BA Communication Studies - Persuasion Advocacy and Civic Engagement Concentration

Communication studies examines the creation, expression, and analysis of messages in our personal, professional, and public lives.  Knowledge of the field aids in students’ development of social intelligence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills all needed achieve personal, professional and civic goals. Communication Studies differs greatly from profession specific majors where student coursework may become dated or less relevant as students leave the university. Communication Studies majors acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities of resilient learners, collaborators, and problem solvers as they learn to manage message processes within and among individuals, groups, organizations, and societies. Students explore verbal and nonverbal communication, organizational and business communication, rhetoric and criticism, argumentation and persuasion, and communication technology.  Alumni excel in diverse cultural, professional, social, and personal settings as influential leaders, solution-oriented collaborators, highly trained researchers, talented writers, and engaging speakers.   The undergraduate degree offers concentrations in:

In addition to the minor in Communication Studies, the Department is also the home for three interdisciplinary minors: Leadership Studies, Political Communication, and Health Communication.

Key to our students’ and program’s success is our dedicated faculty and staff—a cohesive team that draws from their unified expertise to help students understand the vital connections between research and teaching inside and outside the classroom. Our faculty members are active in national and international association; publish their research in books, professional and academic journals; secure funding to support cutting-edge research; create podcasts; win awards for teaching excellence; and serve our communities. 

Some students may wish to concentrate on a particular aspect of communication study. Although there is no required sequence of courses for any single area of interest, the following general guide may be used to assist students in providing a focal point for their communication study.

Courses that focus on relationship management and well-being are designed to provide students with skills and knowledge to pursue a variety of career goals that involve interpersonal interactions with others. This area of interest is appropriate for students seeking careers in business, non-profit organizations, sales, customer service, hospitality services (e.g. travel or hotel industry) or other careers or professions which emphasize effective human relationship skills.

Courses that focus on professional and organizational advancement are designed to enhance student’s capacity for success in careers requiring skills in the management of human relationships and communication flow within contemporary business, public service, non-profit, and professional organizations.

Courses that focus on persuasion, advocacy, and civic engagement examine messages that are designed to create change. Courses address topics such as  rhetoric, public address, and argumentation. This area of interest is appropriate for students planning careers in business and industry, non-profit organizations, sales and marketing, the ministry, law, politics or other careers in which persuasion, rhetorical, and analytical skills are important.

Some students may wish to enroll in the Internship course COMM 4390. Requirements for the course may be found in the Courses section of the catalog.

The Communication Studies Career Readiness (CSCR) program is an innovative experience for select students to discover and examine career options in the communication field by building a personalized career pathway comprised of hands-on experience, alumni-mentoring, networking, internships, and specialized advising. This program does not follow the traditional career counseling model, which starts with a singular job that students work toward. Instead, the CSCR program starts with our students' skillsets, interests, and passions to explore multiple career opportunities before narrowing. CSCR students are better prepared for life post-graduation. The CSCR program only accepts 10-14 students per year.

CSCR students will have experiences that most universities of our size cannot provide. This program is perfect for the motivated student who is focused upon learning how the major can help them advance their personal and professional goals. Key benefits include:

The department also proudly sponsors the Delta Beta Chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the Communication Guild, the Elton Abernathy Forensics Society, and the LBJ Debate Society. The Elton Abernathy Forensics Society is Texas State's competitive speech team. The LBJ Debate Society is named for former President Lyndon B. Johnson, who was involved in debate as a student at Texas State University. Both teams travel locally, regionally, and nationally.