Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA) – Concentrations

The importance of being an effective communicator, in a diverse marketplace to a variety of audiences, is essential now more than ever. Students in the communication program at Drexel take relevant and timely courses that teach them how to become successful public relations, marketing, social media management, and journalism professionals, among countless other career opportunities. Our curriculum features broad theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience allowing communication students to enter the industry with in-demand skills. The field of communication is constantly evolving, and Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Communication students are equipped with the knowledge and experiences to succeed in an ever-changing world.

The BA in Communication degree program offers three different concentrations:

• Public Relations (BA)

  The Public Relations concentration prepares students for careers focused on effective communication management on behalf of an organization, person or brand. With a comprehensive curriculum blending theoretical and practical knowledge, the program provides a strong foundation to understand the PR industry and its key players. Students will learn practical skills in areas such as PR writing, PR planning, reputation management and social media communication, and build an acute understanding of the importance of ethical, transparent PR practices as a form of public communication. In conjunction with Drexel’s co-op program, this concentration prepares our students to enter the job market ready to excel as leading PR practitioners.

• Journalism (BA)

  The Journalism concentration provides students with the skills and theoretical perspective needed to succeed as a journalism in today’s swiftly changing media environment. Students will learn how to write, edit, and produce professional content and hone their skills in digital storytelling in partnership with student-run organizations and the Drexel co-op program. Among the courses in the curriculum are Multiplatform Journalism; Investigative Journalism; Copy Editing for the Media; and Sourcing Challenges in Journalism.

• Communication & Media Studies (BA)

  The Communication and Media Studies concentration is a flexible option where students can design an academically rigorous, inclusive program of study around expanding media’s potential to positively transform the self and society. Our students are encouraged to explore widely and do the unconventional, becoming inclusive researchers, and intellectual leaders in all fields of Communication. Programs of study include a range of electives that encourage students to develop their expertise in analysis of media and its impact on society.

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Accelerated Degree in Strategic & Digital Communication (BA + MS)

The accelerated degree in Communication (BA) and Strategic & Digital Communication (MS) allows academically qualified students to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree (two diplomas are awarded) in five years, saving a year of time by "accelerating" their undergraduate courses.

Eligible students can be admitted to the accelerated degree in Communication (BA/BS + MS) program in one of two ways: as an incoming freshman, or after completing a minimum of 90 credits but no more than 120 credits.

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Communication Minor

The Minor in Communication equips students with skills that can easily be applied in any field they choose. Students can blend their interests by achieving a minor while completing their other degree requirements. The minor is designed to familiarize students with communication theory while providing training in print and electronic communication skills.

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Linguistics Minor

Linguistics, the study of language, is central to human communication. Linguists study language form, meaning and context, especially by observing and analyzing human communication in its many spoken and written varieties. A knowledge of linguistics is the basis for studies in language diversity and communicative competence, the psychology of language, educational aspects of language that affect learners and classrooms, the formal logic and languages of philosophy and computer science, and the biological science of speech pathology. As a minor at Drexel, linguistics helps you develop both a desirable set of skills in communicating with diverse speakers on co-op and an academic profile that will set you apart from other applicants for work, study, scholarship opportunities, and graduate study.

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Nonprofit Communication Minor

The minor in Nonprofit Communication provides communication theory and practice with skills training specific to the nonprofit sector. In addition to conventional coursework, this minor includes a practicum with a local nonprofit organization.

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Graduate Certificate in Public Relations – Online

Drexel University’s online Graduate Certificate in Public Relations (PR) focuses on the basic building blocks PR professionals need. Courses cover the foundations of public relations, PR writing, PR planning, and strategic social media communication. Whether you’re new to the public relations field, are trying to expand your knowledge of PR, or find yourself needing additional PR training in your current position, this certificate will help you build a strong public relations foundation.

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Master of Science in Strategic and Digital Communication (MS-SDC)

Drexel's Master of Science in Strategic and Digital Communication (MS-SDC) degree program provides an outstanding foundation for communication careers. The program prepares you to succeed in various media environments and platforms, as well as in communication contexts that are characterized by advanced digitization. The swift advance of digitization is being felt in nearly all disciplines and industries, and perhaps nowhere as robustly as the field of communications. Organizations in the private, public and nonprofit sectors are seeking talented professionals with a firm grasp of communicating in the digital age.

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Master of Science in Communication, Culture and Media (MS)

The Master’s Program (MS) in Communication, Culture & Media is a great choice for academically oriented students who wish to learn the basics of research and theory in communication and media studies. This program is great whether you are looking to simply test the waters for further study or you intend to explore a personal fascination with mass media, mediated communication, cultural studies, social change and media. The program also encourages interdisciplinary approaches to the study of communication and media through faculty strengths in anthropology, communication, linguistics and sociology.

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Doctoral Degree in Communication, Culture and Media (PhD)

The PhD in Communication, Culture and Media is designed to develop innovative scholar/teachers who are able to impart theories and studies on the interaction of social forces and communication. The communication master’s program trains researchers in both quantitative and qualitative approaches to communication.

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