BA/BS in Communication and Media Studies

Communication at Christopher Newport is a Bachelor of Arts housed in the College of Social Sciences. Students study how messages shape public life, covering speaking, interpersonal exchange, media, and rhetoric. The major begins with foundation courses in public speaking and in media culture, then moves into theory courses where students choose among critical media, rhetorical, or interpersonal approaches. Research methods follow, with a choice between media, rhetorical, quantitative, or qualitative study, and a senior research project closes the sequence. Eighteen further credit hours of communication electives let students shape their own emphasis, with most at upper level. A minor is also available for students majoring elsewhere. Graduates pursue roles such as event coordination, human resources, journalism, lobbying, and social media management. Students are encouraged to meet an advisor early to plan their courses across semesters.