Communication Degrees at Aquinas College
Discover Communication at Aquinas
Although everyone is born with the means to communicate, communication ability, like
any talent, must be developed. The communication curriculum at Aquinas was designed
with that in mind. As a major, you can choose from four distinct communication programs,
each tailored to career objectives—including a Business Administration and Communication Dual Major.
At Aquinas College, you’ll develop employer-sought skills, like thoughtful inquiry, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and active participation.
Beyond the various research and internship opportunities, Aquinas has a distinctive communication lab, where you can practice your public speaking and gain immediate feedback from upper-level communication majors. And when it’s time to graduate, you’ll join a vast network of alumni, many of whom hold leadership positions in healthcare, law, education, and the non-profit sector.
What Communication Programs are available?
Hands-On Learning in Communication
The Communication Department mission is to provide a sound theoretical and practical curriculum in human communication which will foster understanding, appreciation and practice of communication in various contexts, prepare students for professional/citizenship endeavors, and equip students for life-long learning.
- Students will produce theoretically-informed competent communication in multiple contexts (e.g., interpersonal, public, group, organizational).
- Students will evaluate communication competency in multiple contexts (e.g., interpersonal, public, group, organizational).
- Students will analyze scholarly communication literature and contemporary texts.
- Students will design and execute theoretically informed original communication research
Communication Lab
The primary purpose of the lab is to offer opportunities for students to practice public speaking, work on speech related assignments, and gain immediate feedback from a trained upper-level communication major. Inside the Communication Lab
Student Research
Students have the opportunity to collaborate alongside faculty and mentors in funded summer research fellowships. Past students have gained skills like archival data analysis, narrative interviewing techniques, quantitative methodology, and hypothesis testing. Read More about Student Research
Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society
Since 2019, nearly 100 AQ students have been recognized for their academic excellence and inducted into Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Honor Society!
Student Spotlights
Hear from Communication Students about their experience at Aquinas College and the opportunities they found to get involved more deeply within their discipline.
Aquinas Communications Grads say it best
My favorite thing about Aquinas College is the community. I loved every single person I have gotten to meet during my time at AQ and I will never forget them. I am extremely fortunate to be able to be apart of the AQ community, and will always love the memories I made here.
Drew Huegli - Class of 2025
Aquinas College has greatly influenced me, empowering me to embrace my true self without reservation. The rich diversity of perspectives and talents within the Aquinas community provided a nurturing environment where I felt free to express myself in every way.
Grace Maguire - Class of 2024
I really wanted to attend a smaller college in hopes of developing close relationships with different people and having the opportunity to find myself without the overwhelming feeling of being in a big setting.
Mariela Aguilar - Class of 2024
My experience at Aquinas has caused me to become a more confident and outgoing person, as well as a deeper thinker. I have expanded my horizons and have opened my eyes to new potential career paths.
Leah Ash - Class of 2023
I chose Aquinas College because I loved that Aquinas was a small, liberal arts school where I would be able to create close relationships with my peers and faculty on campus. I wanted to know I could come to my professors with questions or for help in my classes.
Macayla Jones - Class of 2022
It's great to be a Saint because we Saints show unity. You feel more like a part of your community. Even when you're long gone, the connections the Aquinas community has throughout the world is amazing. Once a Saint, always a Saint.
Jerome Williams - Class of 2022
Where do Aquinas Communications Grads work?
Communication majors gain a broad range of skills that are well suited to today's careers, including:
- Advertising
- Broadcasting
- Business Management
- Event Management
- Human Resources
- Law
- Public Relations
- Teaching (at elementary level with communication minor, at secondary level with communication, interdisciplinary communication or communication with a theatre emphasis minor or major)
Occupational Employment and Wages - May 2023
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for Public Relations Specialists
| Employment | Mean hourly wage | Mean annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| 275,550 | $37.37 | $77,720 |
Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $18.55 | $24.17 | $32.09 | $44.37 | $60.68 |
| Annual Wage | $38,570 | $50,280 | $66,750 | $92,290 | $126,220 |
For more information see: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Get ahead at the Advantage Center
Not sure what you want to do after graduation? The Advantage Center Staff can help you discover a path that is right for you.
Alumni Profiles
AQ grads are thankful for the small class sizes that allow them to form personal relationships with professors.
News from Communication
Alumni Spotlight: Anna Skog
Anna Skog ’21, who dual-majored in English Writing and Communication, has graciously shared her success story in becoming a Digital Content Producer for WOOD TV8.
Alumni Spotlight: Luke Overmire
In today's fast-paced job market, one degree takes the spotlight for its impressive versatility: communication. This field of study equips graduates with high-demand skills that are applicable in nearly every industry.
Former Aquinas Student Co-Founds Protein Ice Cream Company
You may have seen Protein Pints, a new protein-packed ice cream product, in the news recently. What you might not know is the product got its start here at Aquinas College.