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Why Study Human Communication?
Human Communication at Trinity explores how people influence decisions, navigate conflict, build relationships, and create change. Students combine research, theory, and practice to address real-world communication challenges.
Develop Your Voice
Study persuasion, rhetoric, and public argument while learning how ideas shape public discourse. Students strengthen their ability to advocate effectively, analyze competing perspectives, and communicate with confidence in complex environments.
Ask Better Questions
Work alongside faculty on original research exploring communication in interpersonal, organizational, political, and cultural settings. Students gain experience designing studies, analyzing evidence, and presenting findings at academic conferences.
Apply Communication in the Real World
Internships, community-engaged projects, and experiential learning opportunities connect classroom theory with real communication challenges. Students learn how communication can improve organizations, strengthen relationships, and solve problems.
The Human Communication Major (B.A.)
Human Communication prepares students to understand how messages influence people, relationships, organizations, and communities. The major combines communication theory, research, and practical application to help students become effective leaders, advocates, researchers, and problem-solvers.
In-Demand Skills
You’ll gain skills in:
- Persuasive speaking and advocacy
- Communication research and analysis
- Conflict management and negotiation
- Organizational communication
Interdisciplinary Curriculum:
You’ll complete 32 credit hours, including coursework that examines communication through multiple settings and methods, from interpersonal communication and conflict to rhetoric, political communication, linguistics, and team dynamics.
The Human Communication major gives students a strong foundation in theory, analysis, and application.
The Human Communication Minor
18 Credit Hours | 1.5 to 2 semesters of coursework
Strengthen communication skills for any major.
The Human Communication minor complements a wide range of academic disciplines by helping students communicate ideas more effectively, collaborate across differences, and analyze how messages influence people and institutions.
Coursework introduces students to communication theory and practice while developing skills in speaking, writing, audience analysis, conflict management, and persuasion. Whether pursuing careers in business, healthcare, law, education, public service, or the arts, students gain practical tools that enhance professional effectiveness and leadership potential.
Recent Graduate Careers
Human Communication graduates enter careers that depend on leadership, persuasion, collaboration, and strategic communication. Others pursue graduate and professional study in fields such as law, communication, public affairs, organizational leadership, and education.
Public Relations, Marketing, and Strategic Communication
Learn how organizations build relationships with audiences, communicate value, and manage reputation through strategic messaging and engagement.
Law, Advocacy, and Public Affairs
Skills in persuasion, argumentation, research, and critical analysis prepare students for legal studies, policy work, advocacy organizations, and public service careers.
Organizational Leadership, and Graduate Study
Graduates apply communication expertise to team leadership, employee engagement, conflict resolution, training, consulting, and organizational development.
Research, Education, and Graduate Study
Students interested in scholarship, teaching, or advanced professional study develop strong research, analytical, and presentation skills that support graduate education and academic careers.
Get Your Questions Answered
Students interested in the Human Communication major and minor are encouraged to:
Talk with their academic adviser. Explore introductory courses in interpersonal communication, conflict, rhetoric, and related communication topics. Review the course catalog for detailed requirements.