Global Communication - BA

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

About This Degree

The Global Communication major focuses students on building skills, attitudes, and knowledge as critical global citizens, competent intercultural communicators, and globally minded individuals.

We do this through a variety of methodological approaches including the social scientific study of public discourse, the humanist study of cultural texts, and the qualitative and quantitative study of intercultural exchanges.

The Global Communication degree at USU is unique. This program is the only four-year degree dedicated to a robust understanding of global communication in Utah, and it is one of only a handful of programs nationwide. The program specializes in giving the students tools to understand cultural systems and prepare them to work effectively and meaningfully in an increasingly global environment.

What You Will Learn

The Global Communication program prioritizes students’ goals and desires. The major invites students to identify their own priorities and offers a flexible structure to achieve their goals.

Students can choose to focus on an international or domestic intercultural experiential learning experience or classroom knowledge and skills development. Students can also choose between a non-English language track where they will build a competency in another language, or they specialize in a specific geographic location and context closer to their personal aspirations. Regardless of their choice, the program is structured so that all students achieve increased levels of:

  1. Intercultural Communication Competency: Students will leave the program understanding the fundamentals of communication and culture enabling them to communicate appropriately and effectively in a variety of cultural contexts.
  2. Global Mindedness: Students will demonstrate attitudes of curiosity and openness towards issues of human difference (e.g., cultural worldviews, values, norms, etc.).
  3. Critical Global Citizens: Students will learn how to assess and navigate ethically complex global communication. Students will exhibit insight into their connections with various global communities, particularly concerning disparities in global power dynamics.

Career And Outcomes

Career Opportunities

Since communication is a skill highly valued by employers, and communication is critical to many areas, Coomunication Studies majors can find careers in many areas.

Graduates from the program are also well-prepared for graduate school or law school. Some of the careers Communication Studies majors commonly pursue include:

  •          Communication consultant
  •          Management
  •          Marketing
  •          Employee relations
  •          Crisis management
  •          Event planner
  •          Speech writer
  •          Human resources specialist
  •          Hospitality manager
  •          Mediation (facilitates conversation that helps different organizations or companies agree)
  •          Negotiation (helps companies negotiate prices for services)

Job Outlook

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION AND ADVISING

Advising

We will build on your goals and experiences while working together to design an individualized semester-by-semester plan. Your personalized plan will help you see a path from where you are now on to graduation. Even if you are unsure of the major you would like to pursue, we can help with resources and ideas.

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USU Locations

LOGAN CAMPUS

Admission

Admission Requirements

Beyond Utah State University's admission requirements, the Global Communication program has additional requirements. Freshmen and Transfer students can be admitted into a "PPRU" major called the "Pre-Global Communication" major. The pre-requisites are as follows:

  • Freshmen:  New freshmen can be admitted into the Pre-Global Communication major before applying for Global Communication if they have a 2.5 GPA or higher. To be admitted into the full major, see the Admission requirements below.
  • Transfer Students:  Transfer students from other institutions and students transferring from other USU majors must have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher to be admitted into the PPRU major, Global Communication, see the Admission requirements below.

Students are encouraged to apply for the full major as early as possible in their academic career.  Application for admission into the full major, Global Communication, includes the following:

  • Completed admission application form.  On-line applications will be available on the LPCS main page of the USU LPCS website at least one month before the beginning of Fall or Spring semesters.
  • Plan for application deadlines to be around the 2nd week of Fall and Spring Semesters.
  • Admission to the Global Communication major will be limited to 20 students each year.
  • Admission decisions will be based on:
    • Academic record.
    • Realistic career or professional study objective.
    • Ability of this program to prepare the student for his/her intended career.
    • Satisfactory speaking and writing competencies.
    • Motivation and creativity demonstrated by class performance, work experience, volunteer    activities and other means offered by the student during the application process.

Students not admitted with their first application may apply the following year.  Students may not apply and graduate in the same semester.

International students have additional admissions requirements.

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