FACT SHEET

Sep. 20, 2018

Department of Communication Majors

Department of Communication
 The department offers three majors: communication studies, public relations and
multimedia journalism. Recently, a concentration in sports media and analytics
was added to the curriculum.
 Opportunities to work in the state-of-the-art studio, directly with clients and in
internships with national firms provide hands on experience in communications.

Communication Studies
 Students study process and systems relating to human communication.
 The curriculum includes persuasion, the rhetorical tradition and professional
communication.
 The curriculum prepares students to think critically, develop and present
messages, analyze and solve problems and manage conflict.
 Sample careers for the major include: communication director, sales associate,
recruiter, special event planner, content specialist and speech writer.

Public Relations (PR)

 Students study the mutually beneficial relationships between an organization and
the public.
 The curriculum includes principles of PR, communication research, writing and
editing for PR, PR cases and PR campaigns.
 Classes prepare students to write clearly, gather data, critically analyze problems
and plan and implement actions to meet business objectives.
 Sample careers for the major include: public relations specialist, communication
director, speech writer and public information officer.

Multimedia Journalism
 Students study the production of news across various media platforms.
 The curriculum includes media writing, communications research, multimedia
reporting and digital newsroom.
 Classes prepare students to gather data, analyze situations, shoot video, broadcast
stories, write clearly and concisely and edit and design print and web pages.
 Sample careers for the major include news reporter, broadcast journalist, sports
writers, editor, radio announcer and content specialist.

Sports Media and Analytics

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 The Sports Media and Analytics concentration offers students the opportunity to
focus on careers in sports anchoring, announcing, writing and directing.
 Students in the concentration will follow the multimedia journalism degree
requirements with a number of specialized sports courses.

Opportunities
 Graduate program in communications
 Study abroad in Switzerland at the Steger Center
 Students have the opportunity to participate in organizations such as the PRSSA,
Lambda Pi Eta and the Society of Professional Journalists.

Contact:
Olyvia Lose
Olyvia8@vt.edu
(757) 968-2599