Welcome!

Welcome to the College of Communications at Penn State. The College is the largest accredited communications program in the country. As such, it is obligated to provide its students with a blend of applied and conceptual courses within its various majors. It is also obligated to see that its students receive a broad-based education rooted in the liberal arts and sciences. We take our obligation seriously to provide students with a curriculum that prepares them to enter media-related positions and to become engaged, contributing members of society in a variety of capacities.

Douglas Anderson
Dean, College of Communications

About the College

Established in 1985 as the School of Communications, the program was given college status in 1995 and remains one of the fastest-growing colleges at Penn State.

The College is home to four departments: Advertising/Public Relations; Film-Video and Media Studies; Journalism; and Telecommunications. The College offers five undergraduate majors, master’s degree programs in media studies and telecommunications studies and a Ph.D. program in mass communications with four distinct tracks.

Faculty members blend strong academic and professional backgrounds and possess a commitment to excellence in teaching, research and service. Along with seven research centers within the College, students benefit from on-campus visits from academics and professionals at the top of their fields for endowed lectures and special programs.

In addition, a team of advisers in the College provides information and insights for students who have questions ranging from scheduling to selecting a major.