PROGRAM DEFINITION
The faculty and students of the Department of Communication Studies examine human symbolic activity as it shapes and is shaped by relationships, institutions, and societies. This work concerns the creation, analysis, and critique of messages. The department's research, teaching, and service devote particular attention to understanding the ways in which communication erodes and sustains collaboration within and among local, national, and global communities.

NEBRASKA POINTS OF DISTINCTION
• Provides a balance between a theoretical and critical understanding of communication processes in a variety of cultural contexts.
• The ability to customize the major or follow specific career tracks or pre-professional degree programs.
• The only program which has a public relations emphasis.
• Students develop competencies in the creation and presentation of messages and ethical appraisal of communication.
• Recognized for its ability to meet individual student needs and individual attention.
• A highly diverse faculty.
• Nationally recognized for its research in instructional, interpersonal, rhetorical and cultural, and organizational communication.
• Majors have a high success of obtaining excellent jobs.
• Nationally recognized forensics and debate program.

FACILITIES
The Laase Communication Laboratory in Burnett Hall is a state-of-the-art media research center. It is used by faculty and students to carry out a variety of research projects. In addition, students use the lab to learn about verbal and nonverbal communication theory as well as to research, practice, and develop their skills in communication.

PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS (What’s expected of you as an undergraduate student)
• Maintain a 2.0 GPA to remain in good academic standing in the College
• Take communication theory and research courses.
• Obtain competency in written and oral communication.
• Take a minimum of 19 hours of content/theory courses at the junior and senior level with seven of 19 hours at the 400 level.
• Participate in a senior seminar, complete an assessment portfolio, a career portfolio, and a senior project.
• Apply classroom knowledge to real-world settings through research or internships.

FACULTY
http://www.unl.edu/cs/faculty_staff/faculty.html