Mission Statement

Welcome to the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication.

Through the study and critique of human communication, we generate knowledge, creativity, and understanding to facilitate healthy relationships and workplaces, civil and secure communities; and constructive intercultural interaction.

Areas of study within the undergraduate major are intercultural communication and cultural studies, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, performance studies, and rhetoric studies and public communication. In addition to its undergraduate program, the School offers a Master of Arts degree program.

The School also houses the interdisciplinary Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Communication with areas of study in intercultural communication and cultural studies, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, performance studies, and rhetorical studies and public communication. This program is designed to prepare scholars for research-oriented careers in universities and in the public or private sectors.

The School sponsors nationally recognized co-curricular activities, including competitive forensics (individual events and debate), community-oriented interpreters theatre, and the study of culture through performance. A wide range of internships also is available to qualified students. These activities provide additional opportunities for increasing communication skills. Students have the opportunity to work directly with faculty through classroom and research assistantships as well.