The UC San Diego Communication major explores how media, technology, culture, and social institutions shape the way people communicate. Students study communication from a critical, interdisciplinary perspective, examining everything from digital media and journalism to globalization, social movements, and everyday interaction. The program emphasizes theory, research, and hands‑on learning through media production, analytical writing, and more. With flexible course options and opportunities for internships and research, the major prepares students for careers in media, public relations, education, technology, public service, and other communication‑driven fields.
Degree Program
- Communication
- Media Industries & Communication
Program Highlights
- Home to award-winning faculty with numerous publications, books, and media accolades.
- The Department of Communication offers an Honors Program available to those who meet eligibility requirements.
Communication
This page is intended to give some highlights about the program. If you are interested in learning more about the major and its curriculum, visit the department website.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Co-curricular Programs
Learn how to make the most of your experience at UC San Diego within the context of your major.
Research
Conduct research in your field of study with one of the many research programs available. Research opportunities in this major include, but are not limited to:
- Available Winter, Spring and Summer term (8 weeks; 3 quarter commitment).
- Open to juniors and seniors.
- Stipend, course credit, and housing available.
- Available during Summer (8 weeks).
- Open to juniors and seniors.
- Stipend, course credit, and housing available.
- Available during Summer (10 weeks).
- Open to first-years, sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors.
- Stipend available.
For more details, eligibility, and to explore more programs, visit our Undergraduate Research website.
Internships
UC San Diego offers strong internship pathways for undergraduates through the Academic Internship Program (AIP) and the Research Experience and Applied Learning (REAL) Portal. AIP enables students to earn academic credit while gaining professional experience in fields across all majors, supported by faculty mentorship and an academic component. The REAL Portal serves as a centralized hub for finding research, internships, service learning, and other hands‑on opportunities on and off campus. Together, these resources help students explore career interests, build professional skills, and connect academic learning with real‑world experience.
Find a Program
- Academic Internship Program: https://aip.ucsd.edu
- REAL Portal: https://real.ucsd.edu
Study Abroad
Students are encouraged to explore study abroad opportunities which allow students to experience the culture and history of another country and gain a global perspective, all while earning academic credit toward their degree.
Learn more about study abroad opportunities for Communication.
Student Organizations
With over 600 student organizations, students are able to connect with other students who share similar interests. And, if you can't find something that interests you, it's easy to create a new one with just a few other students. Explore UC San Diego student organizations.
Be sure to check out these organizations related to your major:
- Undergraduate Communication Society
- Speech and Debate
What can I do with this major?
Learn about how you can apply your major to various opportunities after you graduate. The information below is based on recent surveys from alumni in this (or similar) majors and is not an exhaustive list.
- Recent Employers - Top 10 employers alumni reported working for.
- Job Types - Industries and types of jobs that alumni reported.
- Skills - Common skills and skills specific to the major that alumni reported gaining from this major.
- Graduate Programs - The types of graduate programs alumni reported going to (if applicable)
Recent Employers
- University of California
- Amazon
- NBC
- Namz Group
- Microsoft
- Legal Aid Society Of San Diego
- County of San Diego
- California State University
- Allied Global Marketing
Job Types
- Product and Marketing Specialists
- Public Relations Specialists
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- Services Sales Representatives
- Business Development and Marketing Managers
- Customer Service Representatives
- Office Managers and Administrative Supervisors
- General and Operations Managers
- Meeting and Event Planners
Graduate Programs
- Law
- Digital Communication and Media
- Public Relations
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric
- International and Intercultural Communication
- Mass Communication
- Developmental and Child Psychology
- Computer and Information Sciences
- Film
- Business Administration and Management
Skills
Common
- Customer Service
- Communications
- Sales
- Leadership
- Research
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Public Speaking
Specific
- Marketing
- Social Media
- Public Relations
- Event Planning
- Digital Marketing
- Social Media Marketing
- Graphic Design
- Adobe Photoshop
- Marketing Strategies