Undergraduate Communication

Three students work together at a laptop

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.

98%

of our Class of 2023 employed within 12 months of graduationOur recent graduates have gone on to distinguished careers with employers such as Bezos Earth Fund, Goop, Morgan Stanley, Adidas, Columbia Records, and CNN.

Our recent graduates have gone on to distinguished careers with employers such as Bezos Earth Fund, Goop, Morgan Stanley, Adidas, Columbia Records, and CNN.

Student and alumni work

Classroom to courtside

Communication major Emma Maginn steps behind the scenes at NBA All-Star Weekend.

Building the future of music

USC Young Alumni Merit Award honoree Alex Valenti ’18 has never waited for opportunities — she’s created them.

Research matters

Abigail Rawlinson shares how insights, creativity and data come together in her work with the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative.

Kash Amos Student Commencement Speaker 2026

Victory begins

Communication bachelor’s grad Malique “Kash” Amos delivers an unforgettable message on faith, purpose and betting on yourself during USC’s 2026 commencement ceremony at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.

A world of possibility

Raised in Puerto Rico, rooted in Chinese heritage and shaped at USC Annenberg, Angelo Mok embarks on his next chapter as a Schwarzman Scholar.

Passing on lessons

USC Annenberg’s Critical Media Project provides Wendy Chavez with the opportunity for a rich, “full-circle” experience at L.A.’s Foshay Learning Center, her alma mater.

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