Speech Communication

The Speech Communication program prepares students for professional lives that involve direct communication in many contexts as well as for the possibility of continuing to graduate school. Students are exposed to the broader field of human communication with additional emphasis placed on how communication functions within the Global Black Diaspora. In addition, students majoring in a wide variety of fields may choose Speech Communication as a minor.

What can you do with a degree in Speech Communication? Many professions hire speech communication graduates, especially in those professions for which individual or group communication skills are critical. Career opportunities include, but are certainly not limited to the following.

Education - Though teaching at the secondary or college level is a traditional career choice, other education options include public information, school administration, alumni affairs, admission, placement, recruiting and more.

Public Relations and Advertising options include publicists, media relations, public affairs, fundraising and development and special events planning, among others.

Arts, Sports and Entertainment Industries use speech communication graduates in such jobs as consulting, directing convention and tourism bureaus and event planning. Recording companies and film studios use the skills speech majors bring. Professional sports teams need people skilled in public relations, media relations, promotions and more.

Business careers not only include corporate public affairs, stockholder/investor relations, consumer relations and public information, they also include labor relations, mediation, negotiation, organizational communication consulting, human resources, training directors and directors of diversity, among others.

Government uses speech writers, public affairs specialists, legislative assistants, lobbyists, researchers, media directors and others. Though politicians are only sometimes speech graduates, their speech writers, campaign managers, media advisors, political consultants and other staff members often are. The diplomatic service is also open to speech communication graduates. Communication experts could also join the armed forces, law enforcement and intelligence services.

Medical Institutions, especially in the field of Health Communication, are open to speech graduates. Hospitals, medical schools and HMO's use public relations and public affairs specialists, legislative lobbyists and human resources personnel, along with health communication consultants, patient relations directors and more. In addition, relations with agencies like the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control call for the communication skills that speech graduates have.

Law Schools see speech communication as an excellent major in preparation for law school because of the speaking, research, argumentation, advocacy, persuasion, organizational and other skills taught in the major.