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Communication Major in Pennsylvania
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in communication at Messiah University, a nationally ranked Christian university in Pennsylvania, helps you further your knowledge in the general field of communication with the flexibility to take courses in areas that interest you most.
Study Communication at a Christian University
Learning to apply theories effectively and ethically in a wide range of communication specialties, you’ll graduate with the foundation needed to pursue communication-related jobs or further your education through graduate studies. You will learn the role of communication in history and explore theory, rhetoric, and interpersonal and cross-cultural communication, allowing you to master various forms of communication—including oral, written, visual and virtual. You will also gain an understanding of communication processes among individuals, as well as within varying cultures and societies.
As a communication major or minor at Messiah University, you'll be able to:
- Double major or minor with other programs in department or areas like the humanities, social sciences, sports management, and the arts. You can also pair this major with the B.A. in business administration as a secondary. Within your primary field of study in communication, learning critical business skills can open up additional opportunities for you after graduation.
- Study abroad, take a cross-cultural or participate in external courses, including a semester at the Contemporary Music Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Participate in The Pulse, Messiah University's award-winning student media hub, which includes PulseFM, an FCC-licensed FM radio station; YBTV, the university’s weekly student-produced news broadcast; the Swinging Bridge, the campus magazine; and The Pulse's thriving social media pages.
- Continue your education through a variety of graduate programs.
- Work alongside faculty on research projects in a variety of communication-related subject areas and communication pedagogy.
- Gain practical, hands-on experience in your chosen area of interest.
As a graduate of the communication program, you will be equipped to secure positions such as:
- Writer
- Community or organizational relations specialist
- Legislative affairs liaison
- Researcher
- Graduate student
- Editor
- Fundraiser
- Community relations specialist
- Communication director
- Communication associate
- Admissions counselor
- Recruiter
- Marketing director
For more information on career planning for the communication program, visit the Messiah University Career and Professional Development Center.
Messiah’s nationally recognized internship program places students in a variety of communication internships. A few examples include:
- Philadelphia Flyers
- FOX News
- La Torre Communications
- JDK Group
- Pavone
- Inside-Out Creative
- Pennsylvania Department of State
- CURE International
- Time Warner Cable
- Washington National Opera
- Tierney Communications
- Bravo Group
- PA Senate
- JPL Creative Inc.
- Suasion Public Relations
- Church World Services
Programs related to Communication
In the Communication program, you will take a selection of courses that successfully prepare you for a career in a related field. Hands-on experiences and classroom learning within the framework of Christian faith will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. Our programs offer a wide variety of courses that will not only help you excel in your future career, but challenge you to develop a deeper understanding of your field of study.
Course options for Communication:
Communication careers and outcomes
Where our grads work
Graduates of the Communication program work in positions of leadership in their places of employment, using the tools and knowledge a Messiah University education prepared them with. Each year, eager employers and some of the nation's best graduate schools welcome Messiah graduates into their organizations.
Where they work
- Major League Baseball
- AstroZeneca
- School District of Philadelphia
- Flashtalking
- Pinnacle Health
- Heritage Hills Golf Resort
- Center for Nutrition/Activity
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center
- Edleman PR
- U.S. Marine Corp.
- National MS Society
- CURE International
- Harrisburg Regional Chamber
- U.S. Army
- Crosswalk.com
- Union University
- CCS International
- Crayola Factory
- Homewood Suites by Hilton
- Tierney Communications
- OneEleven Creative
- Rachel's Challenge
- Asbury Theological Seminary
- webpageFX
- EA Games
- International Justice Mission
What they do
- East Coast Director of Campaign Management
- Manger of Grants
- Marketing Communications Specialist
- Account Executive
- Communications Officer
- Development Coordinator
- Development Officer
- Events Marketing Coordinator
- Linguist
- Senior Editor
- Dean
- Director of Embassy Relations
- Manager of Public Relations
- Writer
- Marketing/Communications Manager
- Manager
- Account Coordinator
- Owner/Designer
- Program Presenter
- Director of Admissions
- Web Content and Client Development
- Associate Producer
- Digital Marketing Specialist
- Freelance Writer
- Social Media Coordinator
Graduate school
- Harvard Law School
- Temple University
- Kent State University
- University of Maryland
- Northwestern University
- Baylor University
- Penn State University
- Villanova University
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
- Purdue University
- North Carolina State University
- Ohio University
96% of the Class of 2022 respondents were employed or in graduate school within 6-9 months of graduation.
Our Alumni
Regional and national employers seek out Messiah graduates for their academic preparation, work ethic and personal character. The transformation you experience at Messiah readies you to transform the lives of others through your chosen career path.
Gaining experience as a Christian communicator
Through the communication degree program you’ll also have plenty of opportunities to gain valuable job experience. Many students complete internships in nearby Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s capital city, or choose to study abroad, work at The Pulse (Messiah’s student-run media hub), or take on leadership roles in clubs and organizations. Throughout each of those opportunities, you’ll practice your communication, analytical and critical thinking skills and become a successful Christian communicator and leader.
Messiah's unique approach to hands-on learning
Learning in the classroom is important but actually applying that knowledge in a hands-on way can make all the difference. At Messiah University, the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) allows Messiah to take this hands-on learning to a new level by giving students the opportunity to apply what they have learned to various real world contexts--such as an internship/practica, service learning, off-campus program, holding a student leadership position, or participating in undergraduate research.
Flexible curriculum
Because of the flexibility of the communication major, you can tailor your degree to your own interests and take courses in the areas of communication that are most appealing to you. This includes taking courses within any of the other majors within the Department of Communication (broadcasting and journalism, film and media arts, public relations or digital media), and potentially adding a minor or double major.