Communication
Overview
School of Arts and Sciences / Communication
Two weeks. That’s all it takes a Communication student to start getting career-building experience.
Communication students can follow a clear pathway to a career in the field: On-campus involvement with our student organizations coupled with classroom experiences shaped by our Think.Do. approach lead to high-quality internships, connections with alumni and other industry professionals, and career opportunities upon graduation. Within two weeks of coming to campus, you could start down this path.Major Concentrations
The variety of career options for communication majors is impressive. And to help prepare students for both flexibility and success within this ever-changing field, our program blends a common foundation in the field with specialized tracks to help prepare students for their chosen career. We don’t expect every student to know exactly which path they wish to follow on their first day of classes freshman year. Instead, we encourage our students to learn through hands on experience and in our Core Communication courses. Then, in their sophomore year students declare their chosen track. If students wish to switch their track or add a second track later in their college career, they may work with our faculty advisers to help make the process seamless and easy.
Media and Journalism
This track provides the knowledge and skills for students to pursue a variety of careers in the media industry, from creating entertainment programs to reporting news and sports for a variety print, broadcast, and online outlets.
Our curriculum focuses both on process and production to help students become well-rounded professionals who can adapt to the constantly changing mass media field. Options within the track allow students to pursue reporting or production. The track’s mission is to develop skilled, resourceful, ethical reporters and storytellers.
La Salle mass media and journalism alumni have landed jobs in a variety of media industries. Film editors, production assistants, independent film directors, radio producers, television news writers, on-air talent, reporters for various print news outlets, and online content and media managers are among the types of jobs in which mass media students can thrive. Our faculty and alumni network is wired throughout Philadelphia and national media organizations.
Public Relations
Public relations professionals build bridges to important publics that help organizations of all kinds thrive. Yes, public relations pros are often tapped to speak at press conferences when a crisis occurs. But the simple fact is that these communication professionals are vital to ensuring messages of all types are distributed to the public clearly and efficiently.
The Public Relations track at La Salle pairs expert faculty with innovative courses to provide students with the tools needed to succeed in this profession. Relationships with local and national organizations allow access to outstanding internship opportunities at places like the American Cancer Society, the Philadelphia Phillies, and a number of agencies with specialties ranging from crisis communication to online reputation development.
Interpersonal Communication
The Interpersonal Communication track provides students with the theoretical understanding and practical skills needed for success in interpersonal, group, and organizational communication.
Many La Salle alumni who have studied in the Communication and Social Interaction track have embarked on careers in corporate communication, law, fundraising, events planning, and training and development at healthcare and pharmaceutical companies, nonprofit organizations, and communication and media training firms.
This track’s coursework emphasizes how communication competence is achieved through analysis, problem solving, teamwork, and conflict management.
Selected Courses in this Major
Students enjoy a wide range of interesting and unique courses including:
Introduction to Digital Video (COM 208)
This is a hands-on course introducing fundamentals of effective audio and video production. Topics include:
- Application of pre-production, production, and post-production
- Emphasis on storytelling
- Audience research and planning
- Scheduling and proper resource application
- Fundamental audio and video production techniques
Persuasion, Power, and Influence (COM 312)
This course offers insight into the ways people and messages can influence decision making. Topics include:
- Persuasion theories
- Persuasion in interpersonal settings and mass-mediated campaigns
- Oral and written persuasion
- How to enhance your abilities as both consumer and practitioner
Group and Team Communication (COM 215)
This course introduces students to one of the most desirable skills for any job-seeker: the ability to work in teams. Topics include
- Developing effective group roles
- Effective (and ineffective) decision-making and problem-solving processes
- Communication and collaboration among team members
Video Editing (COM 368)
This class examines the techniques, equipment, and theories involved in creating compelling digital stories through editing. Features include:
- Study and critique of media samples
- Projects designed to increase editing skills
Public Relations Campaigns and Cases (COM 387)
This class examines award-winning campaigns and current cases so students can learn to create strategic public relations plans. Features include:
- The PR planning process
- Projects involving actual clients
“I took part in seven internships as a Communication major and honestly I can say that my job now is because of La Salle. Through my classes and my connections with professors, as well as the internships, I was able to get where I am today. I’m thankful for all the help I’ve had over the years.”
— Renee Washington, '14
Blaze Your Own Path
Career Paths
We’re proud of the thousands of alumni who have been through our communication program and then gone on to excel in a wide variety of fields and careers. From Emmy Award-winning TV anchors and producers to top PR executives and from journalists to lawyers and teachers, you’ll find La Salle alumni in every corner of the professional world. Read more about one of our featured alumni and browse a sample list of where our alums work today.
Graduates of the communication program have excelled in their careers becoming notable figures in news, media, film, and much more. Notable graduates include:
- Tom Curley, former President and CEO of The Associated Press and former president, publisher, and co-creator of USA Today
- Meg Kane, a Senior VP for Brian Communications who led the PR for the Pope’s visit to the US
- Matt DeLucia, an on-air reporter for NBC-10 Philadelphia
- Vittoria Woodill, on-air reporter for KYW CBS-3, Philadelphia
Internships
It’s no secret: Internships are today’s job prerequisites.
Simply put, employers want to hire graduates with real-world experience. Internships allow students to apply what’s learned in the classroom to what’s actually used in the field. And, no promises, but most of them are fun and exciting (and some of them are actually paid).
There are an infinite number of possibilities for aspiring communication professionals, and with La Salle’s internship connections, you have the opportunity to be right in the thick of the action.
Because Philadelphia is such a unique and robust market, internship opportunities come in many different forms. The City of Brotherly Love hosts all types of large scale events that give students the opportunity to gain experience. Events like the Papal Visit or the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament are incredible chances for students to get out there and get to work. We offer both the traditional three-credit internship for in-depth, semester-long experiences, and one-credit internships that take advantage of rich, short-term opportunities.
La Salle communication majors constantly leverage relationships our faculty and department have built with organizations for nearly 40 years. We partner with organizations that offer mutually beneficial internship programs whereby the organization can utilize another set of hands, while our students learn daily in challenging positions. (Getting coffee for the staff is not a “challenging” activity in our minds).
Sample internships include those at Johnson & Johnson, Comcast, and the Philadelphia Eagles, to name a few. And our reach has spread so far that we’ve had an intern work at the White House.
Program Highlights and Facilities
Students in the communication program will have their hand in all facets of the industry. They’ll learn skills like how to support arguments, tell stories, position an organization, and improve business relationships. Using our Think. Do. approach, we prepare our students to tackle their studies, internships, and eventually their career. Our program is unique in a number of ways. Some of the benefits include:
- Multiple program tracks give students the exposure and freedom to pursue their passions and shape their futures.
- Opportunities to showcase creative work. La Salle is the only college in the Philadelphia region to host Campus Movie Fest, the world’s largest student film competition. Several of our students have received recognition for their films at the annual event.
- Access to thousands of dollars in scholarships awarded to our communication students from professional organizations such as the Broadcast Pioneers, the Philly Ad Club, the Public Relations Society of America, and the Association of Women in Communication.
- A fully equipped television station that broadcasts through major cable providers Comcast and Verizon FIOS. The 65-member crew is comprised solely of students overseen by a professional station manager working to gain experience producing over 170 shows annually.
- Dedicated faculty who work side by side with students to discuss tough issues, problem solve, and develop communication strategies and tactics that work.
I am an Explorer
Ryan Wall, ’18
La Salle has prepared me by expanding my network to include the over 50,000 alumni around the world. These alumni are all #LaSalleProud and have always been eager to help undergraduate students like me. Especially in a field like public relations, knowing people is incredibly important. I’ve gotten several positions due to my La Salle network.
Brian Gelbach, ’19
Communication is a very broad major and allows students to really create their own path based off their interests. I have always been interested in the film and television industry as well as journalism, so Communication was the perfect choice.
Marianne Dainton, Ph.D.
Marianne Dainton (Ph.D. The Ohio State University) is a Professor of Communication at La Salle University in Philadelphia. She teaches interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, and communication theory. Marianne’s research focuses on relationship maintenance. She is the author of three books: Maintaining Relationships through Communication (co-edited with Dan Canary, published by LEA) and Applying Communication Theory […]
Ryan Wall, ’18
La Salle has prepared me by expanding my network to include the over 50,000 alumni around the world. These alumni are all #LaSalleProud and have always been eager to help undergraduate students like me. Especially in a field like public relations, knowing people is incredibly important. I’ve gotten several positions due to my La Salle network.
Name: Ryan Wall
Major: Communication (Tracks: Communication Management and Public Relations)
Minor: Latin American Studies
Graduation Year: May 2018
Hometown: Edison, N.J.
Sports/Clubs/Organizations: Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), La Salle TV, Ambassadors, Project Freedom, The Collegian, Catholic Relief Services, President’s Student Advisory Council. I work as an Admissions Campus Explorer (ACE) in the Admissions Department, student worker for the Events Department, and as a Writing Tutor.
How do you juggle all of the things on your plate as an active student?
I’m the type of person who thrives off of being busy, but it takes a lot of time to learn how to best prioritize everything. Time management is key to being a successful student, and it’s difficult for someone who is “Type A” like me to say no to an opportunity. However, during my time at La Salle, I’ve managed to learn when to lean in and when to take it slow and focus on myself. It also helps that all of my friends are involved as well, so being engaged on campus has a social function as well.
What helped you decide on your major?
As the child of a newspaper editor, I was always interested in communication. When I was younger, I used to write stories for my made-up newspaper and would “host” talk shows with my friends. As I grew up, I became fascinated by the interpersonal aspect of communication, involving how we send messages and the strategy behind crafting them. I’ve always loved writing, and I feel that my major allows me to be creative and challenge myself. I might not have always known what I wanted to do, but I always knew what I enjoyed, and Communication seemed like the logical choice.
What made you choose La Salle?
I chose La Salle because I thought it could be a good place to grow as a student, as a professional, and as an individual. In the past few years, I am amazed at how far I have come and how much I have benefited from the close-knit community at La Salle. This community extends beyond faculty: it’s a place where the workers in the dining halls know my name and the public safety officers will stop me to strike up a conversation. It’s made me more aware of the world around me while allowing me to see my community in a different light. La Salle is a place where people care about each other, and it’s impossible to replicate that support network.
How do you think La Salle is helping to prepare you for the future beyond college?
La Salle has prepared me by expanding my network to include the over 50,000 alumni around the world. These alumni are all #LaSalleProud and have always been eager to help undergraduate students like me. Especially in a field like public relations, knowing people is incredibly important. I’ve gotten several positions due to my La Salle network, including my summer internship in the Corporate Communication Department of KPMG, LLP (through Ann Marie Gorden, ’09), and in my current position at Brian Communications (through Rachel Breslin, ’15, and Meg Kane, ’03). The Communication Department is especially good at building these relationships by hosting events with alumni so we can build our connections and learn what to expect in our careers.
What has been one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned here at La Salle?
La Salle has taught me a lot, but the most important thing I have learned is the need for social justice and the dignity of each individual. I have had my eyes opened to some of the injustices certain populations face, and in doing so, I have become much more aware of how I can educate myself on these issues to enact change. La Salle has such a unique perspective on the necessity of giving back, and I am very fortunate that this altruism and compassion has been instilled in me by the faculty of La Salle, the Christian Brothers, and my fellow classmates.
Brian Gelbach, ’19
Communication is a very broad major and allows students to really create their own path based off their interests. I have always been interested in the film and television industry as well as journalism, so Communication was the perfect choice.
Name: Brian Gelbach
Major: Communication (Media and Journalism)
Minor: Marketing
Projected Graduation/Class Year: 2019
Hometown: Havertown, Pa.
Sports/Clubs/Organizations: Honors Board (President), The Masque, Improv 101, ACEs, Ambassadors, La Salle TV, Explorientation
What has your experience in La Salle’s program been like so far?
My experience as a Communication major has been very rewarding. I have gained hands-on experience with professional-level equipment and learned what a real-world work environment is like in the classroom. I have also been able to form close relationships with faculty that have further enhanced my education.
What helped you decide on your major?
I decided to major in Communication because I thought it presented an opportunity to gain insight into many areas of interest of mine at once. Communication is a very broad major and allows students to really create their own path based off their interests. I have always been interested in the film and television industry as well as journalism, so Communication was the perfect choice.
What made you choose La Salle?
I was very impressed by the community that existed at La Salle. Everyone seemed to know each other and were happy to see one another. The tight-knit feeling that flowed throughout the campus was something I was looking for in a university.
How do you think La Salle is helping to prepare you for the future beyond college?
La Salle has helped me prepare for my future by teaching me valuable skills like time management and teamwork. It has also prepared me by having courses specifically designed to show what the real world is like.
What is your advice to any high school students thinking about entering the Communication program at La Salle?
For students interested in entering the Communication program, I would definitely recommend it! I have learned a lot and made great friends. There is something for everyone to get involved with in the department, so everyone ends up feeling rewarded.
What has been one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned here at La Salle?
I’ve learned that putting yourself out there and leaving your comfort zone is worth it.
Marianne Dainton, Ph.D.
Marianne Dainton (Ph.D. The Ohio State University) is a Professor of Communication at La Salle University in Philadelphia. She teaches interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, and communication theory. Marianne’s research focuses on relationship maintenance. She is the author of three books: Maintaining Relationships through Communication (co-edited with Dan Canary, published by LEA) and Applying Communication Theory for Professional Life (co-authored with Elaine Zelley, published by Sage), and Maintaining Black Marriage (published by Lexington Books). Her personal life is spent eating her way through the city of Philadelphia, hanging at the Jersey Shore, and trying to pass as a local while visiting foreign countries.
Beyond the Classroom
Clubs
Join Communication clubs to build your skills and have a little fun
Clubs
Among the 120 plus student organizations and clubs at La Salle, there are a few aimed at catapulting students further in their communication career.
La Salle TV
Want to be on TV? Interested in learning what it takes to run a news program? Thinking about video production or broadcast journalism as a career?
La Salle TV—our cable television station carried on Comcast and Verizon FIOS—runs programs seen across campus and in thousands of homes in the Philadelphia region. The programming is mostly student-produced and covers topics including community affairs, news, sports, game shows and entertainment review shows. From day one, you will be able to get behind a camera, belly up to a news desk, edit video and sound, and write sketch comedy. And these are only some of the innovative opportunities—creative suggestions from students are always welcome. You can see examples of our programming on YouTube.
Distinguished La Salle TV alumni include news producers from ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX affiliates; hosts for NBC Sports, Philadelphia; Philadelphia weather and traffic anchors; reporters for various professional sports teams; and many more. Recently, a La Salle TV documentary was nominated for a Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award in the college division.
Collegian Newspaper
If you’ve dreamed of writing about current events, politics, lifestyle or entertainment, then the La Salle Collegian may be for you. Regardless of your specialization, the writing and editing skills gained while producing this weekly publication are invaluable.
WEXP Radio
As the saying goes, some people were born to be on the radio. WEXP is La Salle’s student-run radio station that broadcasts over the internet. Thousands of listeners across the globe tune in to hear niche and popular music, morning talk shows, sports debates, and a variety of other content.
La Salle students have the opportunity to create their own programming while learning from faculty that is experienced in radio broadcasting and digital media.
Film Society
Do you love movies? Quote them every day? Have a life-sized Darth Vader cardboard cutout scaring away intruders? We do, too. In fact, film is a major passion of the Communication Department, and the Film Society is where the passion lives.
The Film Society, now celebrating its 40th year, is a place where movie buffs and students and faculty interested in cinema. The group watches new, classic, and independent films in a cutting-edge screening room. And then the fun begins.
Students discuss and dissect each movie and provide feedback and analysis during rich, passionate discussions. And with La Salle’s local connections in the industry, Film Society members frequently enjoy preview passes to movie openings and events.
Film Society members and La Salle students have participated in Campus MovieFest (CMF), the world’s largest student film festival, over the past few years. CMF makes only one stop in the Philadelphia region every year, and it’s at La Salle. CMF entries produced by La Salle Explorers have been recognized nationally, and even shown at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in France.
Public Relations Student Society of America
Networking is a key element of effective public relations, and La Salle’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) provides enormous opportunities for students to grow their connections.
PRSSA is a national organization dedicated to students interested in public relations and communication. With more than 10,000 students and advisers throughout the country (and one chapter in Argentina), the PRSSA provides the opportunity to actively participate in the development of your professional future in the field of public relations.
La Salle’s PRSSA students attend events, conferences, and webinars, have exclusive access to job boards, and network with PR pros on various social media platforms.
La Salle’s PRSSA chapter has twice been recognized as a Star Chapter by the national organization. Only 10 percent of chapters nationwide receive this honor, and La Salle is one of the only ones in the Philadelphia region.
Association for Women in Communication
The Association for Women in Communication is a professional organization that champions the advancement of women across all communication disciplines through the recognition of excellence, promotion of leadership, and positioning of its members at the forefront of the evolving communication era.
The La Salle chapter of the Association for Women in Communication was founded in 2009 and became the first national student chapter in Pennsylvania. This national recognition provides additional opportunities for advancement in the communication field.
The goals of the chapter are to assist in the development and recognition of the organization at La Salle, uphold the values and ideals of the national organization, and focus on providing female students with the skills necessary to become successful communication professionals in a competitive and constantly changing work environment.
92% of graduates are employed, volunteering full-time through service programs or pursuing additional education full time within one year of graduation.
Ranked 34th in the North Region on U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 list of Best Colleges.
Listed by the New York Times in the Top 6% for median income of graduates at age 34.
Ranked 5th on the Money magazine’s list “The 50 Colleges That Add the Most Value”.