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Communication (multiple concentrations)

Purdue University in West Lafayette

The Brian Lamb School of Communication curriculum prepares students for careers in public relations, social media, broadcast media, political persuasion, and health campaigns, just to name a few. Students start as "pre-communication" because all new students take the same set of core courses to get a good foundation in some of the basics of communication studies. After successfully completing these three required courses with a 2.67 GPA or higher, students proceed to the upper-level Communication major and choose from one of the following eight concentrations:


  • Media and Mass Communication - students create content, write, and produce for various media, from traditional media to various online media.
  • Public Relations and Strategic Communication - students work in teams with nonprofit clients on PR projects. They can also be part of the award-winning student PR agency, Boiler Communication.
  • General Communication - students assemble their own selection of courses. 
  • Business Communication - highlights team processes, decision-making, and social network analysis.
  • Health Communication - students work with healthcare providers and health campaigns.
  • Communication of Science and Technology - students learn to translate technical information for broader audiences.
  • Interpersonal Communication - students focus on managing conflict, supporting, and influencing others. 
  • Political and Civic Communication - students apply theories to the practice of public decision-making.

Both inside and outside classrooms, Lamb School students have opportunities to apply career-oriented skills. Our students write, produce, edit, and host content for The Purdue Channel. In our award-winning student-run agency, Boiler Communication, students work with clients on meaningful communication campaigns with real-world impact and earn credit toward their degrees. In other classes, students work in teams with local nonprofits to get real-world experience in public relations and other communication fields. And Lamb School Co-curricular Engagement prepares students for their careers by extending the classroom curriculum by adding engaging experiences through different opportunities like student organizations, internships, and mentorships with Lamb School alums.

One of the greatest strengths of the communication program is its international opportunities. Students take advantage of communication-specific study abroad and internship programs (both short-term and full-semester) in diverse locations regularly offered such as London, England, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth, Australia, Copenhagen, Denmark, Siena, Italy, and Singapore.

A communication major with any of the eight concentrations can be completed in just three years.  

Degree in 3

Motivated, driven students can complete this major in three years. Degree in 3 allows students to enter the workforce or graduate school a year earlier while also providing a cost-effective way to complete an undergraduate degree. Degree in 3 offers a great combination of cost savings and the opportunity to achieve goals a little sooner.

Plan of Study

Communication (multiple concentrations) Webpage

Transfer to Communication (multiple concentrations)

Purdue admits to individual majors. Transfer students must meet Purdue's overall transfer criteria, as well as any major-specific requirements. Before you apply, check the closed programs page to confirm this major is open to transfer students. If it is, refer to the information below for major-specific transfer criteria.

Minimum GPA: 2.5


Contact Information

Undergraduate Student Recruitment Office
(765) 494-6291
newstudent@purdue.edu

College of Liberal Arts
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Careers in Communication (multiple concentrations)

  •   Sales
  •   Public Relations
  •   Reporting
  •   Marketing
  •   Management
  •   Lobbying
  •   Attorney
  •   Advertising
  •   Higher Education
  •   Social Services

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