Program Overview
Communication Studies
Learn to communicate with purpose, think critically about media and public life, and develop the research, writing, and leadership skills to make an impact in any profession.
Nationally Recognized Program
Study in a nationally recognized undergraduate Communication Studies departments.
Communication for Change
Explore how communication shapes relationships, communities, public discourse, and social change.
Research with Purpose
Complete an Independent Study that combines communication theory with meaningful real-world questions.
Why study Communication Studies at Wooster?
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Learn in a nationally recognized undergraduate Communication Studies program.
Study communication through politics, culture, media, relationships, and civic engagement.
Study communication through politics, culture, media, relationships, and civic engagement.
Build exceptional writing, speaking, research, and analytical skills.
Connect Communication Studies with disciplines across the liberal arts through interdisciplinary coursework.
Work closely with faculty mentors from your first courses through Independent Study and graduate with a substantial faculty-mentored research or applied communication project.
Award-Winning Teaching and Mentorship
Communication Studies students learn from nationally recognized teacher-scholars who are committed to undergraduate education, research, and mentorship. The department's excellence has been recognized by the National Communication Association, including its 2021 Rex Mix Program of Excellence Award, and faculty continue to earn national recognition for outstanding teaching and scholarship.
Explore communication from multiple perspectives.
Communication Studies majors complete a flexible program that builds a strong foundation in communication theory while allowing students to tailor the major to their own interests.
Students explore communication through rhetoric, media, relationships, culture, politics, and public discourse while selecting electives that connect Communication Studies with disciplines such as Africana Studies, English, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies.
Every major completes a two-semester Independent Study, working one-on-one with a faculty mentor to investigate a communication question or create an original project. Independent Study projects may include traditional research, rhetorical criticism, interviews, media analysis, documentaries, podcasts, communication campaigns, or other applied communication work. The experience develops the independent research, writing, critical thinking, and communication skills that are hallmarks of a Wooster education.
Students interested in complementing another field of study may also pursue a Communication Studies Minor, a five-course program that introduces the core concepts of rhetoric, media, and human communication while providing a valuable interdisciplinary complement to majors across the liberal arts.
Ready to Make Your Voice Matter?
Whether you aspire to work in media, law, public affairs, marketing, healthcare, nonprofit leadership, education, or business, Communication Studies at Wooster prepares you to communicate effectively, think critically, and lead with confidence.
Career Opportunities
Communication Studies graduates build careers wherever effective communication and thoughtful leadership are valued.
Wooster alumni have built careers with organizations including Nike, Coca-Cola, EY, The Athletic, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. State Department, Airbnb, Cardinal Health, the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Metroparks, and many other leading public, private, and nonprofit organizations.
Recent alumni work in fields including:
Advertising and marketing
Brand strategy
Public relations
Journalism and media
Law
Politics and public affairs
Government
Healthcare
Nonprofit leadership
Business and finance
Human resources
Sports organizations
Arts and entertainment
Zhenyu Tian
Assistant Professor of Communication Studies; Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies (On leave Fall 2025)
ztian@wooster.edu
Mehri Yavari
Assistant Professor of Communication Studies
myavari@wooster.edu
Michelle L. Johnson
Associate Professor of Communication Studies and Department Chair
mjohnson@wooster.edu