Communication Studies

Hastings College communication studies alumni build careers in broadcasting, business, education, law, philosophy, politics, public relations, consulting, sports, health professions and many other related fields.

First employers for recent graduates

Archway Technology Partners (Denver, Colorado)
American Red Cross (Washington, D.C.)
Cardinal Group Management (Ames, Iowa)
Open Range Beef (Gordon, Nebraska)
Sojern (Omaha, Nebraska)
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Mary Lanning Healthcare

Build expertise in communication

Research shows communication is the most vital skill employers seek in new hires. With a Communication Studies major or minor at Hastings, you’ll build expertise and confidence in your communication skills while discovering how to analyze communication among people and within businesses and organizations. It’s the perfect combination to set you up for a successful career.

Graduate with experience

Communication Studies majors at Hastings College do a lot more than spend time in classrooms. You’ll be out in the community, testing theories you learn in class and the research you conduct with our outstanding faculty. Through these experiences, you’ll make connections and earn a quality internship.

From there you’ll have opportunities to write and present research papers at national conferences, excel as a member of our award-winning communication honorary, Lambda Pi Eta, and participate in activities that demonstrate to employers you have the skills necessary in today’s global and dynamic business environment.

At every step in your path you’ll appreciate the stepping stones of teaching, counseling, inspiring, supporting and guiding from our engaged faculty. It’s an experience that’s true to Hastings College and you won’t find it anywhere else.

Create your future

See for yourself how we tailor your education to your talents and your goals. Schedule a visit and we’ll demonstrate how Hastings will inspire you to reach your potential, or if you’re a high school senior, apply today.

Focus in your interest area

As Communication Studies major, you’ll take a set core set of classes to build your base and expertise. From there, you’ll appreciate our engaged faculty who take a thoughtful, intentional approach to personalize your educational experience with one of our emphasis areas.

Global Communication is an interdisciplinary study of communication across cultures, particularly in business and professional settings, where language and cultural barriers can impact efficiency.

Health Communication focuses on health-related professions and caregiving situations. This is a growing field in medical establishments and helps you create social change by shifting people’s attitudes and external structures.

Legal Communication pushes you to further develop skills relating to research, writing, argumentation and thinking quickly on your feet. This is a great emphasis area for those considering law school.

Organizational/Strategic Communication is one of the most cutting edge areas of Communication Studies. It sets you up to work in corporate businesses, non-profit agencies or government agencies to create effective messaging.

Sports Communication combines our curriculum, an internship or two and a senior research project to open the door to a career focused on athletics. This opens doors to everything from after school programs to fitness training to amateur or professional leagues to esports.

Communication Studies Generalist is where you pick a combination of all of the above to tailor your own program and pursue your own path.

Go further with a Hastings education

Thanks to our small class sizes (most have fewer than 20 students!), and a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1, you’ll work closely with faculty and your advisor to complete your degree in four years. In fact, most students who graduate from Hastings do so in four years!

Our block-style semester structure means you’ll take just one or two classes at a time — which really lets you focus more intently on each class. It also lets faculty devote more time to every student because they’re only teaching one or two classes in a block!

All the extras aren't extra

No-cost study abroad — During your second year on campus, you’ll spend a transformational two-week block studying abroad. And thanks to donors, you’ll experience this at no additional cost. France, Ireland, Peru, Spain, Honduras, the United Kingdom…where will you go?

Books included — Afraid of a $400 textbook? No more! We’ve eliminated the high cost of text books by working with our bookstore to provide all required textbooks. This will save you $1,000 or more each year.

iPad Pro + Apple Pencil — We’ll set you up with an iPad Pro and Apple Pencil — and help you learn how to best incorporate these tools into your studies. From digital notes (that you’ll never lose!) to pictures of lab setups, professors and students find creative, new ways to use this perfect combination of technology and teaching every semester!

Excel in graduate school

Recent Hastings College communication alumni have gone on to pursue master’s degrees and professional degrees at some of the top graduate and professional schools for their program:

Creighton University School of Law
Kansas State University
Georgetown Law School
Georgetown University
Northern Arizona State University
Minnesota State University
University of Nebraska
University of Iowa

Find scholarships for communication majors

Your high school achievements both fuel and fund your success at Hastings. We offer a range of generous and renewable academic scholarships based on your GPA and test scores. Plus talent scholarships for everything from speech (forensics) to the arts to athletics. The result? Every student receives at least $11,000 in scholarships (but most receive more!).