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Communication Studies

LMU Communication Studies fosters the development of the whole person, promotes a commitment to social justice and cultural diversity, and confronts the most pressing contemporary political, social, and ethical issues of our time. To this end, we prepare students to communicate effectively and to understand and appreciate the significance of communication in fostering justice and equity in local and global societies.

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Our Program

We encourage self-reflection and critical engagement with disciplinary subject matter and contemporary social and political events at the local and global levels.

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Admissions

We welcome students from a diversity of academic interests and backgrounds.

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Academics

We are cultivating communication leaders and professionals—forged through academic excellence and an education of the heart, mind, and spirit.

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Featured Alumni

Our graduates go on to pursue careers marked by intention, ingenuity, and unlimited opportunity.

Curricular and Co-curricular Highlights

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PR Minor

Students will gain an understanding of the basic principles of public relations, develop professional writing and research skills, and have internship opportunities in the field.

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Debate Team

Our engaging co-curricular offerings include a renowned debate team that competes across the United States and beyond.

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Lambda Pi Eta

We encourage students to develop leadership skills through participation in departmental, university, and community events.

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Learning Outcomes

We prioritize engaged forms of learning and professional development and empower our students to cultivate their skills both in and out of the classroom.

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Career Pathways

LMU Communication Studies fosters the development of the whole person, promotes a commitment to social justice and cultural diversity, and confronts the most pressing contemporary political, social, and ethical issues of our time

Popular Career Outcomes

  • PR & Advertising
  • Digital/Social Media
  • Human Resources
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In The News

Outdoor photo of Professor Meng Li, wearing a light colored shirt.

How the Family of Origin Concept Has Become a Cultural Touchstone in China

Professor Meng Li received a grant from the prestigious Chiang Ching-Kuo Foundation for International Scholarly Exchange to support her current book project titled: Family of Origin: How an American Idea Became a Chinese Social Ill.

Photo of Paola Martin sitting on top of a tractor at a farm.

Faculty-Student Research Illuminates Crucial Issue Affecting the Farming Industry

CMST alumna Paola Martin ’23 recently presented her research project about the use of media for farmers and agricultural businesses at the recent Broadcast Education Association in Las Vegas.

Three people having a meeting in an office.

Examining the Evolving Diversity and Advocacy Responsibilities of the Communications Field

CMST actively cultivates student curiosity about the social world by bringing awareness to which voices are being heard or silenced in fields like public relations, marketing, and advertising, with the aim of promoting diversity in storytelling across the industry.

Two people using an app to create an augmented reality experience.

Amplifying Place-Based News via Augmented Reality

A new course offered in the department encourages students to bring awareness to a local social issue or concern using augmented reality techniques. Resulting projects tackle issues that include gentrification in Portland, street vendors’ legal rights in Los Angeles and pollution in the ocean on the Oregon coast.