Area of study

Communication and information sciences programs

Are you interested in journalism and media, communications, information science, or public relations? You might want to pursue a communication and information sciences program at UT! Our students learn from experienced professors and gain the practical skills they need—from creating documentaries to writing for magazines—to be successful after graduation.

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Your future as a professional

Those with communication and information sciences degrees work as essential team members at organizations ranging from nonprofits to corporations to government agencies. Our alumni have gone on to work for employers such as ESPN, Google, the US Department of Defense, and the Country Music Association.

What you can do with a degree in a communication and information sciences program:

Communication and information sciences careers

Cataloging/taxonomy
Copywriting, technical writing, and grant writing
Data analysis
Education
Fundraising/development
IT
Journalism
Law
Legislative, executive, or judicial services
Librarian
Marketing
Risk and crisis communication
Sales
Social media
User-experience design

Employers hiring graduates

Academic journals
Advertising agencies
Colleges and universities
Freelance
Government agencies
Healthcare and pharmaceutical firms
Hospitality and tourism
Nonprofit organizations
Online app development start-ups
PR departments in large corporations
Publishers
Research centers
Sport and athletic organizations
Television and radio
Trade and professional associations

Studying at UT

Iconic professors

Our professors are invested in student success and their own experiences as professionals are some of their greatest teaching tools. Alumnus and retired NFL quarterback Peyton Manning now teaches in the College of Communication and Information, sharing his industry knowledge with students. And in our School of Journalism and Media, alumna and Assistant Professor of Practice Brittany Tarwater is a winner of multiple Emmy awards for her storytelling with local news station WVLT for the documentary A Tennessee Waltz: Ray Blanton’s Last Dance.

Real-world experiences

With a communication and information sciences degree from UT, you’ll be prepared for what comes after graduation. You’ll gain experience with technologies used by Fortune 100 companies and be knowledgeable in advanced instruments such as the Noldus FaceReader and TechSmith Morae, for example.

You could write for the Daily Beacon or Phoenix Literary Magazine. Or perhaps you’ll create documentaries with Land Grant Films. Past projects such as The Library That Dolly Built, allowed students the opportunity to work with Dolly Parton and is available to stream on Amazon Prime! If you’re interested in radio you could join WUTK, UT’s award-winning student radio station, or work at our NPR affiliate, WUOT.

Learn around the globe

We believe that there is great value in learning about diverse perspectives. In Dublin, Ireland, you can explore how everyday cultures impact the ways in which we communicate on a global scale, and when you’re not in class, you can explore places on the Emerald Isle. In Prague, you can produce news reports influenced by the teachings of guest instructors from Reuters, which you can add to your portfolio! Or maybe you’d rather go to Italy to study advertising while touring Rome’s historic locations.

Where you’ll study

You can find communication and information sciences programs in three of UT’s colleges. As a student in the College of Communication and Information, you’ll have the opportunity to study sports communication, advertising, user-experience design, and more. In the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music, you might choose to study music advertising and public relations or music journalism. The Herbert College of Agriculture offers programs under the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication that will prepare you for careers in business and industry, like agricultural communications.

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A student is interviewed during a campus event

a student sits on campus working independently on a laptop

I’ve gained hands-on experience with campaign management, navigated digital advertising platforms, and developed a deeper understanding of measuring and analyzing campaign performance. These practical skills not only enhance my grasp of theoretical concepts but also prepare me for future roles in the industry, enriching my contributions to both academic projects and professional endeavors.
Katie
Class of 2025
Advertising

Communication and information sciences careers