Communications at Simmons University
See what it's like to be part of our Communications program.
Students in our Communications degree at Simmons University are progressive and innovative, whether they're working on a publication, shooting a video, designing a website, or crafting a clever tweet.
Communication is key in all aspects of life; it is how we interact, connect, and make impressions on each other and the world around us. The Communications degree at Simmons University focuses on how people use messages to generate meaning within and across contexts, cultures, channels, and media.
Generating and conveying meaning is central to the work we do in our Communications major, as is an emphasis on media convergence—the intersection and interaction of the multiple media disciplines.
The skills attained and fine-tuned in the Communications degree are indispensable for students as they enter the many niches of the communications fields.
Within the Communications Department, students are able to tailor their degree program to match their career goals, by choosing from a mix of courses in Design, Journalism or Integrated Media. Simmons also offers an online Communications degree program for adult learners.
The Communications major consists of forty (42) credit hours. Three core courses are required for all Communications majors: Visual Communication, Media Writing and Editing, and Media, Messages, & Society.
With guidance from their faculty advisor, students in the Communications major have the flexibility to creatively design their own distribution of courses, drawing from the areas of Graphic Design, Journalism, and Integrated Media.
For adult learners studying in the CompleteDegree@Simmons online program, the Communications major offers an emphasis in Digital Communications.
In addition to the three core courses, and the six courses drawn from the areas listed above, students in our Communications degree program are required to take an independent learning capstone experience. Please refer to the Program Requirements for Communications majors below for more detailed information or view all the Communications course descriptions.
Graduates of our Communications degree find positions in advertising, news, editing, event planning, social media, video and audio production, design, and writing. The tools of the communications sphere are constantly evolving, but the knowledge and skills students develop in the BA in Communications degree program enable them to stay ahead of the curve in any endeavor.
Students interested in applying to the undergraduate Communications degree program must submit the following items to be considered for undergraduate admission:
Learn more about Simmons University’s Communications major requirements and our first-year undergraduate application process for Communications majors, including deadlines and what we look for in an applicant.
In the Communications major, students master the creative as well as the technical skills necessary to negotiate a collaborative working environment. They think critically about media and apply that thinking to hands-on class projects and exciting internships with companies like the Boston Ballet and Harvard Medical School.
Jobs for communications majors range from working in media, the arts, marketing, public relations, journalism, and various other industries. Job titles for careers in communications include:
Simmons’ Bachelor of Arts in Communications explores the nuances of visual, written, and verbal communication to equip students to excel across their chosen professions. We encourage you to reach out to our faculty with any questions—their contact information can be found below. You can also request more information about our Communications major, schedule a campus tour, or find out how to apply today!
The communications department offers a program in Communications with concentrations in Design, Journalism, and Integrated Media, a joint program between Communications and the Business in Public Relations and Marketing Communications, a joint program between Communications and Computer Science in Web Design and Development, an Interdisciplinary major in Arts Administration, and three Complete Degree programs, which are entirely on-line and geared toward adult learners. The course requirements for these programs follow.
BA in Communications
Communications majors complete 42 credits in Communications, including 3 required core courses, 2 1-credit technology courses, 4 courses in their concentration, 2 courses outside their concentration, and an independent learning Capstone experience.
All Communications students take a three-course introductory core:
COMM 121 | Visual Communication | 4 |
COMM 122 | Media Writing and Editing | 4 |
COMM 124 | Media, Messages and Society | 4 |
All students complete at least two-credits of technology skill-based courses:
COMM 110 | Introduction to 2D Design Technology 1 | 1 |
COMM 112 | Introduction to Animation & Motion Graphics Technology 1 | 1 |
COMM 114 | Introduction to Audio and Video Editing | 1 |
Courses are broadly organized around the concentrations of Design, Integrated Media, and Journalism.
Students take 4 courses in one of the concentrations below, and 2 courses distributed among the other two concentrations. At least two of these six courses should be at the 300 level.
Design | Integrated Media | Journalism |
COMM 210 Introduction to Graphic Design | COMM 120 Communications Media | COMM 181 Public Speaking and Presentation |
COMM 241 Design Thinking | COMM 163 Radio Operations and Podcasting | COMM 215 Blogging and Op/Ed Writing |
COMM 240 Typography | COMM 186 Introduction to Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communications | COMM 260 Journalism |
COMM 244 Web Design | COMM 224 Storytelling | COMM 263 Social Media Journalism |
COMM 246 Digital Imaging for Design | COMM 220 Video Production | COMM 310 In-Depth Storytelling |
COMM 248 Type and Image | COMM 222 Animation | COMM 312 Health Communications |
COMM 286 Advertising Practice and Branding | COMM 262 Media Convergence | COMM 320 Media and the First Amendment |
COMM 333 Responsive Design | COMM 269 Globalization and Intercultural Communications (periodic travel course) | COMM 322 Video Journalism |
COMM 340 Advanced Design | COMM 281 Content Creation and Strategies | COMM 327 Culture of the News |
COMM 323 Digital Cultures | ||
COMM 324 Social Media: Social Listening and Analytics |
Students in Integrated Media complete the Communications Core, 2 Technology courses, 4 courses in the Integrated Media concentration, 2 courses in Design and/or Journalism, and a Capstone.
Integrated Media Courses:
COMM 120 | Communications Media | 4 |
COMM 163 | Radio Operations and Podcasting | 4 |
COMM 186 | Introduction to Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communications | 4 |
COMM 220 | Video Production | 4 |
COMM 222 | Animation | 4 |
COMM 224 | Storytelling | 4 |
COMM 262 | Media Convergence | 4 |
COMM 269 | Globalization and Intercultural Communication | 4 |
COMM 281 | Content Creation and Strategy | 4 |
COMM 323 | Digital Cultures | 4 |
COMM 324 | Social Media: Social Listening and Analytics | 4 |
Students in the Journalism Concentration complete the Communications Core, 2 Technology courses, 4 courses in the Journalism concentration, 2 courses in Design and/or Integrated Media, and a Capstone.
Journalism Courses:
COMM 181 | Public Speaking and Presentation | 4 |
COMM 215 | Blogging & Opinion and Editorial Writing | 4 |
COMM 260 | Journalism | 4 |
COMM 263 | Social Media Journalism | 4 |
COMM 310 | In-Depth Storytelling | 4 |
COMM 312 | Health Communications | 4 |
COMM 320 | Media and the First Amendment | 4 |
COMM 322 | Video Journalism | 4 |
COMM 327 | Culture of the News | 4 |
Students in the Design Concentration complete the Communications Core, 2 Technology courses, 4 courses in the Design concentration, 2 courses in Journalism and/or Integrated Media, and a Capstone.
Design Concentration Courses:
COMM 210 | Introduction to Graphic Design | 4 |
COMM 240 | Typography | 4 |
COMM 241 | Design Thinking | 4 |
COMM 244 | Web Design | 4 |
COMM 246 | Digital Imaging for Design | 4 |
COMM 248 | Type and Image | 4 |
COMM 286 | Intro to Advertising Practice and Branding | 4 |
COMM 333 | Responsive Design | 4 |
COMM 340 | Advanced Design | 4 |
We encourage our students to tailor the Communications major to fit their interests. Simmons offers concentrations in Graphic Design, Media Arts, Journalism and dual-major and minor options, including two joint majors in Public Relations/Marketing Communications in collaboration with the School of Business and Web Design and Development in collaboration with Computer Sciences. Your advisor will help you develop the best path to meet your personal and professional goals.
We also offer a minor in communications for students majoring in other areas. Students who wish to pursue a general minor in communications may do so by completing the three required core courses, along with two electives. Other concentration-specific minors available are:
The communications major is also available to students in our online program. Join us on our digital campus to refine your voice and learn how to share your story with the world—from anywhere.
Our students take advantage of internships at arts and cultural organizations in Boston and beyond, building their skills and resumes and learning from mentors in their fields.
Our students fulfill their independent learning and internship requirements in a variety of ways, including recent placements at Boston Herald, Harvard Medical School, Lesley College, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and the Boston Ballet, to name a few.
So you know that Simmons is a great place to be, you've learned about our programs, maybe even come for a visit...now you're ready to apply! Let's get started.
Learn more about our Communications major faculty