At the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, we explore the role of human communication in everyday life. As a student, you will learn how to communicate effectively, whether with one person or large, diverse groups. Our courses give you the tools to understand, analyze, and respond to communication problems and opportunities, from interpersonal relationships to workplace teams to civic and cultural groups.

Areas of emphasis help you choose courses that fit your interests and career goals, and give you language for describing what you study and why it matters.

Healthy, sustained relationships require effective communication. This area of emphasis focuses on the many ways communication creates, maintains, and transforms nourishing relationships across contexts, including family, romantic, friendship, and work. It prepares students to be more aware and effective relational partners, both personally and professionally. It can prepare students for careers in social and family services, human resource management, counseling, conflict mediation, sales, event planning, corporate training, non-profit organizations, and management. Some students go on to graduate school in communication, psychology, counseling, or sociology.

Culture and institutions, our values, structures, ideas, and practices, are created, challenged, and maintained through communication. This area of emphasis focuses on how ideas are developed, disseminated, advocated for, and adopted. It prepares students for professional speaking, public information roles, community organizing, non-profit leadership, advertising, public relations, diplomacy and foreign service, and political communication in both domestic and international contexts. Students interested in this emphasis should also consider the Certificate in Civil Communication. Some students go on to law school or other graduate study.

Communication, at its core, is a creative enterprise. This area of emphasis focuses on the performative nature of communication and the use of creative, aesthetic responses to reach diverse audiences. It prepares students for careers in performing arts, event planning, teaching, advertising, public relations, training and development, marketing, consulting, non-profit leadership, and community organizing. Some students go on to graduate school in communication, the arts, or related fields.

Organizations are built and transformed through communication. Effective workplace communication and leadership are crucial to success in any organization, business, or team. This area of emphasis builds insight into how communication and leadership create effective, just, and responsive workplaces. It prepares students for careers in business, consulting, sports management, social media, marketing, technology, human resources, civil service, research and development, conflict management, and leadership, at organizations ranging from small businesses and sports teams to multinational corporations, consulting firms, government agencies, educational institutions, or non-profit organizations. Some students go on to graduate school in communication or business.