Communication is one of the fastest growing majors in the College of Arts and Letters. Our emphasis areas within the program produce creative, culturally aware, highly effective, communicators. Our student-centered approach is a synthesis of theoretical and applied learning providing a dynamic, conceptual grounding for lifelong learning and career flexibility.
Program Highlights
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Our program offers diverse courses that give students research and insight in the following areas: Communication Studies: Relating Across the Life Span, Professional Communication, Strategic Communication, Media Studies and Cinema and TV Production
Careers
Check out these ideas from ODU's Center for Career & Leadership Development and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Training and Development Specialists
Design and conduct training and development programs to improve individual and organizational performance. May analyze training needs.
Producers
Plan and coordinate various aspects of radio, television, stage, or motion picture production, such as selecting script, coordinating writing, directing and editing, and arranging financing.
Community Health Workers
Assist individuals and communities to adopt healthy behaviors. Conduct outreach for medical personnel or health organizations to implement programs in the community that promote, maintain, and improve individual and community health. May provide information on available resources, provide social support and informal counseling, advocate for individuals and community health needs, and provide services such as first aid and blood pressure screening. May collect data to help identify community health needs.
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.
Alumni Careers
Requirements
Transfer
At ODU, we understand that as a transfer student you have unique needs that require a wide array of campus resources. The Center for Advising Administration and Academic Partnerships aims to create a transfer inclusive culture that supports the successful...
Featured Courses
An overview of communication theory and research examining verbal and nonverbal communication between men and women. Topics include communication differences as a function of gender, theories that seek to explain these differences, and prescriptions for change: 'the hope of androgyny.' This is a writing intensive course. Prerequisites: Junior standing, COMM 200S, and a grade of C or better in ENGL 211C or ENGL 221C or ENGL 231C, or permission of the instructor.
This course focuses on writing for television news and producing online news reports. Students will strengthen their journalistic skills and learn the importance of writing clearly for a viewing audience while working under newsroom deadlines. By the end of the course, students should feel confident in producing accurate, detailed reports for television news and online news sites. Prerequisites: ENGL 110C and ENGL 211C.
This writing-intensive course will provide students with a concrete, real-world strategic communications experience in writing for various media to enhance the communication program of an organization. Students will research and write for print, broadcast, social, and digital media like video and electronic newsletters. Prerequisite: grade of C or better in ENGL 211C or ENGL 221C or ENGL 231C; COMM 303 recommended.
Cost
Estimated rates for the 2024-25 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Other fees are assessed for special services and certain academic programs. Anyone that is not a current Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.
Ways to Save
Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ODU. For more information visit University Student Financial Aid.
Scholarships
The Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Endowed Scholarship Fund acknowledges excellence in spoken and written communications using the English language. The recipient must be a rising junior or senior with a declared major in English or Communications with a 3.50 grade point average and recommended by the department chair and dean. The Bruce T. and Sarah Bishop Endowed Scholarship was established to assist a full-time student in the College of Arts and Letters who has a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, demonstrates financial need, and demonstrates evidence of involvement in student activities. (FAFSA) The Linda H. and Edward Bradley Endowed Scholarship was established to assist an undergraduate student in the College of Arts and Letters with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who is eligible for the Federal Pell grant. (FAFSA) The College of Arts and Letters General Scholarship was established to assist a full-time student in the College of Arts and Letters. The Drewry Family Endowed Scholarship was established in 2004 by William B. Drewry to be given to a declared undergraduate majoring in the College of Arts and Letters. The recipient must be academically average with a grade point average between 2.8 and 3.0. Preference will be given to a student with financial aid. (FAFSA) The R.K.T. “Kit” Larson Scholarship is made possible by an endowment established in memory of Mr. Larson by his friends and colleagues of The Virginian-Pilot newspaper. The scholarship is awarded to a junior or senior with financial need who is enrolled full-time and works on a school, community or University publication. Recipient must be a resident of a Virginia or North Carolina city or county served by The Virginian-Pilot. (FAFSA) The Memorial and Recognition Scholarship Fund is an endowed scholarship that will be awarded to a student with a minimum grade point average of 3.00 and is able to demonstrate involvement in community service.
Contact
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