BACKGROUNDER

02/05/2018

The Communication Department at Virginia Tech

The Department of Communication is Virginia Tech’s home to cutting edge technology

that is integrated into the curriculum of communication specified to give students, allowing a

hands-on learning experience that will prepare students to lead individuals and organizations

alike through the analyzing and development of media messages. Since 1970, the Department of

Communication has been a part of the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences gaining its

roots within the Department of Theater. The communication staff achieved departmental status in

1980. In 1999, the department began a graduation curriculum as a master’s degree in English

with a communication option and earned their standalone master’s degree in 2003. Since then,

100 percent of students who have applied for a PhD program following their communication

M.A. have gone to the school of their choice. The Communication Department has received

awards since its establishment, including the Program for Excellence Award from the Basic

Course Division of the National Communication Association in 2012 and the Virginia Tech

Exemplary Department Award in 1995 and 2006.

Faculty of the Department of Communication, aim to develop and enhance the

understanding of the process of communication to students through a variety of explanations that

will assist in theirs success as professionals. As a department their goals are to create and share

knowledge about the interaction of messages and media within historical, economic,

technological and cultural environments to best prepare students for the constant changing

environment of today. In 2013, the department developed a 100 billion dollar facility equipped
with a fully digital media center, studio newsroom and lab that was piloted to help achieve set

goals. Through the establishment of this resource, students gain hands on experience that directly

aligns with the field they are entering. For example, the department has a live studio which

students are encouraged to use and gain a sense of life behind and in front of the camera alike.

The Department of Communication uses engagement to enhance the learning process for all

types of learners.

Within the Department of Communication, there are three distinct majors:

Communication Studies, Multi-media Journalism or Public Relations. Recently, the department

offered for Sports Media and Analytics, the first of its kind found at the university. The PR

Department at Virginia Tech is one of 38 programs to be certified by the Public Relations Society

of America, a bystander of success at Virginia Tech. All communication students are required to

accompany their major with a double major, concentration or minor to graduate.

Media Contact:
Name: Nicole Verdin
Email: Nicoleev@vt.edu
Phone: 703-508-0454