Undergraduate Communication

You will gain a theoretical framework and critical understanding for how messages — from interpersonal to mass media — are informed, created, distributed, received and understood.

As you explore social, cultural, rhetorical and organizational communication processes with our distinguished faculty, you will study, participate in, and critique ever-evolving power structures in education, politics, management, technology, entertainment, government and nongovernmental institutions.

The culturally rich city of Los Angeles provides the perfect environment to acquire this knowledge, which can be applied to an array of career fields, including education, politics, marketing, government and nonprofit organizations.

By the numbers

communication elective coursesWe offer 42 undergraduate elective courses that allow you to create a personalized program of study.

We offer 42 undergraduate elective courses that allow you to create a personalized program of study.

communication facultyOur faculty inventively fuse their scholarship and expertise in communication studies with disciplines such as sociology and computer science.

Our faculty inventively fuse their scholarship and expertise in communication studies with disciplines such as sociology and computer science.

1,000+

studentsMore than 1,000 of our undergraduate students are pursuing an academic major in communication.

More than 1,000 of our undergraduate students are pursuing an academic major in communication.

99%

of our Class of 2021 employed within 12 months of graduationOur recent graduates have gone on to distinguished careers with employers such as Amazon Studios, Dreamworks Animation, the National Football League, and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Our recent graduates have gone on to distinguished careers with employers such as Amazon Studios, Dreamworks Animation, the National Football League, and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Student, alumni and faculty work

Building bridges and defying labels

Surrounded by music while growing up in Guangdong, China, Zhuoyan “Terry” Tao wants to use radio broadcasting to bring people together.

Growing as a goalie and a content creator

Division I lacrosse goalkeeper Kait Devir pursues content creation to connect with other athletes and help them build their brands.

Dessert entrepreneur bakes up sweet success

For Zac Coughlin, studying at USC Annenberg has meant being a better writer, communicator, thinker, and marketer — all in service of his Beyoncé-approved sweet shop.

TikTok campus rep on building her toolkit for success

Campus TikTok rep Brianna Seaberg has leveraged her academic journey, advice from her advisers, and her creative thinking to land internships at places like Viacom and Entertainment Tonight.

Making an impact

Devon Kennard pairs on-field success in the NFL with success in business as a real estate investor and a philanthropist.

A trailblazer in denim

Paige Adams-Geller ’90, founder and creator of premium denim brand Paige, discusses running a successful, socially conscious company.

Contribute research with impact

Through the School of Communication’s honors program, you can pursue original, independent research with a faculty mentor that synthesizes the knowledge you acquire over the course of the major. You will develop strong research, writing and critical-thinking skills that can strengthen your portfolio by completing an honors seminar and producing an honors thesis that challenges you to explore a specific intellectual question or issue. USC Annenberg’s innovative centers of research provide fertile ground for your work, including the Annenberg Innovation Lab, Annenberg Inclusion Initiative and Annenberg Research Network on International Communication.

Learn more