Major Mondays: Communication
Major: The Bachelor of Arts in Communication is housed in the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. In this major, students gain a theoretical framework and critical understanding for how messages — from interpersonal to mass media — are informed, created, distributed, received, and understood. This major is available both to first-year and transfer applicants.
Overview: Communication is a diverse major that allows students to tailor coursework to their specific interests. The topics offered in the Communication include Entertainment, Economics, Law, Advertising, Sports, Popular Culture, Technology, Politics, Health, Social Change, and Environmentalism. This allows students to become effective communicators in whichever professional field they want to pursue. Whether you are interested in popular culture as a vessel for social change, or how to effectively execute health campaigns, the major is extremely flexible for those who want to intersect interests or focus their education.
Notable Research: One of the most popular opportunities in this major is the chance to work as a researcher with the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative is the leading think tank in the world studying diversity and inclusion in entertainment through original research and sponsored projects. Student researchers perform content analysis research by watching 8-10 hours of content a week and collecting data on the diversity demographics of characters on the screen. This data is then compiled into reports that analyze the diversity reflected in content and suggest steps on how to improve equity and diversity in media portrayals.
Unique Academic Opportunities:
Progressive Degree Program (PDP): USC Annenberg offers the following Communication progressive master’s degrees in Communication Data Science (MS) and Communication Management Digital Social Media (MS). The USC Progressive Degree Program enables USC undergraduates to apply for and begin work on a master’s degree while completing the requirements for the bachelor’s degree. After earning the bachelor’s degree, PDP students transition fully into their master’s degree program.
Study Abroad: Plenty of study abroad opportunities are also available for Communication majors with the opportunity to go to Australia, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong. Students can spend their semester studying news, social movements, popular culture, and much more. Students can also spend their Spring Break in Atlanta, Georgia or Mexico City through the Spring Break Career Immersions exploring most dynamic and influential media hubs in the world.
Want to Learn More?
Interested in majoring in Communication? Please check out the program’s website, where you can read more about the curriculum and courses offered and explore if Communication is the right major for you!
Written by: Emily Marroquín, USC Student Ambassador