Communica­tion and Media Studies

As a Communication and Media Studies major or minor, you'll gain the skills and hands-on experience you need to take your place among tomorrow's communication leaders.

Program Snapshot

Program Type Format Credit Hours
Major On Campus 120 (18 for minor)

Why Study Communication and Media Studies at Wilkes?

From your first day, you'll get hands-on opportunities to operate state-of-the-art equipment used in television, radio, public relations and journalism. Faculty and staff mentors will work with you to tailor one of our four specializations to meet your interests. A strong theoretical foundation matched with practical courses and experiences will prepare you for a range of careers or graduate school.

You'll also have the opportunity to gain valuable experience outside of the classroom through involvement in our student-run newspaper external website, public relations agency, cable TV channel external website and radio station external website, or our speech and debate team.

Whether you aspire to tell inspiring stories or influence the next generation of audiences, Wilkes prepares future professional communicators to succeed in an ever-changing and dynamic industry. 

What You Will Learn as a Communication and Media Studies Major?

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concentrations focus your passion while you gain a broad base of skills

$4 MILLION

state-of-the-art communication center built for collaboration

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cocurricular activities to give you practical experience

I chose communications because of the many different avenues I could pursue. I didn't want to make the wrong decision and pigeonhole myself into one career path.

Kirsten Peters '21r

Program Highlights

Strong Mentorship

You'll work closely with dedicated professors in a challenging atmosphere that fosters professional growth and teamwork.

Faculty & Staff

Hands-On Experience

You'll find multiple opportunities for hands-on experience with the student-run newspaper, public relations agency, cable TV channel and radio station, as well as the speech and debate team.

THE BEACON external website

ZEBRA COMMUNICATIONS

WILKES NOW external website

90.7 WCLH-FM external website

SPEECH AND DEBATE

Global Opportunities

Study abroad options range from a week studying history and communications in London to summers of service learning in Tanzania. You can also select a full-semester program.

Learn more about study abroad

Cocurriculars: Find Your Voice

Professor Kalen Churcher and students work on The Beacon in The Beacon's office
The Beacon Student Newspaper

The Beacon staff comprises Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication and Media Studies department.

Students record television show Wilkes Now
Telecommunications Center (Wilkes Now)

The Telecommunications Center educates young media professionals and provides services to the local community by managing and programming educational-access cable channel 97 for Service Electric Cable, Wilkes-Barre, and one closed-circuit channel.

Professor Kristen Rock and students record a radio show for WCLH
90.7 WCLH-FM Radio Station

WCLH is an independent, specialty programming radio station operated by Wilkes students. Our programming, which changes each semester, consists of hardworking underground bands that are not part of mainstream radio.

Students brainstorm ideas in the Zebra Communications office
Zebra Communications

Zebra Communications is a student-run, full-service public relations agency of a different stripe. Zebra Communications is staffed by 30 undergraduate advanced public relations students.

Faculty members and students practice for speech and debate
Speech and Debate Teams

All team meeting are held in the speech and debate office in the Karambelas Media and Communication Center Room 126.

Launch Experience external website

Careers & Outcomes

The hands-on focus of the Wilkes Communication and Media Studies major will prepare you for a wide variety of career options in the private, government and nonprofit sectors. Our program prepares communication and media professionals to tell stories in a compelling and strategic way to accomplish organizational goals or engage new audiences.

You’ll develop an expansive skill set in media literacy, research, interviewing, design, production, critical thinking and writing. These can be applied to a broad range of occupations, including journalism, marketing, social media, public relations, advertising, media production and strategic communications.

Below are selected employers for our graduates, as well as examples of where our alumni attend graduate school.

Careers

  • Business reporter
  • Marketing coordinator
  • Public relations specialist
  • Social media manager
  • Copywriter
  • Brand strategist
  • Managing editor
  • Web producer

Employers

  • LinkedIn
  • Harvard University
  • Merck & Co.
  • Times Leader
  • WTFS-TV
  • Lehigh Valley Health Network
  • Kraft Foods
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers

Graduate Schools

  • Columbia University
  • Villanova University
  • Syracuse University
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Pennsylvania State University
  • University of North Carolina