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Chair: Stephen J. Hartnett
Associate Chair: Brian Ott
Graduate Director: Lisa Keränen
Program Assistant: Michelle Médal
Undergraduate Advisor: E. J. Yoder
Internship Director: Gordana Lazic
Office: Plaza Building, 102
Telephone: 303-556-2591
Fax: 303-556-6018

Faculty

Professors:
Brenda J. Allen, PhD, Howard University
Sonja K. Foss, PhD, Northwestern University
Stephen J. Hartnett, PhD, University of California at San Diego

Associate Professors:
Larry Erbert, PhD, University of Iowa
Sarah Fields, PhD, University of Iowa
Lisa Keränen, PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Brian Ott, PhD, Pennsylvania State University
James F. Stratman, PhD, Carnegie-Mellon University
Omar Swartz, PhD, Purdue University

Assistant Professors:
Hamilton Bean, PhD, University of Colorado

Instructors:
Yvette Bueno-Olson, PhD, University of Miami
Kristy Frie, MA, Regis University
Gordana Lazic, PhD, University of Denver
Diann Logan, MA, University of Colorado
Kathleen Pounders, MA, University of Colorado
E. J. Yoder, PhD, University of Denver

The Department of Communication at the University of Colorado Denver enriches understanding of the roles of communication in everyday life, organizational settings and public affairs. While the roots of the study of communication trace back to the ancient arts of philosophy, rhetoric and aesthetics, its contemporary practices speak to the opportunities and dilemmas of participating in a globalized, mediated and multicultural society. A major in communication develops knowledge and skills that are required for many different fields, including advertising, business, international relations, education, public service, government and politics, health care and public relations. Because college graduates are expected to change careers approximately seven times over the course of their lives, and because employers across a wide variety of fields primarily seek applicants with strong oral and written communication skills, a degree in communication is a versatile and timely choice. 

The department’s classes are organized in six pathways, including community service and public affairs, health communication, legal communication, media studies, organizational communication and public relations, and political communication and government.

Across these pathways, students are encouraged to merge theoretical studies with practical applications, including in-service learning courses, travel study, internships, social justice projects and other experiential modes of learning. The Department of Communication therefore provides students the skills, knowledge and opportunities to use communication to help create a more humane and civil world.

Undergraduate Information

Communication Major

Click here  to learn about the requirements for a major in Communications.

Academic Honors

Academic honors are conferred at graduation on students whose achievements are above those required for the bachelor’s degree. Three levels of honors are available to students. Cum laude honors are automatically earned by communication majors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a GPA of 3.5 in 39 hours of communication courses. Magna cum laude and summa cum laude honors require the completion of

Undergraduate Internships

Internships are opportunities for students to work in communication-related positions in the community and to receive academic credit for that work. These internships provide a way for students to maximize their communication background and their understanding of concepts, theories, models and frameworks within the communication discipline.

Students typically receive 3 hours of academic credit for a one-semester internship in which they work between 15 and 30 hours a week.

For further information about internships, contact Gordana Lazic at 303-556-2609 or gordana.lazic@ucdenver.edu.

Communication Minor

Click here  to learn about the requirements for a minor in Communication.

Undergraduate Certificates

Undergraduate Certificate in Mediation 

Undergraduate Certificate in Public Relations 

Graduate Information

Please go to the Graduate catalog to read about our graduate programs.

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