Does UC Berkeley offer a Communications major?
I have been looking through UC Berkeley’s website, but it’s still kind of unclear to me whether they actually have a communications major. I know a lot of big universities offer some type of communication or media studies, but I can’t tell if Cal has their own dedicated program or if you have to go through a department like rhetoric or media studies.
If anyone is studying something similar at Berkeley or knows how their communications-related majors work, I’d love any insight. I’m hoping to eventually work in something like public relations or media, so I want to make sure I pick a college that has the right offerings for me.
Did any current or former students have to get creative in how they studied communications there, or is there actually a clear path for that sort of major?
If anyone is studying something similar at Berkeley or knows how their communications-related majors work, I’d love any insight. I’m hoping to eventually work in something like public relations or media, so I want to make sure I pick a college that has the right offerings for me.
Did any current or former students have to get creative in how they studied communications there, or is there actually a clear path for that sort of major?
1 week ago
•
8 views
Kathy Jayanth
• 1 week ago
Advisor
UC Berkeley doesn’t actually offer a traditional Communications major in the way that some other large universities do. Instead, if you want to study topics like media, communication, journalism, or public relations, you’d need to look at related departments and programs that touch on those themes from different academic perspectives.
At Cal, the closest and most popular option for students interested in communications is the Media Studies major. Media Studies at Berkeley explores the theory, history, and cultural impact of media, including both traditional and digital forms. Students learn how media shapes society and how to critically analyze its role in politics, culture, and everyday life.
Another related department is Rhetoric, which focuses on the art of argumentation, persuasion, and how messages are constructed and interpreted. This blends analytical, philosophical, and practical writing or speaking skills. Some students also look at majors or minors in Sociology or American Studies if they want to examine the societal impact of communication more broadly.
As an example, a friend of mine who wanted to work in strategic communications majored in Media Studies and supplemented her coursework by joining relevant clubs (like the campus newspaper or PR groups) and taking internships in communications roles. There are plenty of extracurriculars at Berkeley that let you get hands-on experience, which can make up for the lack of a dedicated communications program.
If you want a very structured, vocational Communications program, or one specifically geared toward PR, you might consider looking at universities with schools or departments of Communication or Journalism. But if you’re open to a more interdisciplinary and theoretical approach, Berkeley’s Media Studies or Rhetoric tracks can set you up well for careers in media and communications fields.
You can check out the detailed Media Studies curriculum on their department website to see what classes are offered, and you might want to contact the advising offices to ask how previous students have tailored their studies toward careers like PR or media. Some students also double-major or pick up minors to broaden their skillset.
At Cal, the closest and most popular option for students interested in communications is the Media Studies major. Media Studies at Berkeley explores the theory, history, and cultural impact of media, including both traditional and digital forms. Students learn how media shapes society and how to critically analyze its role in politics, culture, and everyday life.
Another related department is Rhetoric, which focuses on the art of argumentation, persuasion, and how messages are constructed and interpreted. This blends analytical, philosophical, and practical writing or speaking skills. Some students also look at majors or minors in Sociology or American Studies if they want to examine the societal impact of communication more broadly.
As an example, a friend of mine who wanted to work in strategic communications majored in Media Studies and supplemented her coursework by joining relevant clubs (like the campus newspaper or PR groups) and taking internships in communications roles. There are plenty of extracurriculars at Berkeley that let you get hands-on experience, which can make up for the lack of a dedicated communications program.
If you want a very structured, vocational Communications program, or one specifically geared toward PR, you might consider looking at universities with schools or departments of Communication or Journalism. But if you’re open to a more interdisciplinary and theoretical approach, Berkeley’s Media Studies or Rhetoric tracks can set you up well for careers in media and communications fields.
You can check out the detailed Media Studies curriculum on their department website to see what classes are offered, and you might want to contact the advising offices to ask how previous students have tailored their studies toward careers like PR or media. Some students also double-major or pick up minors to broaden their skillset.
Kathy Jayanth
Berkeley, CA
UC Berkeley | Economics & Slavic Studies
Experience
5 years