Ideas Meet Impact
Master the art of storytelling, strategic thinking and effective communication. Through hands-on experiences, you'll learn to craft compelling messages, build meaningful connections and prepare for careers in media, public relations, marketing, corporate communications and beyond.
Why earn your Communication degree at St. Edward’s?
Located in the heart of Austin, there are ample opportunities to gain hands-on experience and apply your communication skills. Our faculty creatively integrate their scholarly research, public engagement, and expertise in communication with a wide range of interests and disciplines in their work with students.
Faculty Mentorship
Guidance Beyond the Classroom
At St. Edward's, you'll work closely with faculty who know your goals and challenge you to grow. Their mentorship, industry insight and personalized support help you develop the confidence and experience to thrive after graduation.
Career Outcomes
Skills That Open Doors
Strong communication skills are among the most sought-after by employers. Combined with a supportive alumni network and hands-on experience, you'll graduate ready to lead conversations, solve problems and build meaningful careers in virtually any field.
Networking Opportunities
Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
The Public Relations Student Society of America is all about making connections. Our PRSSA chapter provides out-of-the-classroom experiences that give students enhanced knowledge of the public relations field. Members have access to exclusive internships and job postings, networking events with local professionals, personalized agency and corporation tours and fun social events.
Academic Excellence
Lambda Pi Eta (LPH)
Lambda Pi Eta is the National Communication Association’s official honor society at four-year colleges and universities. With more than 450 active chapters nationwide, LPH recognizes, fosters and rewards scholastic achievement, stimulates interest in the field of communication, and promotes professional development and interest in graduate studies among communication majors.
Life as a Communication Student at St. Edward's University
Communication is about more than learning to speak and write—it's about connecting with people and making an impact. At St. Edward's, you'll collaborate with classmates, learn from supportive faculty and gain hands-on experience through media projects, presentations, internships and community partnerships. From campus to the city of Austin, you'll develop the skills, confidence and professional network to launch your career.
A Highly Successful Communication Program
Austin is home to global brands, innovative startups, nonprofits, media organizations and public agencies—all seeking talented communicators. Through internships, Career Treks, faculty expertise and industry connections, St. Edward's Communication students graduate ready to turn ideas into impact wherever their careers take them.
Frequently Asked Questions about a Communication Degree from St. Edward's University
What Will You Learn?
As a Communication major, you’ll begin by studying the principles of communication, but you’ll also become adept at applying them — so you can take your skills to a Fortune 500 company, fledgling nonprofit or buzzing startup.
A few examples of courses students take in the major:
- In Public Relations for Nonprofit Organizations, you’ll learn the public relations process by creating your own project for an Austin client.
- In Communication and Popular Culture, you’ll analyze a pop-culture event occurring in the Austin community.
- In Rhetoric and Public Memory, you’ll study monuments and memorials around campus and around Austin. You’ll analyze what they communicate about the population’s values and power structure.
What skills will you gain?
Upon completing the Communication program, you’ll be ready to…
- Gain the ability to craft compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.
- Participate actively in the communication revolution, wielding the power of narrative to navigate the complexities of the modern world and drive positive change.
- Listen and speak effectively, embrace multiple viewpoints, and discover shared values.
- Understand human connections and relationships.
- Analyze persuasive communication’s role in driving positive change by examining impactful speeches, influences and media trends in public relations and advertising.
- Use persuasive techniques, message crafting and audience analysis to navigate our interconnected world.
- Critically examine language, imagery, symbols and media’s influence in shaping perception and societal change through critical media studies.
- Actively shape contemporary discourse and communication practices.
What do our graduates do?
Communication majors go on to a variety of careers (PDF) and graduate schools from St. Edward’s. Here’s a sample:
- Launched a growing nonprofit for hearing and vision screenings
- Landed the prestigious Alfred Fleishman Diversity Fellowship at FleishmanHillard
- Emmy Award winner for coverage of a Pittsburgh water main break that grew into a water crisis
- Technical writer at leading employment search engine and Austin company Indeed
- Director of Marketing and Communications for a Bay Area nonprofit
- Broker for a real estate investment firm
- Created a cancer foundation to provide financial support to families impacted by cancer
- Co-wrote and co-directed a film which earned a Grand Jury award at SXSW
- Movie prop master in New York City
- Law school graduate
- Marketing executive in the music industry
Find what you need to apply and important deadlines. When you are ready, there are three ways for you to apply to St. Edward’s:
Add St. Edward’s to your list of schools if you’re using the Common Application to save time applying to your top colleges.
If you are applying to multiple schools in Texas, you can use ApplyTexas whether you’re a Texas resident or not.
Freshman ApplyTexas Application
It’s easy to apply using our convenient online application.
Degree Plan
Major Requirements: Bachelor of Arts with a major in Communication requires 45 hours of major courses. Students complete five “core” communication courses, totaling 15 hours. Students will also choose from one of four concentrations totaling 30 hours.
- Public Relations and Advertising
- Relational Communication
- Critical Media Studies
- Communication Influence and Diversity
General Education Requirements: The Communication degree requires 43 hours of general education courses that students complete over four years in addition to their major courses and electives.
View and download the full degree plan for our Communication major (PDF).
The Communication minor is designed as a broad-based introduction to the discipline of Communication as well as an opportunity for students to explore—in more depth—a specific concentration. Students who wish to earn a Communication minor must take the following coursework, totaling 18 hours.
Required Courses
- Introduction to Communication – COMM 1306
- Interpersonal Communication – COMM 2312
Elective Courses
Choose 12 elective hours in communication; at least nine of these hours must be level 3000 or higher.
Are you a current student? Contact your advisor for next steps in declaring your major or minor.
Health Communication Minor
The Communication department offers a minor in Health Communication. For more information, please view the Health Communication minor webpage.
Careers
Communication majors go on to a variety of careers (PDF) and graduate schools from St. Edward’s. Here’s a sample:
- Launched a growing nonprofit for hearing and vision screenings
- Landed the prestigious Alfred Fleishman Diversity Fellowship at FleishmanHillard
- Emmy Award winner for coverage of a Pittsburgh water main break that grew into a water crisis
- Technical writer at leading employment search engine and Austin company Indeed
- Director of Marketing and Communications for a Bay Area nonprofit
- Broker for a real estate investment firm
- Created a cancer foundation to provide financial support to families impacted by cancer
- Co-wrote and co-directed a film which earned a Grand Jury award at SXSW
- Movie prop master in New York City
- Law school graduate
- Marketing executive in the music industry
Student Organizations
Get involved with student productions in whatever medium interests you most.
- Hilltop Views, the weekly student newspaper, is published both in print and online. Student journalists report news from the campus and greater Austin community. You can get involved as early as your freshman year as a writer, editor, photographer or designer.
- Sorin Oak Review is a literary magazine that showcases the poetry, prose and artwork of St. Edward’s students. Working on the editorial staff is a great way to gain experience in project management and the practical details of putting together a publication.
- Arete is a student-produced academic journal that publishes student-written research, nonfiction essays and commentary. Editors choose from among the dozens of submissions to create a cohesive journal that represents a variety of perspectives.
- New Literati publishes both creative and academic work.
- B. Hooved is the student humor journal, inspired by our Hilltopper goat mascot.
- Topper Radio is the student-run radio station.
- Topper Studios is the digital media club. Members are involved in creating podcasts, YouTube channels, short films, music videos and comedy sketches, and helping their fellow students produce digital content. Students in Topper Studios also frequently make promotional videos for other clubs at St. Edward’s.
The Digital Media Center in the Munday Library is a resource for creating your own content and learning new skills. Here, you can produce and edit videos, podcasts and visual design projects with the help of your fellow students. The lab is equipped with top-of-the-line computers running the latest software including the Adobe Creative Suite. It also has a group editing/podcasting room, a green screen room and a “whisper room” used for voiceovers. If you are skilled at software, hardware repair, graphic design or video editing, you can apply to work in the lab as a digital media specialist.
Yes. With our Accelerated Graduate Pathways, you can complete your BA in Communication and master’s degree in as little as five years, saving time and money. See details and requirements.
- BA in Communication (non-PR) to Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- BA in Communication (PR/ADV) to Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- BA in Communication to MS in Digital Marketing and Analytics
Success coaches and academic advisors guide you through undergraduate and graduate courses to maximize benefits. Learn about all of our Accelerate Graduate Pathway
At St. Edward’s, our faculty are outstanding scholars, thought leaders, teachers and mentors who bring energy and enthusiasm to our vibrant learning community. They take pride in getting to know you, helping you achieve your goals and celebrating your successes.
View a list of our faculty members and their contact information on the Department of Communication webpage.
Preparing for Your Future in Communication
A future in communication is a future built on connection, creativity and influence. Whether you're informing audiences, shaping brands, leading organizations or advocating for meaningful change, a Communication degree from St. Edward's prepares you to communicate with purpose and make an impact wherever your career leads.
Making an Impact
Meet the students, alumni and faculty shaping the future of communication at St. Edward's University. Whether they're crafting compelling stories, building brands, engaging communities or leading meaningful conversations, their experiences show how a St. Edward's education prepares graduates to make an impact wherever their careers take them.