Communications B.A. / Minor
Tell the stories that shape how people see the world, and build the network to launch your career in media.
Choose from six concentrations and learn from faculty who work in the field, in a program built on hands-on production and real industry connections. Minutes from Manhattan, you study where the media industry lives and join an alumni network that returns to mentor, recruit, and hire.
This program is part of Communication, Sound & Media Arts
The Manhattan Advantage
Why Study Communication at Manhattan University?
At Manhattan University, communication students gain the practical skills, hands-on experience, and individualized mentorship needed to thrive in a fast-changing media industry. You choose from six concentrations, from journalism and advertising to public relations and sports media production, and learn on professional equipment in small classes led by faculty who work in the field. Studying in the news and media capital of the country, you build the portfolio, professional network, and ethical foundation to turn your ideas into a career, supported by an alumni network that returns to mentor, recruit, and hire.
I learned pretty much everything I know about journalism working at The Quad. I wrote news and sports stories and mostly music and film reviews and cultural type of pieces. I honed my craft later, but it was really, really rewarding. "
John Swenson '72
Music journalist and former editor of <em>Rolling Stone</em>
Academics
Curriculum & Courses
Explore courses that build hands-on skills across writing, reporting, production, and strategy. Every major completes a shared core, then specializes in one of six concentrations, pairing communication with a required minor in another field.
To view the whole curriculum, please visit Manhattan University's academic catalog.
- Introduction to Communication and Media
- Ethics in Communication & Media
- Advertising & Society
- Introduction to Integrated Marketing Communications
- Media Theory & Research
- Reporting and Newswriting
- Senior Seminar
- Studio Television Production
- Introduction to Public Relations
- Introduction to Sports Media
Digital Media Art Minor
The Communication minor is a 15-credit program that builds a practical foundation in how media is created, delivered, and understood. Every minor completes three required courses, Introduction to Communication and Media, Public Speaking and Presentation, and Ethics in Communication & Media, then chooses 6 credits of electives from across the department's communication courses once prerequisites are met, with options spanning journalism, advertising, public relations, media production, and sports media. It complements majors across the arts, sciences, and business for students who want to sharpen their writing, speaking, and media skills.
Facilities & Technology
Train in a Professional Studio
Communication majors get hands-on access to the Sumner Redstone Television Production Center, a state-of-the-art studio complex on campus. You work on professional-grade 4K equipment, the same kind used by professional television studios, so you build real production experience long before graduation. Because class sizes are small, you get the chance to fill every role on a multi-part project, from writing, editing, and producing to interviewing, anchoring, and camerawork. The center brings together three connected spaces for design, production, and post-production.
Multimedia Design Lab
Industry-standard software for web and digital print design, including:
- Full Adobe Creative Suite
- Pro Tools multi-track digital nonlinear audio software
Television Studio
Built for pre-production, field, and post-production work, and home to MCtv, the University's student-produced TV station. Equipment includes:
- Three Blackmagic 4K studio cameras with Vinten pedestal mounts
- Blackmagic 4K 2-M/E digital video switcher
- Blackmagic Hyperdrive digital disk recorder
Post-production Editing Labs
Avid-based workstations networked into the television studio for pre-produced news packages and shows, equipped with:
- Full Adobe Creative Suite
- Pro Tools multi-track digital nonlinear audio software
- Virtual reality software
Internships That Launch Careers
New York City puts internships within reach that students elsewhere simply cannot access. Communication majors intern at leading television networks, studios, publishers, advertising and PR agencies, and sports organizations, gaining hands-on experience and building professional relationships while they study. Many of these internships turn into full-time jobs after graduation. The companies, brands, and publications below are among those where Manhattan University students have interned.
| Industry | Where Our Students Intern |
|---|---|
| News & Television | 60 Minutes, ABC, CBS, Comcast NBCUniversal, ESPN, Fox News, MTV, The New York Daily News, Telemundo, Univision, Viacom, WNET |
| Film, Entertainment & Music | Atlantic Records, Disney, HBO, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Saturday Night Live, Sesame Street, Sony, TimeWarner |
| Publishing | Condé Nast, Hearst, Rolling Stone, Seventeen, Sports Illustrated, Time |
| Advertising & Public Relations | Grey Worldwide, Ketchum, OMD/Omnicom, Saatchi & Saatchi, Weber Shandwick |
| Sports Organizations | MLB.com, New York Giants, New York Mets |
Why Study in New York City
New York City is the news and media capital of the country, home to the headquarters of nearly every major media company. Studying just a 30-minute subway ride from midtown Manhattan, Communication majors are steps from the newsrooms, studios, agencies, and publications that set the national conversation.
That proximity turns into opportunity. Our students land internships across the city's top media companies, and many of those internships become full-time jobs. You graduate with real experience, professional contacts, and a portfolio built in the capital of American media.
Learn From Leaders in the Field
Digital Media Art students learn directly from practicing artists, designers, and scholars who are active at the forefront of the discipline. Program Director Dr. Daniel Savoy was awarded the Kress Digital Humanities Fellowship at Villa I Tatti, Harvard University's center for Italian Renaissance studies in Florence, and his digital reconstruction work was featured in the 2025 Milan Triennale exhibition, seen by more than one million visitors. Faculty like Dr. Savoy bring that same energy and expertise into the studio, mentoring students one-on-one as they develop their craft.
Potential Careers in Communication
Graduates are prepared for careers across media, marketing, journalism, and communications, creating and managing content that informs, persuades, and connects audiences.
- Advertising Sales Agent
- Art Director
- Broadcast Announcer
- Copywriter
- Editor
- Event Planner
- Film and Video Editor
- Graphic Designer
- Journalist
- Market Research Analyst
- Marketing Manager
- Photographer/Videographer
- Public Relations Specialist
- Social Media Manager
- Technical Writer
The Kakos School of Arts and Sciences
The Kakos School of Arts and Sciences is the largest of Manhattan University's three schools, offering 33 undergraduate majors, six graduate programs, and six combined degrees across the humanities, natural and social sciences, and professional fields. Grounded in the University's Lasallian Catholic mission and located near the heart of New York City, the School pairs rigorous academics with small classes, close faculty mentorship, and real-world experience throughout the five boroughs and beyond. With strong pre-law and pre-health advising and a focus on ethical, engaged scholarship, Kakos graduates leave prepared to lead, and the University ranks in the top 3% nationally for salary impact (Wall Street Journal, 2026), evidence of where that preparation leads.
Program Costs & Financial Aid
Manhattan University is committed to making a high-quality, career-focused education accessible and affordable. Through a combination of competitive tuition, robust financial aid, and our Jasper Guarantee, students and families can plan their education with confidence. The Jasper Guarantee locks your tuition rate for all four years—ensuring financial stability and eliminating unexpected increases as you work toward your degree.
More than 90% of Manhattan University students receive some form of financial assistance, including merit scholarships, grants, and need-based aid, significantly reducing the overall cost of attendance.
- View Tuition & Fees
- Explore Financial Aid
- Learn More About Scholarships
- Learn About the Jasper Guarantee
A Manhattan University education is an investment in your future, and we are dedicated to helping you access the resources that make it possible.
A Smarter Investment in Your Future
Jasper Guarantee
At Manhattan University, every undergraduate student is protected by the Jasper Guarantee, which locks your tuition rate for all four years, ensuring clarity, stability, and peace of mind as you plan your education. This promise reflects our commitment to affordability and to supporting students and families throughout their academic journey.
Admissions Information for Manhattan University
Start Your Journey in Communications
Applying to Manhattan University is designed to be clear and accessible. Review the requirements below to take the next step toward your degree.
Requirements:
- Application & transcript
- SAT/ACT optional
- Personal statement
- Letter(s) of recommendation
Deadlines:
- Early Action: November 15
- Regular Decision: February 1
Admission and Application Process
International Students:
Support available for visas, documentation, and English-language assessments.
Prepare for the Real World
At Manhattan University, your education is built around who you are and where you want to go. Whether you’re ready to apply or just starting to explore, take the next step when you’re ready — we’re here to help.