Northern Illinois University
Department of Communication
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Communication is the study of how messages and meanings are generated and shared in various aspects of life: interpersonally, professionally, and across media platforms. Communication is one of the critical components of the baccalaureate education, and is essential to career success.

Our program is based on a theoretical understanding of communication, critical analysis of messages, and the acquisition of both interpersonal and mediated skills for effective communication.

Students of communication studies learn to analyze written, oral, visual and digital messages from historical, critical, and social science perspectives. They also learn to produce such messages as a means of artistic and functional expression. 

We offer programs for both B.A. and B.S. degrees in communication studies. As a communication studies major, you can focus on a single emphasis or pursue a combination of the following emphases:

• Advocacy and public communication
• Media studies
• Organizational/corporate communication

You may pursue a double major in communication studies and journalism.

We offers courses in the following General Education Pathways:

• Health and Wellness
• Learning
• Social Justice and Diversity
• Sustainability

Some of our lower-division courses can be taken by non-majors toward the university's general education program and interdisciplinary minors such as global studies, LGBT studies, and women's and gender studies.