The Communication major provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, manage, and evaluate communication processes involving individuals, groups, and the public. Graduates develop strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills as well as an advanced ability to analyze and critique messages, behaviors, and media.
Career opportunities in Communication include:
"Communication is ubiquitous, and the most valuable thing I learned while getting my degree is how to communicate effectively in a number of settings: in a large group, one-on-one, with upper management or in a crisis situation."
Director of Basketball Communications for the Dallas Mavericks
source: myUK: GPS
Please login to http://myUK.uky.edu to access your major map and personalized degree audit via the myUK Graduation Planning System (myUK GPS).
Please login to http://myUK.uky.edu to access your major map and personalized degree audit via the myUK Graduation Planning System (myUK GPS).
Please login to http://myUK.uky.edu to access your major map and personalized degree audit via the myUK Graduation Planning System (myUK GPS).
Please login to http://myUK.uky.edu to access your major map and personalized degree audit via the myUK Graduation Planning System (myUK GPS).
Students explore human interactions and the evaluation of communication processes. Focused tracks are designed to prepare students for specific career paths.
Prepares students for careers in communication management, consulting, sales, human resources, operations management, conflict resolution and crisis communication. Advanced courses include organizational communication, teamwork and leadership, negotiation and conflict, and risk and crisis communication.
Prepares students to work in media and audience research, mass media criticism, public information and media education and literacy. Advanced courses include interpersonal communication and social media, mass media and social influence, digital and mass communication literacy, and critical analysis of communication and persuasion.
Prepares students to manage, deliver and evaluate health services, health education, hospital administration, and health communication campaigns. Advanced courses include health communication, studies in persuasion, interpersonal communication in health, and health communication campaigns.
Prepares students to communicate theories, methods, and techniques about sports in a variety of contexts. Students will draw connections between sport, communication, and society while also learning the strategies required to communicate sport information to a variety of audiences.
Prepares students for careers in general management of communication and information across various contexts. Students can create their track by choosing classes from the other specializations.
Honor students can choose one of the tracks above and supplement their studies with advanced courses in Communication Theory, Research Methods, and the Honors Seminar.
120 Credit Hours (EXCLUDES: KHP service courses, EXP courses, and remedial courses)
Complete all UK Core requirements, Graduation Writing, BA or BS requirements, and one statistics course 42 Hours at the 300 level or above
2.00 cumulative GPA and 2.00 major GPA required to graduate
Pre-Major Requirements—15 Hours
COM 101—Introduction to Communications
CIS/WRD 110—Composition and Communication I
CIS/WRD 111—Composition and Communication II
COM 252—Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
COM 249—Mass Media and Mass Culture
Major Requirements—21 Hours
Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement (COM 326 or 351)
COM 325—Introduction to Organizational Communication
Choose Three
COM 399—Internship in Communication
COM 425—Communication, Negotiation and Conflict
COM 525—Advanced Issues in Organizational Communication
COM 535—Risk and Crisis Communication
COM 581—Teamwork and Leadership in Organizations
6 additional hours at COM 325+ level
Cognate–15 Hours
COM 315—Understanding Workplace Communication in a Diverse Society
12 additional hours at 300+ level outside COM major
Major Requirements–21 Hours
Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement (COM 326 or 351)
COM 352—Interpersonal Communication and Social Media
COM 449—Mass Media and Social Influence
COM 453—Digital and Mass Communication Media Literacy
COM 553—Critical Analysis of Communication and Persuasion in Popular Culture
6 additional hours at COM 325+ level
Cognate–15 Hours
COM 312—Learning Intercultural Communication Through Media and Film
12 additional hours at 300+ level outside COM major
Major Requirements–21 Hours
Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement (COM 326 or 351)
COM 471—Introduction to Health Communication
COM 482—Studies in Persuasion
COM 571—Interpersonal Communication in Health Contexts
COM 572—Health Communication Campaigns and Communities
6 additional hours at COM 325+ level
Cognate–15 Hours
COM 311—Patient-Provider Communication
12 additional hours at 300+ level outside COM major
Major Requirements- 21 Hours
Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement (COM 326 or 351)
COM 327— Communication and Sport
Choose Three:
COM 353—Technology-Mediated Communication and Sport
COM 426—Sport Communication and Analytics
COM 460—Sport Industries and Audiences
COM 563—Critical Analysis of Sport Media and Society
6 additional hours at COM 325+ level (must have 9 hours at 400+ level)
Cognate–15 Hours
12 additional hours at 300+ level outside COM major
Major Requirements–21 Hours
Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement (COM 326 or 351)
9 hours COM 325+ level
9 hours COM 400+ level
Cognate–15 Hours
15 hours at 300+ level outside COM major
Emergency management directors prepare plans and procedures for responding to natural disasters or other emergencies. They also help lead the response during and after emergencies, often in coordination with public safety officials, elected officials, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$64,360
per year in 2017
Number of Jobs
10,500
in 2017
10 Year Job Outlook
700
new jobs (average)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Human resources managers plan, direct, and coordinate the administrative functions of an organization. They oversee the recruiting, interviewing, and hiring of new staff; consult with top executives on strategic planning; and serve as a link between an organization’s management and its employees.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$102,780
per year in 2017
Number of Jobs
122,500
in 2017
10 Year Job Outlook
10,800
new jobs (average)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Human resources specialists recruit, screen, interview, and place workers. They often handle other human resources work, such as those related to employee relations, compensation and benefits, and training.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$57,420
per year in 2017
Number of Jobs
482,000
in 2017
10 Year Job Outlook
22,000
new jobs (average)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Health educators teach people about behaviors that promote wellness. They develop and implement strategies to improve the health of individuals and communities. Community health workers collect data and discuss health concerns with members of specific populations or communities.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$42,450
per year in 2017
Number of Jobs
115,700
in 2017
10 Year Job Outlook
15,600
new jobs (average)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Medical and health services managers, also called healthcare executives or healthcare administrators, plan, direct, and coordinate medical and health services. They might manage an entire facility, a specific clinical area or department, or a medical practice for a group of physicians. Medical and health services managers must direct changes that conform to changes in healthcare laws, regulations, and technology.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$92,810
per year in 2017
Number of Jobs
333,000
in 2017
10 Year Job Outlook
56,300
new jobs (average)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Meeting, convention, and event planners coordinate all aspects of events and professional meetings. They arrange meeting locations, transportation, and other details.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$46,490
per year in 2017
Number of Jobs
100,000
in 2017
10 Year Job Outlook
9,900
new jobs (average)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$110,660
per year in 2017
Number of Jobs
376,300
in 2017
10 Year Job Outlook
19,000
new jobs (average)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise social service programs and community organizations. They manage staff who provide social services to the public.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$62,740
per year in 2017
Number of Jobs
138,500
in 2017
10 Year Job Outlook
13,200
new jobs (average)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Training and development managers plan, direct, and coordinate programs to enhance the knowledge and skills of an organization’s employees. They also oversee a staff of training and development specialists.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$101,930
per year in 2017
Number of Jobs
32,900
in 2017
10 Year Job Outlook
2,300
new jobs (average)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Training and development specialists plan, conduct, and administer programs that train employees and improve their skills and knowledge.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$57,340
per year in 2017
Number of Jobs
252,600
in 2017
10 Year Job Outlook
18,900
new jobs (average)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
There are countless ways to “see blue.” on campus, but the best way to maximize your journey at the University of Kentucky is by engaging in an Education Abroad opportunity.
This will allow you to gain a global perspective and enhance future employability. As you take the first step towards investing in your future, we encourage you to take advantage of all the opportunities UK has to offer. Take a look at some of the options UK Education Abroad & Exchanges office suggests to complement your major! #SeeBlueAbroad
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College of Communication and Information
College of Communication and Information
Office of Student Services
107 Grehan Journalism Building
