The Professional and Relational Communication program (PRC) is a diverse study of communication in the workplace and in relationships. This program aims to teach students in different areas of communication that serve numerous industries. Areas of emphasis include
Professional Communication
Students will develop knowledge about appropriate and effective workplace communication by learning about concepts and theories related to being a competent communicator. Students learn ways to best work in teams, how to be effective leaders, and ways to demonstrate professionalism and credibility. Courses include:
- Intercultural Communication
- Teamwork and Decision-Making
- Organizational Communication.
Relational Communication
Healthy relationships of all types – family, romance, workplace – require strong interpersonal communication skills. Students learn ways to improve their relational communication by studying active listening strategies, social support skills that actually make someone feel better, and how to manage self-disclosures to others among many topics. Courses include:
- Interpersonal Communication
- Communication Theory
- Family Communication.
Flexibility
Many students who begin their major often end up changing, and many students realize the value of being a competent communicator is needed in every industry – business, government, non-profits, education, and more. Most industries will hire communication majors and give them the specific, unique training that is required for the particular job. Being able to communicate professionally and manage relationships productively makes for a great manager or supervisor. You can view what some of our communication majors do with their degree at our Alumni Spotlight page.
Study Abroad
Most summers we offer a Study Abroad course in either Interpersonal or Intercultural Communication. Our students have traveled to places such as:
- Belize
- Mexico
- Greece
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Italy
Information about Study Abroad programs can be found on Tarleton’s website.
You can find academic advising guides and course rotations for Communication Studies in the online catalog.
Programs and Opportunities
Students on a Study Abroad trip for Intercultural Communication in Rome, Italy.
A group of Communication Studies students presenting their research at a conference.
Communication Studies students from Tarleton State University winning the Texan Debate.
Students on a Study Abroad trip for Intercultural Communication in Europe.
Testimonials
I graduated from Tarleton State University with both my Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies in fall 2011 and my Master of Science in Management and Leadership in fall 2015. I have made higher education my home working in both admissions and student development. Currently, I serve as the Assistant Director of Admissions and Recruitment for the TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine, the first MD program in Fort Worth. I have the privilege of traveling across the country to engage with the premedical community and help them achieve their dream of matriculating into medical school. The skills I obtained throughout both of my degrees at Tarleton have helped me connect with individuals of all backgrounds, present information effectively, plan and execute large-scale university events and support students throughout their journey to medicine.
My name is Brooke King and I graduated from TSU in the Spring of 2013 After graduation I moved straight to NYC where I quickly received a job offer working in the wine and spirits industry, for the past 7 years I’ve been in the same industry and have worked my way up from an Associate Brand Manager to Brand Manager. After 5 years of living in New York City, I decided to venture off to Sydney, Australia where I’m now the co-owner of a soon to be small fast-food franchise Yallah Eat. Though I have currently ventured off into my entrepreneurial side my real passion lies within the wine and spirits industry and I’ve recently relocated back to Dallas where I now work for Zamora Company as the national brand manager for Lolea Sangria. I absolutely love the company that I work for, Lolea is my baby and a brand I’m extremely passionate about.
Since I have graduated in May 2019 I have been working for my Fraternity, FarmHouse, I am currently the Assistant Director of Chapter Development and Volunteer Support. Basically, I work with 15 chapters and offer consultation to them on how to run their chapters. I work with them on how to improve their risk management, recruitment, finances, communications (especially PR), and event management to name a few. It's a real jack of all trades position. On the volunteer support side I work on recruiting advisors, creating resources and offer trainings to them so they feel prepared to advise a fraternity chapter. I love this job and it has really opened up my eyes to how other universities operate. Makes me appreciate what I had at Tarleton even more.