*Regardless of communication major of interest, choose "Communication (pre)" on the undergraduate admission application.
The Communication curriculum begins with a thorough introduction to the historical, philosophical, and theoretical foundations upon which all communication activity is based. Students begin in Pre-Communication, and after successfully completing three required Pre-Communication courses with a 3.0 GPA or higher, may proceed to the upper-level General Communication major or select a major in:
- General communication* - instead of focusing on a particular area, students may choose to study communication in general.
- Corporate communication* - focuses on the theory, concepts, and skills necessary to understand how communication functions in and between organizations; provides background in organizational development, communication training, personnel placement and assessment, supervision and management, labor relations, or internal communication systems development.
- Human relations* - develops students' ability to analyze communication context, solve communication difficulties, and build productive relationships - both personal and professional. The concentration includes courses focused on managing conflict, providing support, leading and influencing others, and presenting oneself effectively.
- Mass communication* - includes courses in professional and journalistic writing and news as strategic communication; the symbols created by mass communication and the role of mass media in society; and the translation of theory into media production in telecommunication areas such as video production, editing, and programming.
- Public relations and rhetorical advocacy* - includes topics in PR (persuasion, public relationships, and image repair); advertising theory and practice; reasoning, persuasion, and controversy; and the inter-related PR and advertising areas of a public communication campaign.
Points of Pride:
- The Brian Lamb School of Communication at Purdue is consistently ranked among the top programs in America in The Gourman Report.
- Communication majors are encouraged to take advantage of internship and study abroad opportunities, and their curriculum and faculty support these important experiential enrichment opportunities.
- Fast Track and Fast Track te Informa are Purdue University's student news magazines. Students and faculty produce and create all shows, which are aired on Comcast.