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. 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 the department's 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. 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.
The department is linked to the following programs:
- Communication Major (leading to a bachelor's degree)
- Master of Communication and Media (M.C.M.)
- B.A./M.C.M. Dual-Degree Program
- Communication area of the school's Ph.D. program
The following are foci of our faculty scholarship:
- Communication and Technology
- Health Communication
- Interpersonal Communication
- Language and Social Interaction
- Organizational Communication
The department also supports the Center for Communication and Health Issues, the Center for Organizational Leadership, the NetSCI Lab, the Laboratory for the Study of Applied Language Technology and Society (SALTS), and the Rutgers University Conversation Analysis Lab.
The Department of Communication faculty is comprised of experts in a variety of fields. The faculty
include multiple national and international award winners, dissertation award winners, NCA and ICA division chairs, keynote presenters at national and international conferences, journal/book/encyclopedia editors and editorial board members for leading academic journals, authors of scholarly books, and those who have secured millions of dollars in grant funding. The adjunct faculty include recognized experts and professionals in fields related to the coursework.