accessible media technologies such as cloud computing, mobile devices and social media, citizen journalism and digital media production to encourage creativity.
  • While designed to provide a well-rounded understanding of the field of communication, students can choose to pursue a production-focused or more theoretically oriented course of study.

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  • Career paths

    Communication studies prepares students for careers in a wide range of fields:

    • Public relations
    • Advertising
    • Media arts production
    • Journalism
    • Nonprofit advocacy
    • Filmmaking

    For a complete list of professional applications, visit "What Can I Do With This Major?". For additional information about how Saint Martin’s can help you find the career for you, visit our Career Center.

Requirements

Major

  • 40-46 semester hours of CORE requirements
  • 9 semester hours of Lower-Division courses
  • 34 semester hours of Upper-Division courses
  • Upper-Division and Elective courses (34 semester hours)

    Required course(s):

    COM 300Media Production
    COM 320Media and Culture
    COM 390Internship
    COM 499Capstone Project

    21 additional credits are required from the list of approved electives, 18 of which must be upper division.

    Elective courses:

    Remaining semester hours chosen from:COM 340 International Communications
    COM 360 Communication Law and Policy
    COM 380 Copy Editing and Design
    COM 385 Conflict and Peace Studies
    COM 395 Special Topics
    COM 396 Intercultural Communication
    COM 397 Directed Study
    COM 398 Media History
    COM 399 Communication Theory
    COM 401 Community Media Lab
    COM 299/WRT 299 Introduction to Journalism
    COM 302/WRT 302 Advanced Journalism
    COM 303/WRT 303 Digital Journalism
    COM 307/THR 307 Studies in Film
    COM 317/ENG 317 Language and Culture
    PHL 301 Ethics
    PSY 320 Social Psychology
    SJ 370/ SOC 370 Social Action
    SOC 396 Intercultural Communication
    SOC 450 Advanced Research Methods
    COM 103 Interpersonal Communication
    COM 106 Public Address
    MUS 110 Applied Lessons
    THR 302 Playwriting
    THR 402 Playwriting
    WRT 306 Professional and Academic Writing

     

Minor

  • 6 semester hours of Lower-Division courses
  • 19 semester hours of Upper-Division and Elective courses
  • Upper-Division and Elective courses (19 semester hours)

    Required course(s):

    COM 300Media Production
    COM 320Media and Culture

    12 additional credits are required from the list of approved electives, 9 of which must be upper division.

     Elective courses:

    Remaining semester hours chosen from:COM 340 International Communications
    COM 360 Communication Law and Policy
    COM 380 Copy Editing and Design
    COM 385 Conflict and Peace Studies
    COM 395 Special Topics
    COM 396 Intercultural Communication
    COM 397 Directed Study
    COM 398 Media History
    COM 399 Communication Theory
    COM 401 Community Media Lab
    COM 299/WRT 299 Introduction to Journalism
    COM 302/WRT 302 Advanced Journalism
    COM 303/WRT 303 Digital Journalism
    COM 307/THR 307 Studies in Film
    COM 317/ENG 317 Language and Culture
    PHL 301 Ethics
    PSY 320 Social Psychology
    SJ 370/ SOC 370 Social Action
    SOC 396 Intercultural Communication
    SOC 450 Advanced Research Methods
    COM 103 Interpersonal Communication
    COM 106 Public Address
    MUS 110 Applied Lessons
    THR 302 Playwriting
    THR 402 Playwriting
    WRT 306 Professional and Academic Writing

     

Goals for the communication studies major

Communication Studies students at Saint Martin's

Hearing what isn't said

"The goal of communication studies at Saint Martin’s is to encourage students to become responsible leaders, engaged citizens [who seek] ... social justice on a scale beyond themselves."

Irina Gendelman College of Arts & Sciences Professor of Communications

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Faculty