Communication Studies University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Overview

The Communication Studies programme at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln provides students with a deep understanding of how verbal and nonverbal messages shape relationships and societies. This academic course focuses on mastering the essential intellectual capacities required to advocate, negotiate, and relate in professional and civic life.

Students engage with a curriculum rooted in social science and humanistic research, examining the production and influence of messages across personal and global contexts. The department offers a flexible structure where learners can follow general requirements or select specific emphasis areas to tailor their education to their career goals.

The learning outcomes ensure that graduates can articulate communication as a complex process and apply theoretical concepts to modern challenges.

Why Communication Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

The university hosts a nationally-recognised speech and debate programme, offering students the chance to compete in intercollegiate events at local, regional, and national levels. This prestigious initiative is open to all students in good standing, regardless of their previous experience in forensics or public speaking.

Facilities include the Academic and Career Advising Centre in Oldfather Hall, which serves as a central hub for student support and professional coaching. Dedicated career coaches help students identify internships and research opportunities, ensuring that academic preparation is complemented by significant real-world experience.

The College of Arts and Sciences emphasises a powerful network of faculty and staff committed to student success. Through partnerships and experiential learning requirements, the institution prepares graduates to contribute effectively to an increasingly technological and interdisciplinary world.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 30330 per year
• National fee: USD 30330 per year
• Local fee: USD 11100 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

• Communication in the 21st Century
• Rhetoric, Media, and Civic Life
• Interpersonal Communication
• Communication Studies Capstone
• Social Scientific Research Methods in Communication Studies
• Rhetorical Methods in Communication Studies
• Public Speaking
• Debate
• Communication, Advocacy, and Global Citizenship
• Business and Professional Communication
• University Speech and Debate Seminar
• Practicing Intergroup Dialogue
• Organising Social Change
• Communication and Popular Culture
• Intercultural and Intergroup Communication
• Argumentation
• The Empathy Project
• Freedom of Speech
• Rhetoric of the American Presidency
• Rhetorics of Race and Empire
• Health Communication
• Community and Identity in the Digital Age
• Paranoia and Polarization in Digital Culture
• Dialogue Across Difference
• Communication, Medicine, and Health Equity
• Indigenous Communication
• Communication and Aging
• Family Communication
• Communication in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
• Communication and Leadership
• Narratives and Health
• Mental Health Communication: Communication, Stigma & (Dis)Connection
• Theories of Persuasion
• Gender and Communication
• Organizational Communication
• Rhetorical Theory
• Political Communication
• Rhetoric of Sports and Games
• Media and Culture
• Communicating Global Health
• Feminist Media Studies
• Communication and Consent
• Communication and Social Identity
• Interpersonal Communication Theory
• The Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication
• Voices of Dissent and Activism

Careers with Communication Studies

Graduates from this programme have secured diverse roles such as Executive Assistants, Territory Managers, and Child and Family Services Specialists. Others have found success as Behavioral Health Specialists, Human Resources Generalists, and Coordinators of Student Athlete Development.

The degree prepares individuals for employment in various sectors, including healthcare, law, education, and government. Notable employers of recent alumni include Bryan Health, Sandhills Global, United States Government, and various educational institutions like Lincoln East High School.

Many students also progress to advanced study at prestigious institutions, pursuing Juris Doctor degrees or Master’s degrees in fields such as Business Analytics, International Studies, and Occupational Therapy. The transferable skills gained ensure readiness for competitive graduate school environments.