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Writing and communication have been at the center of the University of Iowa’s educational mission for a century.

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Successful careers have one thing in common: strong communication. At Iowa, you'll learn how communication works, why it matters, what’s at stake, and most importantly, how to do it effectively.

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“The kernel of the idea definitely came during our time at the University of Iowa.”

Bryan Woods (’07 BA), co-writer, A Quiet Place

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Build knowledge. Conduct research. Create new work. Stand out among your peers. You're going places, and it all starts here.

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“I think the degree is kind of a 'Swiss army knife' of skills that are useful in the real world.”

Harley Atchison (’22 BA)

students giving a presentaiton to classroom

16

Full-time communication studies faculty

2025-2026 academic year data

students working together on a presentation in class

400 +

Communication studies majors

Fall 2025 data

19

Full-time rhetoric faculty

2025-2026 academic year data

professor teaching to classroom

140 +

Courses offered

2026-2027 General Catalog data

student wearing an Iowa t-shirt writing a paper in class

News and announcements

Communications student awarded Dr. Ken Magid Scholarship to intern abroad

Thursday, August 6, 2026
International Programs
Eleven undergraduate students participate in internships abroad in summer 2026, thanks to support from the Dr. Ken Magid Scholarship. The fund was established by the late Linda Baker (BA English ’68) in memory of her former mentor, author and child behaviorist Dr. Kenneth Magid.

CLAS communications students discover endless possibilities through hands-on learning

Wednesday, July 29, 2026
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS)
The Communication Studies program blends creativity, hands-on learning, and career exploration to prepare students for opportunities in a variety of professional fields.

Comm alum wins 2026 Pulitzer Prizes for fiction

Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Iowa Now
Daniel Kraus, who graduated in 1997 with a BA in communication studies, was recognized with the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for Angel Down.

Communication Studies faculty member wins highly-competitive Collegiate Teaching Award

Wednesday, April 29, 2026
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Associate Professor Rachel McLaren has recently been announced as one of six faculty members awarded a Collegiate Teaching Award by the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

Mother’s Day can have different meanings, depending on your stage in life

Friday, April 24, 2026
Iowa Now
In a recent Iowa Now article, Communication Studies faculty member Sylvia Mikucki-Enyart shares insight on the complex emotions and relationship dynamics surrounding Mother’s Day.
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Upcoming events

Application Deadline: Faculty Book Proposal Workshop with Walter Biggins, Obermann Editor-in-Residence promotional image

Application Deadline: Faculty Book Proposal Workshop with Walter Biggins, Obermann Editor-in-Residence

Wednesday, September 9, 2026 5:00pm
111 Church Street

For this workshop, five UI faculty members will submit book proposal drafts for a collaborative feedback session on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m. to noon, led by Walter Biggins, editor-in-chief at University of Pennsylvania Press. The session is designed to help authors write a compelling book proposal, with a focus on crafting a strong pitch, identifying target audiences, and outlining the project’s structure. The workshop’s goal is for participants to walk away with a strong and cohesive book...

RSVP Deadline: AMA with Walter Biggins, Obermann Editor-in-Residence promotional image

RSVP Deadline: AMA with Walter Biggins, Obermann Editor-in-Residence

Wednesday, September 30, 2026 (all day)
111 Church Street

UI faculty, students, and staff are invited to attend ask-me-anything group discussions with Walter Biggins—editor-in-chief at University of Pennsylvania Press—at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 1 at the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies. Questions might address finding an editor, pitching a book, writing a book proposal, how the publishing process works, etc.

There will be two back-to-back discussions; you may attend one or both.

Please RSVP by Wednesday, September 30.

Free and open to all.

Bi...

Registration Deadline: Junior Faculty and Graduate Student Session with Walter Biggins, Obermann Editor-in-Residence promotional image

Registration Deadline: Junior Faculty and Graduate Student Session with Walter Biggins, Obermann Editor-in-Residence

Wednesday, September 30, 2026 (all day)
111 Church Street

University of Iowa junior faculty and graduate students at all stages are invited to join Walter Biggins—editor-in-chief at the University of Pennsylvania Press—for a light breakfast and a conversation about turning an article, thesis, or dissertation into a book on Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 9–10:30 a.m. at the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies library. Please bring any questions you have about that process or about scholarly publishing in general.

Register by Wednesday, September 30.

Biggins is...

Registration Deadline: Undergraduate Career Session with Walter Biggins, Obermann Editor-in-Residence promotional image

Registration Deadline: Undergraduate Career Session with Walter Biggins, Obermann Editor-in-Residence

Wednesday, September 30, 2026 (all day)
111 Church Street

Interested in a career in publishing? In this session on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at noon at the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies, Walter Biggins, editor-in-chief at University of Pennsylvania Press, will discuss his career path and editorial work. This is an opportunity for students to hear directly from a distinguished professional about the realities of the field and to gain insight into how to prepare for a career in publishing. Pizza will be provided!

Please register by Wednesday, September 30.

B...

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Careers in communication

UI Department of Communication Studies graduates have exciting careers in an extraordinarily wide range of fields and industries.

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