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Communication Major

Bachelor of Arts in Communication

Become a next-generation communication specialist who brings about positive social change with the Bachelor of Arts in Communication in the Lew Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University. Learn to lead public messaging in cities challenged by the most fundamental issues of modern times, such as

  • criminal justice reform,

  • environmental impact,

  • health and labor concerns,

  • LGBTQ and women’s rights, and

  • political segregation.

The Communication Major allows you to develop a humanistic and social-scientific approach to effective public communication in urban environments and across business, health and civic organizations. You will also learn the essentials of social influence and public speaking, including making sound arguments, organizing your ideas, supporting your claims and preparing briefs.

Areas of Focus

Through the Communication Major degree program, you will gain expertise in one of three areas of focus.

  • The civic engagement with advocacy focus emphasizes communication of sociopolitical activities and civic engagement.

  • The risk communication with science, health environment and risk (SHER )focus emphasizes the power of communication to influence attitudes, behaviors, and social norms in communities, organizations and government.

  • The conflict with conflict management focus covers communication for community and individual conflict management and resolution.

Minor in Communication and Activism

Become an effective, conscientious, civically minded agent of social change capable of communicating across a variety of issues and contexts and within a multicultural and multiethnic society. Acquire in-depth understanding of the theories underpinning social activism and community engagement, as well as the skills necessary to implement these strategies. Students will be able to draw both from our faculty’s subject area expertise, as well as immerse themselves in social movements throughout Philadelphia. Learn more about this minor.

Classes & Curriculum

The Communication Major can be completed over four years of continuous, full-time study. Among the courses offered in this 124-credit degree program are the following.

  • Argumentation and Advocacy

  • Civil Disobedience

  • Communication and Civic Engagement

  • Presentations for the Digital Workplace

  • Risk Communication

  • Speechwriting

  • Urban Organizing

  • Podcast for Civic Engagement

Students are also required to complete one of four experience courses amounting to three credit hours. Those courses are Internship, Study Away Internship, Directed Research and Practicum.Learn more about courses and requirements for the Communication Major.

Related Graduate Degrees

Related Graduate Certificates

Concentrations

This degree program can be completed with or without a concentration. Your concentration options include

  • Strategic Management

    With interdisciplinary coursework combining principles of entrepreneurship, innovation, international business and consulting, students learn to think critically and creatively, and to develop effective business strategies. Courses to complete this concentration are available on campus and online. 

    View Concentration Details

  • Human Resource Management

    Gain the skills and experience necessary to become a successful Human Resources professional, capable of recruiting, maintaining and training talent for businesses across different industries, and enhancing companies’ reputation, productivity and profits. Courses to complete this concentration are available on campus and online. 

    View Concentration Details

  • Marketing Management

    Become an expert in marketing research, strategy and management, through holistic academic programming that covers everything from brand development and budgeting to market analysis and strategic communications. Courses to complete this concentration are available on campus and online. 

    View Concentration Details

  • Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship

    Transform your innovative ideas into groundbreaking products and services. Through this 12-credit concentration, you will advance your problem-solving skills to overcome the strategic and tactical challenges that drive visionary change, tap into uncontested market spaces, and reinvent internal processes to create competitive advantage. Courses to complete this concentration are available on campus and online. 

    View Concentration Details

  • Healthcare Management

    Take your career in the healthcare industry to the next level by further developing your knowledge of the industry and its trends and challenges, and fine-tuning critical leadership skills including management, financial decision making, business reasoning and more. Courses to complete this concentration are available on campus only. 

    View Concentration Details

  • Sport Business

    Analyze the history, current trends, problems and policies of the sports business, and develop the knowledge and skills necessary to build toward a successful career in an exciting, ever-evolving industry. Courses to complete this concentration are available online only. 

    View Concentration Details

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, the Bachelor of Arts offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

These tuition costs apply to the 2025–2026 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $21,360.00 per year
Out-of-state: $37,032.00 per year

Academic Advisors

Our academic advisors will help you stay on track to graduate and ensure you remain on a clear professional path.

Walk-in advising is available in the first two weeks of the semester for students who need assistance with any registration issues. 

Express advising is available for students throughout the rest of the semester. Advisors answer routine questions in 15-minute sessions. 

For more in-depth, personalized assistance, students may make appointments. To schedule an appointment or ask a question, contact our advising office.
Phone: 215-204-5273
Email:

You can also contact the advising office through TUportal under the Klein College tab. 

The Klein Advising Office, which serves all Klein majors, is located at the following address.

Student Affairs/Advising
Annenberg Hall, Room 9
2020 N. 13th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122

Important Dates

Our academic calendar includes an overview of all relevant upcoming dates.

Learn more about academic advising in the Communication Major.

Program Contact

Contact the Department of Communication in Temple University’s Lew Klein College of Media and Communication.

Department of Communication
Weiss Hall, Room 216
1701 N. 13th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Phone: 215-204-5790
Email:

Joy Pierce
Phone: 1-215-204-5790
Email:

Student Clubs & Organizations

Joining a student organization can affect your career and college experience in meaningful ways. Not only will you learn how to work with a team, you’ll also gain access to exciting projects, peer support and valuable networking opportunities.

  • Aperture Photo Agency is Temple’s only student-run photography agency. The group fosters talent through group expeditions, weekly workshops and one-on-one attention.

  • The Templar Yearbook captures life at Temple in snapshots of the past academic year and celebrates each year’s graduating class.

  • The Temple News has been the paper of record for the Temple community for nearly a century. The award-winning student publication, editorially independent of Temple, publishes every week.

  • The Temple University Black Public Relations Society is a professional student organization that aims to create, cultivate and encourage a supportive community for aspiring multicultural public relations professionals at Temple.

  • WRTI broadcasts to more than 339,000 listeners each week. Many Klein College students get internships at this award-winning, listener-supported NPR radio station.

Learn more about student clubs and organizations available to Communication Major students.

Study Away

Take on new challenges, experiences and viewpoints in an array of academic settings in the U.S. or around the world, through the Communication Major’s Global Opportunities programs. 

Our Global Opportunities programs create leaders in media and communication by providing opportunities to study and work while experiencing life in influential urban centers throughout the world.

You have the option of studying or interning in more than 20 destinations in the U.S. and around the world, including Dublin, Los Angeles and more.

These study away programs are designed to not only enhance your marketability in the global workplace, but also to increase your cultural capital and support your personal growth. Learn more about study away programs for the Communication Major.

Questions?

Representatives from our Global Opportunities office are available to answer any questions you may have. 
Phone: 215-204-2354
Email:

Accreditation

Temple University’s departments and programs are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Additional Program Information