Department of Communication Studies
Gain the tools to build connections among individuals and organizations.
Start your journey
Experience Bethel for yourself
Visiting campus is the best way to learn about Bethel and our majors. As you explore our welcoming community, you can attend a class, meet with students and professors, and get a taste of life in our program.
Meaningful preparation
Program highlights
All our academic departments stand out for their excellence and innovation—and the way our professors care about their students. Learn more about what sets our department apart.
Faith integration
You’ll learn to thoughtfully apply your Christian values to the way you communicate in large groups, different cultures, interpersonal relationships, and media productions.
Experiential learning
You’ll have lots of chances to practice what you’re learning on campus and beyond. The communication studies department has its own media production studio and podcast studio and partners with Bethel athletics to broadcast events. And you’ll gain practical experience at media outlets and prestigious organizations in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
Student clubs
You can join Bethel’s Public Relations Society Student Association chapter (PRSSA) and communication honor societies Sigma Zeta and Lambda Pi Eta. And you can gain experience through Royal Media Studio, an organization that focuses on creating media.
Career prep and connections
COMMentor—a communication studies mentoring program that works closely with BethelBiz—provides opportunities to connect with experienced professionals, attend career events, and build connections as you work toward your career goals.
Faculty mentorship
Classes are typically small, allowing you to gain individual attention and mentorship from your professors. They bring real experience to the classroom, and they’ll model how to integrate Christian principles and all you learn into your career.
Practical classes
Communication classes are practical and personally enriching—with a variety of course offerings, all customizable to your area of interest. You'll find that lessons go straight from the classroom to the dorm room, the workplace, or your favorite social media site.
Real-world impact
Career outcomes
Communication studies grads are confident speakers, active listeners, media gurus, organizational leaders, passionate writers, creative event planners, dynamic filmmakers, and more, and most of them say their studies helped them improve in skills employers value. And you’ll be prepared to follow other alumni who go on to study at top graduate schools.
Skills
You’ll learn to:
- effectively analyze relationships, conflicts, and group dynamics
- produce strategic and creative messages that move a specific audience
- lead, motivate, and manage
- think, listen, speak, and create
- articulate the impact of media and technology on culture
- build bridges between people of different cultures and different viewpoints
Careers
You’ll be prepared to work as a:
- Communication specialist
- Promotions coordinator
- Project manager
- HR trainer
- Producer/director
- Writer/editor
- Health advocate
- Recruiter
- Youth minister
- Social media marketer
- Life coach
- Trainer
- Web developer
Graduate school
You can go on to study:
- Law
- Counseling psychology
- Business
- Theology
- Social work
Our Community
Alumni spotlight
Eli Santelman
Job: Brand and marketing intern at NorthRock Partners
Degree: Organizational communication
Eli has made the most of his time at Bethel—academically and socially. In addition to singing in the Bethel Choir and participating in COMMentor—a mentoring program with Bethel alumni—he interned for the St. Paul Saints, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Minnesota Timberwolves. These experiences gave him the chance to practice what he was learning in his communication classes and to show the love of Jesus among the people he met. Although he loved his time in the sports industry, it helped him shift his career goals to wealth management. And he found a full-time internship as a brand and marketing intern at NorthRock Partners, a financial advisement firm in Minneapolis.
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Connect with a counselor
They’ll answer your questions, connect you with professors, and help you find the right time to visit campus. They’ll be there every step of the way to help make applying to Bethel as smooth as possible.
Faculty mentors
Meet your professors
You’ll learn alongside dedicated professors who are accessible and usually have an open-door policy so you can stop by with questions.
Student Support
Your support team
At Bethel, you’ll experience a community where you belong. And that means you’ll be able to access numerous tools for your academic success—tutoring, mentors, study help, and more.
Career coaching and preparation
A dedicated team is here to empower you to lead a purposeful life. Career coaches will help you build a resume, pursue internships and jobs, and provide support at every step of the way.
Academic advising
No matter your goals, you’ll find support from your advisor. They’ll help you plan your courses and will provide support as you complete your degree and start a successful career.
Tutoring and academic support
The Academic Enrichment and Support Center (AESC) will be your first stop for academic support. You’ll find help in building study skills, academic counseling, and more.
Faith formation
As you develop your faith, you’ll have support from our Campus Ministries team. From Chapel to Bible studies, you’ll have numerous opportunities to explore and grow in your faith.
Accessible education
Tuition and financial aid
We want you to understand from the beginning what a Bethel education costs. That’s why we made it simple. Beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, tuition for the College of Arts & Sciences will be $25,990—down from $44,050. This more accurately reflects what you can expect to pay, empowering you to make informed decisions and become who you're meant to be.
Become A Bethel Student
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You belong at Bethel. If you're ready to see who you could become, start your free application today.