UB Programs At-A-Glance

Communication

Department of Communication
College of Arts and Sciences
359 Baldy Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1060

Phone: 716.645.2141
Fax: 716.645.2086
Web: www.informatics.buffalo.edu

Frank Tutzauer
Chair

Mary B. Cassata
Director of Undergraduate Studies

Janeen M. Wilder
Lead Undergraduate Academic Advisor

About the Program

The undergraduate program seeks to provide the student with a comprehensive knowledge of the nature of human communication, the symbol system by which it occurs, its media, and its effects. As a field of concentration, the department contributes to a liberal education and provides basic preparation for either graduate study or careers in communication. Employment opportunities exist in organizational and industrial institutions, public relations and advertising agencies, new media and technology centers, personnel departments, the mass media, civil and social agencies, and sales (including pharmaceutical sales). Students have also gone on to law school, military officer training school, and law enforcement.

Those wishing to pursue teacher education must obtain a dual major as communication itself is not accepted by graduate programs in the Western New York area.

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 computer science, and an introductory course in statistics. Further, students need a minimum GPA of 2.5 in communication courses at UB 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.

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 – 45

In the Department of Communication, what do teaching assistants (TAs) do?

Under the guidance of a faculty member, 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. 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. Thomas Feeley is known for his studies on health communication; specifically how individuals process and act upon health education messages. Dr. Mark Frank is well known for his research in nonverbal communication; specifically, facial expressions and emotion and how these basic communication processes affect interpersonal deception, particularly in law enforcement. Dr. Arun Viswanath's exceptional research focuses on the diffusion and acceptance of information technology, particularly the factors that impact technology acceptance in various domains including health care, consumer adoption of innovations, and the organizational acceptance of technology.

See a list of our undergraduate faculty.

Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities

Undergraduate Research and Practical Experience

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 work in a variety of organizations, including business, advertising, public relations, 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.

Honors, Awards, and Scholarships

The Department of Communication offers departmental honors to those students who meet certain grade point criteria: a minimum GPA of 2.75 overall and a minimum GPA of 3.2 in all communication courses for distinction, a minimum GPA of 3.5 in all communication courses for high distinction, and a minimum GPA of 3.75 in all communication courses for highest distinction. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the honors seminar during their senior year.

Extracurricular Activities

Communication Undergraduate Student Association (CUSA)

This organization 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, visit the UB Student Association Web site.

Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)


Complementary Programs and Courses

Majors that Complement Communication


Minors that Complement Communication


Courses Outside Communication that Could Improve Employment Opportunities

  • Computer skills
  • Writing skills

Career Information and Further Study

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 researchers 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. Doctoral graduates work in a variety of research, teaching or administrative roles in academe or business.

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
  • Communications center operator
  • Counselor
  • Disc jockey
  • Editor or editorial assistant
  • Educator
  • Information systems specialist
  • Law enforcement
  • 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 2005 NACE national salary survey for bachelor's degree graduates, communication graduates' salaries averaged $31,495 with a range of $26,000 to $35,000.

What percentage of graduates goes on to graduate school?

30% within one year after graduation

Links to Further Information About This Program

Last Modified: Tuesday, 7-Nov-2006 10:26:05 EST