Communication Studies
Bachelor's, Transfer Pathway
PROGRAM SNAPSHOT
Speak up. Think critically. Connect with others in ways that move the world forward.
Why Study Communication Studies at Winona State?
Communication is one of the most powerful skills you can have. It’s how ideas spread, movements grow, and communities come together.
From viral social media campaigns to conversations at the kitchen table or workplace, communication shapes our world constantly.
Communication Studies is all about learning how messages work and how you can use them to inspire people, solve problems, and make a real impact.
At Winona State, the Communication Studies major gives you the freedom to tailor your degree based on your interests and career goals.
You might explore topics like social media influence, leadership, cultural communication, or advocacy.
Along the way, you’ll learn how to analyze real-world situations, lead meaningful discussions, and communicate ideas clearly and confidently.
These skills open doors in careers across business, health care, non-profits, media, and more.
The best part? Whether you want to manage a team, run campaigns, share valuable information, or advocate for causes you care about, communication gives you the tools to do it.
If you’re curious about people, passionate about ideas, and want a degree that can take you in many directions, Communication Studies could be a great fit.
This program is available through the Communication & Media Department.
The journey Samantha Dischinger ’25 had from a community college to Winona State was more than just a transfer—it was a transformation.
Through campus involvement and real-world experiences tied to her Communication Studies major and Adventure Education minor, she developed confidence and leadership skills.
Read Samantha’s Story
available annually to Communication Studies majors of all levels through the WSU Foundation.
What Will You Learn as a Communication Studies Major?
As a Communications Studies major, you’ll learn how to influence decisions by building sound arguments and speaking persuasively.
You’ll also:
- practice techniques to help people share their perspectives and engage in constructive conversations.
- analyze how cultural differences influence communication in relationships, workplaces, organizations, and online spaces.
- explore social media trends and how platforms can shape marketing strategies and public attitudes.
You can further customize this program with 15 elective credits. In addition to your core classes, you can dive into topics like nonverbal communication, gendered communication styles, the ethics for talking about disability, and more.
Aside from major- or minor-specific requirements, you’ll need to complete additional requirements through the General Education Program (GEP) to earn your degree from Winona State University.
Learn More about the GEP
Program Highlights
On Campus
As a Communication Studies major, you’ll complete a variety of projects.
You could find yourself organizing and hosting a public event that highlights unique perspectives on disability to celebrate disability culture.
You could also find yourself facilitating campus discussions about debatable topics—like AI in higher education, free speech on college campuses, and how universities can best address student mental health—to practice structuring conversations that incorporate different views.
These projects will give you valuable hands-on experience that will prepare you for your future career.
On top of your class projects, you can pursue research projects alongside a faculty mentor.
Students have previously conducted research by analyzing arguments made in popular movies and TV shows like “Euphoria,” “The Substance,” “Lady Bird,” and “Elemental.”
Other students have created surveys to better understand what influences college students to drink, what students’ relationships are like with their “helicopter parents,” and if social media use corresponds to mental health stigmas.
Exploring research is a great way to not only apply what you learn in the classroom but also further round out your resume.
Make a difference on campus and build your leadership skills by joining one of WSU’s all-university committees as a student representative.
Help shape communications strategies and policies with the Digital Communications Committee.
Or on the Disability & Accessibility Advocacy Committee, gain valuable experience advocating for processes and policies that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Want to meet like-minded students and explore communication studies?
Get involved in campus organizations that share your passion, like the Communication Studies Club.
Hone your public speaking skills in the Case Competition Club, Speech and Debate, Model United Nations, or WSU Undergraduate Mock Trial.
You can even join the Winona State Ambassadors Honorary to give guided campus tours.
With over 100 clubs and organizations, there’s something for everyone.
Beyond the Classroom
As a Communication Studies major, you can complete a 120-hour hands-on internship before you graduate.
Students in this program have interned in social media, special events, and marketing for companies like 100 Rural Women, Green Valley Greenhouse, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America.
This intensive field experience will give you supervised practice with real-world clients and organizations.
Apply what you learn in the classroom by traveling around the globe. At Winona State, you can earn credit that applies to your degree while exploring the world.
Get inspired by 10,000 brands at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France.
Learn how Germany used messaging to shift the political paradigm after the Nazi Regime. Or dive into the crossroads of cultures in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
You can also check out our more than 100 other study abroad programs across 40+ countries.
Hear from Alumni
Careers & Outcomes
Strong communicators are in demand because they bring people together, help communities tackle important issues, and turn big ideas into real change.
for Advertising Sales Agents
for Public Relations Specialists
for Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives
Learn more about what careers are possible with this major and where our alumni have gone after graduation.
Bachelor's, Transfer Pathway
Bachelor's, Transfer Pathway
Bachelor's, Transfer Pathway