Combine Specializations and Expand Career Opportunities

The School of Communication and Information Communication major offers five specializations:

Health and Wellness Communication
Leadership in Organizations and Community
Relationship and Family Communication
Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations
Communication and Technology

To gain a view of all specializations at once, visit our “At-a-Glance Chart.”

Some courses offered in the four specializations appear as part of multiple specializations. By taking a minimum of eight courses (up to a maximum of 12 courses), students may successfully complete two specializations and expand their range of career opportunities.

Taking more coursework in the Communication program and earning multiple specializations enables students to deepen knowledge and career preparation. Students have opportunities to create powerful combinations that employers will value.

Students can begin thinking about career prospects by examining examples created by the Communication program, showing career paths to consider when combining specializations.

Find a Combination That Works

Health and Wellness Communication with Leadership in Organizations and Community

For Example: Leadership in Public Health Policy
Combine Health and Wellness Communication with Leadership in Organizations and Community to prepare for entry into fields such as Leadership Public Health Policy , where professionals work to develop policies and design interventions to improve and protect the health and well being of individuals and communities.
Health and Wellness Communication 407 Health Communication 408 Health Message and Campaign Design Special Topics: Health Literacy	Leadership in Organizations and Community 390 Approaches to Leadership 458 Leadership in Groups and Organizations 432 Mediated Communication
These courses fulfill the requirements for both specializations above: 346 Intercultural Communication 359 Persuasive Communication 446 Communication and Social Change
Go to the National Academy for State Health Policy to learn more about public health policy.

For Example: Health Education and Community Health Intervention
Combine Health and Wellness Communication with Leadership in Organizations and Community to prepare yourself to enter fields such as Health Education and Community Health Intervention , where professionals work to promote individual and community healthy behaviors through communication, education, and activities.
Health and Wellness Communication 407 Health Communication 408 Health Message and Campaign Design Special Topics: Health Literacy	Leadership in Organizations and Community 390 Approaches to Leadership 458 Leadership in Groups and Organizations Special Topics: Community Communication
These courses fulfill the requirements for both specializations above: 346 Intercultural Communication 359 Persuasive Communication 446 Communication and Social Change
Visit the U.S. Department of Labor to learn more about community health work. Or view the video Health Education Specialists Promoting a Healthy World to learn more about health education.

Relationship and Family Communication with Health and Wellness Communication

For Example: Communication Specialist for Social and Human Services
Combine Health and Wellness Communication with Relationship and Family Communication to prepare for entry into fields such as Social and Human Services , where professionals assist social workers with developing, organizing and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems related to human relationships, substance abuse, rehabilitation or family dependent care.
Health and Wellness Communication 407 Health Communication 408 Health Message and Campaign Design 460 Advanced Health Communication	Relationship and Family Communication 355 Interpersonal Communication 422 Communication and Facilitation Special Topics: Supportive Communication
These courses fulfill the requirements for both specializations above: 346 Intercultural Communication 404 Communicating About Relationship Challenges 446 Communication and Social Change
Visit the U.S. Department of Labor to learn more about employment statistics.

For Example: Communication Specialist in Healthcare Case Management
Combine Health and Wellness Communication with Relationship and Family Communication to prepare for entry into the field of Health Care Case Management , where professionals work to coordinate health and social services and advocate for patient needs throughout the healthcare system.
Health and Wellness Communication 407 Health Communication Special Topics: Health Literacy Special Topics: Patient-Provider Communication	Relationship and Family Communication 355 Interpersonal Communication 422 Communication & Facilitation Special Topics: Supportive Communication
These courses fulfill the requirements for both specializations above: 346 Intercultural Communication 404 Communicating About Relationship Challenges 478 Family Communication
Visit the Case Management Society of America to learn more about health care case management.

Relationship and Family Communication with Leadership in Organizations and Community

For Example: Organizational Training and Development
Combine Relationship and Family Communication with Leadership in Organizations and Community to prepare for entry into the field of Organizational Training and Development , where professionals direct and coordinate programs to enhance the knowledge and skills of an organization’s employees.
Relationship and Family Communication 355 Interpersonal Communication 360 Principles of Interviewing 404 Communicating about Relationship Challenges	Leadership in Organizations and Community 390 Approaches to Leadership 458 Leadership in Groups and Organizations 357 Organizational Communication
These courses fulfill the requirements for both specializations above: 346 Intercultural Communication 356 Group Communication 403 Conflict Negotiation and Resolution
Visit the U.S. Department of Labor or the Training and Development Division of the National Communication Association (NCA) to learn more about organizational training and development.

For Example: Social and Community Service
Combine Relationship and Family Communication with Leadership in Organizations and Community to prepare for entry into the field of Social and Community Service , where professionals work with community members and other stakeholders to identify needed programs and services and design and implement programs to address those needs.
Relationship and Family Communication 355 Interpersonal Communication 406 Relationships and Identities in Interaction	Leadership in Organizations and Community 390 Approaches to Leadership 458 Leadership in Groups and Organizations
These courses fulfill the requirements for both specializations above: 346 Intercultural Communication 356 Group Communication 403 Conflict Negotiation and Resolution 422 Communication and Facilitation
Visit the U.S. Department of Labor or the American Planning Association to learn more about social and community service.

Leadership in Organizations and Community with Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations

For Example: Community Facilitation and Public Affairs
Combine Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations with Leadership in Organizations and Community to prepare for entry into the field of Community Facilitation and Public Affairs , where professionals engage with clients, communities, legislators, shareholders, trade associations and other stakeholders to promote an organization’s position on public policy issues.
Leadership in Organizations and Community 390 Approaches to Leadership 458 Leadership in Groups and Organizations	Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations 365 Principles of Public Relations 466 Audience Analysis
These courses fulfill the requirements for both specializations above: 366 Organizational Reputation and Representation 359 Persuasive Communication 411 Crisis Communication and Public Information 422 Communication and Facilitation
Visit the Public Affairs Council to learn more about community facilitation and public affairs; and the National Civic League to learn more about civic affairs.

For Example: Civic Engagement Consultation
Combine Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations with Leadership in Organizations and Community to prepare for entry into the field of Civic Engagement Consultation , where professionals coordinate and design civic engagement meetings and events to facilitate community decision-making. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the demand for meetings and event professionals is expected to grow 33 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Leadership in Organizations and Community 390 Approaches to Leadership 458 Leadership in Groups and Organizations	Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations 410 Media, Marketing and Communication 466 Audience Analysis
These courses fulfill the requirements for both specializations above: 357 Organizational Communication 359 Persuasive Communication 366 Organizational Reputation and Representation 381 Argumentation
Visit the National Civic League for more information on civic engagement consultation; and the Convention Industry Council for more information on meetings and conventions.

For Example: Development and External Relationships
Combine Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations with Leadership in Organizations and Community to prepare for entry into the field of development and external relations , where professionals plan and direct the development of campaigns that maintain or enhance the public image of organization to secure resources and support.
Leadership in Organizations and Community 390 Approaches to Leadership 458 Leadership in Groups and Organizations	Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations 365 Principles of Public Relations 315 Professional Writing & Communication
These courses fulfill the requirements for both specializations above: 357 Organizational Communication 359 Persuasive Communication 366 Organizational Reputation and Representation 411 Crisis Communication and Public Information
Visit the National Association of Development Organizations to learn more about development and external relations.

For Example: Political Media Relations
Combine Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations with Leadership in Organizations and Community to prepare for entry into the field of Political Media Relations , where professionals help political candidates develop an effective public message and a sound media strategy to secure positive media exposure and win public support for their campaigns.
Leadership in Organizations and Community 390 Approaches to Leadership 458 Leadership in Groups and Organizations	Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations 410 Media, Marketing and Communication 466 Audience Analysis
These courses fulfill the requirements for both specializations above: 357 Organizational Communication 359 Persuasive Communication 422 Communication and Facilitation 411 Crisis Communication and Public Information
Visit the Political Communication division of the National Communication Association to learn more about political media relations.

Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations with Health and Wellness Communication

For Example: Community Health Event Coordination
Combine Health and Wellness Communication with Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations to prepare for entry into the field of Community Health Event Coordination , where professionals organize community events such as blood drives, walk-a-thons and healthy living campaigns.
Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations 365 Principles of Public Relations 313 Message Design for Public Relations 466 Audience Analysis	Health and Wellness Communication 407 Health Communication 460 Advanced Health Communication 446 Communication and Social Change
These courses fulfill the requirements for both specializations above: 359 Persuasive Communication 410 Media, Marketing and Communication 408 Health Message and Campaign Design
Visit The Association for Community Organization and Social Administration for more information on community health event coordination and related fields.

For Example: Healthcare Marketing
Combine Health and Wellness Communication with Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations to prepare for entry into the field of Health Care Marketing , where professionals promote health-related products and services to patients, health care providers and communities.
Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations 365 Principles of Public Relations 313 Message Design for Public Relations 466 Audience Analysis	Health and Wellness Communication 407 Health Communication 446 Communication and Social Change Special Topics: Health Literacy
These courses fulfill the requirements for both specializations above: 359 Persuasive Communication 410 Media, Marketing and Communication 408 Health Message and Campaign Design
Visit the Society for Healthcare Strategy & Market Development or the Public Relations Society of America’s Health Academy to learn more about healthcare marketing.

Combine Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations with Relationship and Family Communication

For Example: Customer Service and Sales
Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations with Relationship and Family Communication to prepare for entry into the field of Customer Service and Sales , where professionals manage customer needs, process orders and provide information about an organization’s products and service.
Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations 315 Professional Writing and Communication 357 Organizational Communication 366 Organizational Reputation and Representation 466 Audience Analysis 359 Persuasive Communication	Relationship and Family Communication 355 Interpersonal Communication 360 Principles of Interviewing 403 Conflict Negotiation and Resolution 406 Relationships and Identities in Interaction 444 Language, Behavior and Communication
These courses fulfill the requirements for both specializations above: 422 Communication and Facilitation
Visit the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics to learn more about customer service and sales.

If a student does not see a combination of interest, contact Brian Householder, Director of Undergraduate Studies in Communication, to arrange a consultation.

Combine Specializations and Expand Career Opportunities

Find a Combination That Works

For Example: Leadership in Public Health Policy

For Example: Health Education and Community Health Intervention

For Example: Communication Specialist for Social and Human Services

For Example: Communication Specialist in Healthcare Case Management

For Example: Organizational Training and Development

For Example: Social and Community Service

For Example: Community Facilitation and Public Affairs

For Example: Civic Engagement Consultation

For Example: Development and External Relationships

For Example: Political Media Relations

For Example: Community Health Event Coordination

For Example: Healthcare Marketing

For Example: Customer Service and Sales