Communication

Chair: Lisa B. Keränen
Graduate Director: Hamilton Bean
Undergraduate Director: Stephen J. Hartnett
Program Assistant: Michelle A. Médal
Undergraduate Advisors: e. j. Yoder and Yvette Bueno-Olson
Internship Director: Kristy Frie
Office: Student Commons Building, 1201 Larimer Street, 3rd Floor, Room 3014
Telephone: 303-315-1919

Faculty

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

Associate Professors:
Hamilton Bean, PhD, University of Colorado at Boulder
Larry Erbert, PhD, University of Iowa
Lisa B. Keränen, PhD, University of Pittsburgh

Associate Professors Clinical Track:
Patrick Shaou-Whea Dodge, PhD, University of Denver

Assistant Professors:
Mia Fischer, PhD, University of Minnesota
Amy Hasinoff, PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Alfred L. Martin, PhD, University of Texas - Austin

Senior Instructors:
e. j. Yoder, PhD, University of Denver

Instructors:
Yvette Bueno-Olson, PhD, University of Miami
Kristy Frie, MA, Regis University
Kirsten Lindholm, MA, University of Colorado Denver
Diann Logan, MA, University of Colorado
Lu Wu, PhD, University of North Carolina
Annie Yang, PhD, University of Missouri

Emeritus:
James F. Stratman, PhD, Carnegie-Mellon University
Barbara J. Walkosz, PhD, University of Arizona

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 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 five pathways, including community service and public affairs, global and intercultural communication, health communication, media and cultural studies, and strategic communication. In addition, we offer a number of Inquiry and Analysis classes that bridge these areas. 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 seeks to cultivate the knowledge and ability to use communication to create a more equitable and humane world.

Undergraduate Information

Communication Major

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

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 COMM 4700-Writing Practicum. Additional information about academic honors may be obtained from the undergraduate advisor in communication.

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 Kristy Frie at kristy.frie@ucdenver.edu.

Communication Minor

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

Undergraduate Certificates

Click here to learn about the requirements for an Undergraduate Certificate in Mediation.

Click here to learn about the requirements for an Undergraduate Certificate in Strategic Communication.

Graduate Information

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