Communication

Frequently Asked Questions


 

What can I do with a communication degree?

The communication major prepares you for a variety of career opportunities as well as preparing you for graduate work. Such career opportunities include positions in management, human resources, marketing, sales, journalism, the law, advertising, public relations, human resources, non-profit organizations, politics, and with a graduate degree, university and community college teaching to name a few. The skills you can develop with a communication major, such as critical reading, thinking, writing and expression, appeal to employers. Surveys of employers and organizations report that these skills are what they are seeking when they hire new employees.
 

How do I become a Communication major?

You must be a student in good standing at WIU. This means that you need a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher to declare a major in Communication.
 

What are the requirements for a communication major?

As a communication major you must complete general education requirements, 42 credit hours of required and elective communication courses, and an approved minor. The five required core courses are:

  • COMM 130, Introduction to Communication
  • COMM 247, Argumentation and Debate
  • COMM 309, Communication Theory
  • COMM 310, Qualitative Research in Communication
  • COMM 311, Research Design in Communication

You will also need to select two sequences of study from rhetoric, persuasion, interpersonal communication, and organizational communication for your additional required communication courses. Learn more about the Undergraduate Program.
 

What minors are recommended?

Selecting a minor usually depends on your interests and career goals. Currently, WIU communication students have selected minors in over 35 different departments that include Spanish, French, English, Journalism, Broadcasting, History, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, Marketing, Women’s Studies, and African American Studies, to name a few. Please consult with Jennifer Grimm, the Communication Academic Advisor, who is knowledgeable of available minors and their specific requirements.
 

How large are the communication classes at WIU?

The typical class size for communication classes is between 24 and 35 students.
 

Are classes and programs available at the Quad Cities campus?

The Department of Communication offers the Communication major (B.A.), the Communication minor, and the Computer-Mediated Communication minor on both the WIU-QC and Macomb campuses.
 

What internship opportunities are available?

Internships are not required to graduate with a degree in communication, however, they are recommended and encouraged. Students can apply for an internship after completing 12 semester hours in the communication major. Internship sites have included Disney World, John Deere, Caterpillar, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the Illinois State Government, the Macomb Chamber of Commerce, many hospitals, advertising, and public relations firms located locally and within the State of Illinois. For more information about the internship program, please contact the internship coordinator, Stacey Macchi at SM-Macchi@wiu.edu or at 309-298-1794.
 

How do I apply to the Honors program?

Entering freshmen must have an ACT composite score of at least 28 to be admitted to the Centennial Honors College OR have a 26 or 27 composite ACT and be in the top 15 percent of their graduating class OR be in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class and have an ACT composite score of at least 24. Western students and transfer students with at least 12 semester hours are admitted if they have a grade point average of at least 3.3 up to 59 semester hours of undergraduate courses, and 3.4 for 60 hours or more. Learn more about the Communication Honors Program.
 

What scholarships are available?

The Department of Communication has several scholarship opportunities for students. Learn more on our scholarships page.