Communication
Department of Communication
School of Informatics
359 Baldy Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1060
Phone: 716.645.2141
Fax: 716.645.2086
Web: www.informatics.buffalo.edu
George Barnett
Chair
Mary B. Cassata
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Elizabeth O. Palmieri
Academic Advisor
About the Department
Communication, originally studied under such labels as rhetoric, speech, and speech communication, is one of the oldest of the academic disciplines. Researchers in the field of communication focus on the theories, applications, and effects associated with all aspects of language and associated nonverbal behaviors. Communication practitioners use that knowledge to design and convey information to others.
Students of communication investigate communication processes as they occur among individuals, groups, organizations, and societies. Students can explore interpersonal, small group, organizational, mass, and international or intercultural communication as a part of their studies.
Within the department, there is a growing emphasis on the emergence, management, and impact of new communication technologies.
Degrees Offered
Undergraduate: B.A.
Graduate: M.A., Ph.D.
About Our Degrees
Acceptance Criteria
Students must complete 45 hours of coursework and at least three required courses in communication, including COM 101. They must also complete an introductory course in computers, and an introductory course in statistics. Further, students need a minimum GPA of 2.5 in communication courses and a minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Acceptance Information
Deadlines: Rolling
Minimum required GPA: 2.0
Number of applicants/year: 200
Number of accepted majors/year: 97%
Degree Requirements
See the Undergraduate Catalog.
Transfer Policy
Students wishing to transfer to UB must be accepted by the university prior to acceptance by the Communication department. Criteria for acceptance into the department are the same for transfer students as they are for students entering the university as freshmen. Evaluation of courses taken at another school for the department major is done by the department.
The department has agreed to accept certain courses from various colleges, especially community colleges within the state; listings of these courses are available from undergraduate studies academic advisors. Transfer students may also check with the department concerning the acceptability of individual courses, and should provide the academic advisor with transcripts and course descriptions of courses they wish to apply to the communication curriculum. Ordinarily, the department accepts no more than four appropriate communication courses toward the major requirements, specifically the core required classes and the communication electives. The department accepts all appropriate transfer courses outside the area of communication that are required for the major.
About Our Courses
The typical class size for:
Freshman/introductory courses is: 200
Sophomore/intermediate courses is: 50 – 200
Upper level/advanced courses is: 30 – 40
In the Department of Communication, what do student teaching assistants (TAs) do?
TAs often teach courses, i.e., COM 101, COM 231, COM 317, COM 326. They also assist the primary instructor.
Suggested Introductory Courses
- COM 101 Principles of Communication
- PSY 101 Introductory Psychology
- PSY 331 Social Psychology
- SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
- An introductory or higher level computer course
- An introductory course in statistics
For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.
About Our Faculty
The faculty of the Communication department have distinguished themselves in many ways. Dr. Mary Cassata is internationally recognized for her research in the genre of soap operas and is the author of several books on the subject. Dr. Thomas Jacobson is an authority on communication and national development. Dr. Junhao Hong is an expert on Chinese media and is frequently cited by the national press and U.S. government agencies. Dr. George Barnett published an outstanding book series in organizational communication and is on numerous communication research editorial boards. Dr. Frank Tutzauer is an expert on bargaining and negotiation and the mathematical modeling of communication. Dr. Joseph Woelfel has pioneered computer software for the analysis of collective cognitive processes. Dr. Alex Halavais researches the complex collective behaviors that are enabled and encouraged by new communication technologies.
Special Academic Opportunities
Internships
The internship program places senior majors in local, statewide and national organizations, permitting them to gain practical experience related to their career goals. Interns are placed in a variety of organizations, including business, advertising, public relations, broadcasting, technology, telecasting, social service, and government.
Independent Study
Seniors are encouraged to arrange for independent study in aspects of communication when specific formal course work is not offered. Frequently, students arrange work with faculty members on research projects, thereby enhancing their research and statistical skills.
Study Abroad
Often communication majors take advantage of a variety of study abroad programs for which they may receive credits that apply to the major.
Extracurricular Activities
Communication Undergraduate Student Association (CUSA)
Serves several academic, social, and professional purposes. It sponsors career information programs, invites speakers in communication-related areas to campus, fosters interactions between students and faculty through social events, sponsors the department's senior graduation recognition ceremony, and provides service to the community. For more information, call 716-645-2141, ext. 1186.
See the UB Student Association Web site.
Complementary Programs and Courses
Majors that Complement Communication
- Computer Science
- English
- Linguistics
- Media Study
- Political Science
- Psychology
Minors that Complement Communication
- English
- Linguistics
- Management Science and Systems
- Sociology
- Media Study
Courses Outside Communication that Could Improve Employment Opportunities
- Computer skills
- Writing skills
Career Information
Skills gained in this program include:
- Writing copy that triggers a response
- Presenting a point of view clearly and forcefully in a variety of media
- Using sight, sound, motion, and words to create powerful and exciting images
- Transmitting feelings and experiences to others in an intensified way
- Holding the attention of an audience
- Speaking clearly and persuasively
- Writing press releases, scripts, and other promotional materials and persuading the media to use them
- Selecting, evaluating, and editing media materials
- Manipulating and utilizing information
Career Choices
Bachelor's graduates are, for the most part, employed in a personal contact capacity. They take positions as interviewers, counselors, representatives, negotiators, and recruiters in the fields of personnel, public relations, customer relations, advertising, labor relations, public information, and sales. A small number find technical positions as writers, editors, or research in publishing, broadcasting, or internal communications. The majority of M.A. graduates are employed in managerial or administrative positions in the fields of industry, education, health care or government.
What percentage of graduates goes on to find related employment?
95%
Communication graduates pursue some of the following careers:
- Account executive
- Admissions
- Advertising specialist
- Arbitrator
- Broadcaster
- Communications center operator
- Counselor
- Disc jockey
- Editor or editorial assistant
- Educator
- Information systems specialist
- Journalist
- Lawyer
- Lobbyist
- Market research analyst
- Media specialist
- Organizational trainer
- Personnel director
- Professor
- Public relations specialist
- Publicity assistant
- Web page designer
- Writing
Alumni in Communication have found employment in the following fields:
- Account management
- Crisis intervention counseling
- Information technology
- International customer relations
- Life insurance benefits marketing
- Personnel assistance
- Promotions
- Public relations
- Sports coordination
Salary Information
Salaries range greatly from one occupation, position, and work setting to another. According to the September 1998 NACE national salary survey for bachelor's degree graduates, communication graduates' salaries averaged $25,435, with a range from $19,000 to $34,000.
What percentage of graduates goes on to graduate school?
30%