The Department of Communication is dedicated to advancing knowledge about communication and its practice in society. The department examines how meaning is created and negotiated in human interaction to address the personal, professional, and public communication challenges and opportunities posed by 21st century life. Our students become leaders in private, public and civil sectors by developing a deep and practical appreciation of how communication shapes the world in which we live.Research from SC&I’s renowned faculty experts examines the complexity of communication processes related to five focal areas: communication and technology, health communication, interpersonal communication, language and social interaction, and organizational communication. SC&I’s students may also acquire knowledge and skills allowing them to pursue careers related to strategic communication and public relations, leadership, health and wellness, relational and family communication, and a range of other options.
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Thomson Scientific ranked U.S. institutions that published at least 75 papers between 2002 and 2006 in communication journals they index. The Rutgers Department of Communication ranked #1 nationwide. The Department is proud to have Top 20 rankings in the 2004 NCA Doctoral Program Reputation Studies for Organizational, Interpersonal, Technology, & Health Communication.
The department also supports several research centers, clusters, and labs.
The Center for Communication and Health Issues Partnership for Education and Research is a consortium of university faculty, health educators, counselors, residence life staff, enforcement personnel, and graduate and undergraduate students who are leaders in creating an understanding of the role of communication and health issues in the college learning experience through research, education, prevention, program development and evaluation.
The Center for Organizational Leadership provides consulting, program development and research services for executive leaders and academic departments at Rutgers in the areas of leadership development, planning and assessment. We also contribute to the advancement of leadership and organizational development within higher education nationally and internationally.
The NetSCI Lab is dedicated to producing cutting-edge networks research, advancing theories of social networks, methods for network analysis and the practical application of networks research. Researchers in the lab are focused on the study of organizations and communities across multiple levels of interaction, connecting theory to practice and informing the design of networks in everyday life.
The Rutgers University Conversation Analysis Lab (RUCAL) brings together scholars with an interest in understanding the workings of social interaction across a wide variety of social settings and contexts. RUCAL faculty and students examine every day communicative activities as they are captured in field recordings of naturally occurring interactions among friends and family members, as well as in institutional settings.
The Laboratory for the Study of Applied Language Technology and Society (SALTS) brings together researchers interested in the development of next-generation natural language processing technology and methodology and the design and implementation of applied language technologies for investigating and supporting communication, information, and media processes across cultural, social, and geographic boundaries.
Hidden Organizations, Craig Scott
Caregiving, Lisa Mikesell
Digital Street, Jeff Lane
A core faculty member of Rutgers Global Health Institute as well as SC&I, Rivera investigates how social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp may influence Latinos’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and, ultimately, their health.
Born and bred in New Jersey, Joe Brecht left the state to earn a BA in Political Communication at The George Washington University. He returned home to pursue his graduate studies at Rutgers, earning his Master of Communication and Media (MCM) degree. Joe kindly shares his educational experiences and outcomes with us.
SC&I faculty members Kristina Scharp and Dajung (DJ) Woo have been recognized by the journal Communication Education.
The Rutgers University RPSO, based at SC&I, is a fun, collegial group of Rutgers students who are working to improve their communicating, public speaking, interviewing, and presenting skills. All students, regardless of their initial level of interest and commitment, are welcome to join, and club members are not required to participate in public speaking competitions.
Brandon joined the Master of Health Communication and Information (MHCI) program and is looking forward to completing his degree in May 2023.
