Undergraduate Academic Accelerator Pathway (2-Term) - Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies

at Shorelight Group - American University USA

If you're seeking a broad, intellectually challenging course of study that will allow you to expand and deepen your understanding of the political, social, cultural, global, and historical dimensions of communication disciplines, the Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies is for you.

The Communication Studies degree is research-focused, and culminates in a capstone research project, mentored by PhD faculty. It offers students in-depth exposure to the development of scholarship and intellectual trends in communication. We empower you with the fundamental concepts that cut across the field, including journalism, public communication, and film. The breadth and rigor of this major will prepare you for graduate studies or a professional career in the field of communication.

Explore the richness, impact, and dimensions of Jewish history, culture, and politics (American, Jewish, and Israeli) with our award-winning faculty. Enjoy a wide realm of Jewish cultural activities including lectures, performances, exhibits, and study abroad opportunities. Intern at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, on Capitol Hill, or at one of the many Jewish organizations headquartered in the nation’s capital. 

Issues of identity, whether avowed or ascribed and socially constructed or naturally derived, fundamentally shape people's lives and society. In particular, race, gender, class, religion, sexual orientation, and nationality are determinate identities for many, though in reality, everyone holds multiple identities at the same time. Although these identities often appear to be static and fixed from the outside, they are dynamic and ever-changing, driven by the broader cultural and social influences in which they arise and exist. Courses in this Thematic Area examine the nature of these identities in a world in transition. Our courses, embodying both theoretical and grounded approaches, explore each of these identities in their own right, as well as in a historical and an intersectional manner that explores the relationship between them.

Delve into the art and science of music technology with a bachelor’s in audio technology. Through our program, you'll gain practical experience through courses in sound synthesis, audio production, digital audio workstations, electronics, and physics. You’ll master industry technologies in our recording studio designed by one of the premier studio design firms in the country.

The American Studies program at American University examines American institutions, cultures, and society, while also inviting students to engage in community research and service in Washington DC and the metropolitan area.

American Studies at American University is interdisciplinary. That means our program gives students the freedom to take core classes in American Studies as well as electives in history, literature, cultural studies, politics, and the social sciences.

Get the tools you need to tackle modern challenges in criminal justice and criminology, terrorism and homeland security, and justice and law. Our faculty comprise some of the nation’s foremost experts. Learn from policymakers who are facing the most pressing security concerns. Deepen your understanding with an internship at the FBI, US Customs, Secret Service, or Department of Homeland Security.

The world works in fascinating ways, and AU physics students are driven to learn how. Whether you pursue a BS or BA, we offer nationally-recognized labs, prestigious internship opportunities, and a diverse, dedicated faculty. You can reach for the stars through our NASA partnerships or build prototypes in the Design and Build Lab, and you’ll collaborate with experts on hands-on research.

Our literature BA program offers four tracks: literary studies, cinema studies, transcultural studies, and creative writing. Working with dedicated, award-winning faculty, students learn to analyze and comprehend other viewpoints and argue for ideas. Valuable internships in publishing, public radio, education, law, and advocacy are a short Metro ride away.

The Photography BA program is for students interested in all forms of photography, from fine art to photojournalism. Combining the resources and expertise of AU's Department of Art, College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Communication, the program includes historical, theoretical, and practical approaches to photography.

Students study the evolution of photography, and can gain hands-on experience in darkrooms and digital editing labs. Students who complete the program understand the why and how of photography's adoption by fine artists, commercial studios, and the general public; and photography's changing role in the greater art world. Students relate technical developments in the medium to aesthetic and conceptual developments, citing movements and trends that also coincided with a broader art history. Through a final project and exhibition, students delve into a relevant topic of their choice and analyze it through a specific socio-cultural lens.

At AU, studying sociology prepares you for careers in advocacy, research, teaching, and policymaking. Our degrees offer in-depth training in sociological theory and emphasize research methodology. There’s no better place to begin a career in social change than Washington, DC.