Relationship and Family Communication Specialization

SC&I Communication majors who graduate with a specialization in Relationship and Family Communication are equipped to pursue rewarding careers focused on building healthy relationships and/or improving interactions in the workplace or community. Examples include advocating for youth in troubled families, teaching parents how to communicate with children and facilitating workshops.

Possessing knowledge of interpersonal communication and social processes is fundamental for social workers, counselors and other social and human services professionals who work to improve the lives of individuals and communities. This specialization provides a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge and practical skills to prepare you to enter fields related to:

• Conflict Resolution, Negotiation, and Mediation Consulting
• Human Resource Management
• International Relief and Support Services
• Occupational and Physical Therapy
• Ombudsman
• Parenting Education
• Process Facilitation
• Social Service Provision
• Training
• Youth Advocacy

Good additional resources include:

• National Communication Association, Family Communication Division
• National Communication Association, Interpersonal Division
• International Communication Association
• Rutgers University Debate Union
• Association for Talent Development

Our faculty members bring academic rigor and real-world experience to the classroom, and guide students through critical examinations of key ideas, themes, and thinkers, in the study of human interaction. Our faculty seamlessly blends fundamental theory and research with practical applications to help students develop the knowledge and skills needed to excel at relationship and family communication.

Get started on customizing a Relationship and Family specialization and learn more about available courses.

This specialization requires a total of six courses (18 credits). If you’re using this specialization to fulfill the Communication major’s degree requirements, at least 6 credits must be at the 400 level. To expand your career options, you can combine the Health and Wellness specialization with other specializations as long as you satisfy all the requirements. Consider these combinations and possible career paths.

Core Courses
You must select at least one and may take two.

• 04:192:355 Interpersonal Communication
• 04:192:478 Family Communication

Elective Courses
Select up to five.

• 04:192:346 Intercultural Communication
• 04:192:356 Group Communication
• 04:192:360 Principles of Interviewing
• 04:192:369 Internship in Communication
• 04:192:403 Conflict Negotiation and Resolution
• 04:192:404 Communicating About Relationship Challenges
• 04:192:405 Communication and Gender
• 04:192:406 Relationships and Identities in Interaction
• 04:192:422 Communication and Facilitation
• 04:192:442 Supportive Communication
• 04:192:443 Nonverbal Communication
• 04:192:444 Language, Behavior and Communication
• Special Topics: Sexual Communication