At A Glance

Examine human communication in both historical and contemporary contexts to understand the role communication plays in culture and commerce, and equip yourself for thoughtful, effective, and ethical communication in all fields.

Major

  • Communication

Minors 

View Degree Requirements

More Resources

Ready To Take the Next Step?

REQUEST INFO

Earn your Communication Degree at Carthage

At Carthage, we introduce you to the nature of human communication. We’ll help you discover the track that appeals most to you, but everyone will leave with a stronger, focused voice. And the world will listen.

While you will develop the skills required for your field, our goals go beyond technical proficiency. Students examine classical and contemporary theory as a foundation for a critical understanding of an increasingly mediated world.

  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,631,568/35769_Alaina_Azar_24.rev.1664390301.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,631,568/35769_Alaina_Azar_24.rev.1664390301.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,631,568/35769_Alaina_Azar_24.rev.1664390301.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/png" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,631,568/35769_Alaina_Azar_24.rev.1664390301.png 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,631,568/35769_Alaina_Azar_24.rev.1664390301.png 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,631,568/35769_Alaina_Azar_24.rev.1664390301.png" alt="Alaina Azar ?24" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,631,568/35769_Alaina_Azar_24.rev.1664390301.png 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,631,568/35769_Alaina_Azar_24.rev.1664390301.png 3x" data-max-w="631" data-max-h="568" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “Communication is very broad, so you can go many different ways after graduation. I would love to work in the sports communication field.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2074-alaina-azar">Alaina Azar</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/61/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2413,3200/34708_Megan_Christian_24.rev.1653671811.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/61/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2413,3200/34708_Megan_Christian_24.rev.1653671811.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/61/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2413,3200/34708_Megan_Christian_24.rev.1653671811.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/61/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2413,3200/34708_Megan_Christian_24.rev.1653671811.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/61/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2413,3200/34708_Megan_Christian_24.rev.1653671811.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/61/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2413,3200/34708_Megan_Christian_24.rev.1653671811.jpg" alt="Megan Christian ?24" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/61/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2413,3200/34708_Megan_Christian_24.rev.1653671811.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/61/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2413,3200/34708_Megan_Christian_24.rev.1653671811.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2413" data-max-h="3200" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “Other students should consider PR and communication as majors because there are a wide variety of jobs in both fields. At Carthage, these majors are especially enjoyable because you really get to know your professors and the people within your major.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/1879-">Megan Christian</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/191,38,2820,2668/39392_12762_171052831004161_1.rev.1711132953.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/191,38,2820,2668/39392_12762_171052831004161_1.rev.1711132953.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/191,38,2820,2668/39392_12762_171052831004161_1.rev.1711132953.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/191,38,2820,2668/39392_12762_171052831004161_1.rev.1711132953.JPG 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/191,38,2820,2668/39392_12762_171052831004161_1.rev.1711132953.JPG 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/191,38,2820,2668/39392_12762_171052831004161_1.rev.1711132953.JPG" alt="Gianna Feminis ?25" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/191,38,2820,2668/39392_12762_171052831004161_1.rev.1711132953.JPG 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/35/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/191,38,2820,2668/39392_12762_171052831004161_1.rev.1711132953.JPG 3x" data-max-w="2629" data-max-h="2630" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I knew I wanted a school with a small campus, and I felt comfortable at Carthage from the first time I visited.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2678-gianna-feminis">Gianna Feminis</a> ’25</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>

Abundant professional experiences in communication

The Carthage faculty actively support students in finding appropriate internships that challenge and extend their classroom learning. Carthage’s location in the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor — minutes from the corporate headquarters for such companies as SC Johnson, Jockey International, and Snap-On Tools — offers unique access to internships and jobs. Carthage students have recently held internships at such companies as Equity Creative, Remy Bumppo Theater, Weblinx, Pivot Design, WSSP The Fan, and Sports Radio.

All communication majors are expected to demonstrate their intellectual grasp of the discipline and their own artistic and communicative competencies by successfully completing the senior capstone seminar, which involves a major thesis, project, or exhibition.


Competitive advantage for communication majors

Matt Thome '17, who earned a communication degree, visiting a Crisis Communication class. As a Carthage communication major, you’ll develop excellent interpersonal communication, group problem-solving, creative thinking, and organization skills, making you more competitive in the job market, no matter your career path. Employers consistently rank communication as one of the top skills they look for in potential employees. Recent graduates have gained employment or pursued graduate studies in graphic design, public relations, media, journalism, sales, education, and law.

Carthage communication alumni hold positions with employers such as:

  • GFX International
  • Sacramento Kings
  • Sprint Corporation
  • CareerBuilder
  • Prudential Financial
  • Peace Corps

careers in communication

 

financial aid for Communication Majors

More than 90 percent of Carthage students receive financial aid. The Communication and Digital Media (CDM) Department holds an annual scholarship competition, with awards available to prospective communication, graphic design, and public relations majors. Recipients are chosen based on the application for admission and a portfolio review.

Apply for scholarships!

 

original research in communication

Research is built into the Carthage experience through the required senior thesis and options such as the paid Summer Undergraduate Research Experience. Students in the department have taken on projects such as “Modern Advertising Modes and the American Adolescent,” “Effects of Technology on Early Childhood Education,” and “Visual Persuasion in Political Imagery.”

research at Carthage