The curriculum integrates theory and practice and is used as a model by colleges and universities nationwide. Following an extensive external review in 2007, the reviewers commented, ?The department has an outstanding faculty, each member of which holds the appropriate terminal degree from a first-class research university. The quality of the faculty is superior when compared to faculty at most small, liberal arts colleges.? The Department of Communication is housed in the state-of-the-art Martha Miller Center for Global Communication, where students have the opportunity to use video production, journalism, speech and research facilities.

Communication knowledge and skills are essential for personal success and for full participation in a complex and rapidly changing democratic society. Communication competence incorporates a number of learning goals often identified as important by employers and graduate schools.

The communication major curriculum is designed to provide a balanced education emphasizing theoretical understanding and skill development across all significant communication contexts. A student typically enters the program through any one of four introductory courses (101, 140, 151, 160). It is assumed that majors will progress through the course offerings chronologically, from 100-level to 300- and 400-level courses.