More about our degrees

Learn more about the courses you will take as a communication and media major and opportunities to put what you learn into real world work through an internship and other student activities.

Every Solution Begins with Communication

All students must choose a specialization, but with the flexibility built into the curriculum, they may also double- or triple-specialize, provided they have room in their educational plan to do so. Our major prepares you for a diverse range of careers, including in journalism, politics, environmental and health advocacy, public relations, non-profits, health, human resources, the law, media, sports, academia, and entrepreneurship.

Internships are a key part of your education, with opportunities at PR agencies, news outlets, arts organizations, political, legal and social justice advocacy organizations, non-profits and other organizations across Seattle.

Participation in student clubs and activities can help you build skills, explore career options and possibilities, and develop relationships with your peers, faculty, and professionals in a wide range of fields. The highly successful Debate Team offers hands-on experience that increases critical thinking and knowledge of the world and improves written and oral expression. The Public Relations Student Society of America connects students to working PR pros and provides professional development activities. Student media, including the Spectator and KXSU offer students a chance to get hands on experience in writing, reporting, and broadcasting.

Communication and Media Major

You will earn a total of 60 credits, 30 in required classes, 10 in electives, and 20 in your specialization.

  • 2000 Introduction to Media Studies
  • 2010 Introduction to Communication
  • 3000 Communication Law
  • 4000 Practical Experience in Communication or equivalent (e.g. internships, Communication practicums, etc.)
  • 4010 Research Seminar in Communication
  • 4020 Project Capstone

Examples of electives students can take but are subject to change on a quarter-by-quarter basis.

  • Social Media in the News
  • Video Games
  • Dissecting Disney
  • Health Communication 
  • Critical Digital Media Analysis
  • International Advertising
  • Social Media Management
  • Gender Equality and Freedom of Expression
  • Crisis Communication 
  • 2100 Interpersonal Communication
  • 3100 Intercultural Communication
  • 3101 Language, Power and Advocacy
  • 3102 Special Topics in CMST
  • 2300 Intro to Strategic Communication
  • 3300 Strategic Communication Writing
  • 3301 Strategic Communication Campaigns
  • 3302 Special Topics in STCM
  • 2200 Multimedia Reporting for JRNL
  • 3200 Multimedia Investigative JRNL
  • 3201 Multimedia Reporting for Social Change
  • 4200 Multimedia Entrepreneurship

Internships

  • KEXP
  • Seattle Art Museum
  • Seattle International Film Festival
  • Northwest Film Forum
  • Museum of Pop Culture
  • Museum of Flight
  • Sub Pop Records
  • Northwest Folk Life
  • Pacific NW Ballet
  • Rick Steves’ Europe
  • Pacific Science Center
  • Seattle Aquarium
  • Woodland Park Zoo
  • PATH
  • Seattle Children’s Hospital
  • Lifelong AIDS Alliance
  • Seattle Storm
  • Seattle Mariners
  • Seattle Seahawks
  • Edelman
  • Weber Shandwick
  • Walker Sands
  • Paradigm Communications Group
  • Team Soapbox
  • Curator
  • KUOW
  • Hubbard Broadcasting (includes radio stations WARM 106.9, Chinese Radio Seattle, and more)
  • Entercom
  • Seattle Met
  • Seattle Magazine
  • The Globalist
  • Seattle Business Magazine
  • Seattle Times
  • International Examiner
  • KING 5
  • KCTS 9
  • CBS
  • Seattle University Marketing and Communications
  • Urban Impact
  • International Rescue Committee
  • The Council on American Islamic Relations
  • Washington State (this site is a clearinghouse for all state-funded agencies – search “intern” in the search bar to see which ones are currently hiring”)
  • Seattle City Light
  • King County
  • City of Seattle
  • Nordstrom
  • Microsoft
  • Amazon
  • Starbucks
  • Boeing
  • Enterprise
  • Alaska Airlines