Communications
Craft messages, build stories, and shape conversations
Communication is essential in all aspects of life — shaping how we interact, connect, and make impressions on each other and the world around us. At Simmons, you’ll learn how to craft messages that generate meaning across contexts, cultures, channels, and media.
We offer our BA through the Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Our communications program emphasizes media convergence — the intersection and interaction of multiple media disciplines. You will learn skills to navigate the changing world of communications through internships and real world projects in our Boston location. This prepares you for careers as designers, journalists, social media managers, digital media analysts, and communications strategists.
We also host two joint majors in Public Relations and Marketing Communications and Interaction Design & Web Development.
What Will You Study As A Communications Major?
We tailor our degree program to match your personal and career aspirations. You’ll choose from a mix of courses in the Design, Journalism and Integrated Media concentrations. Also, you will master in-demand communications technologies. We offer courses on graphic design, social media platforms, podcasting, video, animation, digital imaging, web design, and many more.
As a Communications major, you’ll gain:
- An integrated curriculum that fosters flexibility, adaptability, and empathy
- A hands-on, project-based approach that emphasizes immersive and collaborative learning
- Opportunities to develop critical thinking and critical making skills
- Access to prime internship opportunities in media, health, education, and tech, thanks to our Boston location
What Can You Do With A Bachelor's Degree In Communications?
A bachelor’s degree prepares you for roles in strategic communications, the arts, marketing, public relations, journalism, and more. In hands-on classes and internships, you will gain valuable experience while teaching you how to succeed in teamwork. You will work with organizations like Boston Ballet and Harvard Medical School. These experiences will help you develop both creative and technical skills.
List some recent jobs held by our alumnae/i:
- Reporter
- Audio Producer
- Development and Communications Coordinator
- Illustrator
- Graphic Designer
- Digital Marketing Specialist
- Journalist
- Photographer
- Web Developer
- Social Media Strategist
- Content Producer
- Marketing and Creative Director
- Design Strategist
- Production Management
- Writer
- Engineering Design Professional
- Junior Art Director
- Copywriter
- Communications Director
- Multimedia Producer
- Creative Strategist
- Professor
Our Faculty
Kat Lombard-Cook
Assistant Professor & the Design Track Director and the Integrated Media Track Director
Briana Martino
Associate Professor and Department Chair
Erica Moura
Associate Professor of Practice
Luke Romanak
Associate Director, Student Driven Media and Academic Technology
Bob White
Professor
Dannie Annecston
Assistant Professor of Practice
Ellen Grabiner
Professor Emerita
Judith Aronson
Professor Emerita
Spotlight on Communications Students and Alums
Studio 5: A Student-owned Curriculum
Studio 5 constitutes the senior Capstone project for communications and public relations/marketing communications majors at Simmons. We take a closer look at the hands-on, experiential learning model of Studio 5, Simmons’ student-run communications agency.
Celebrating Trans Awareness Week with Simmons Undergraduate, Journalist, and Comics Fan
First year student Mattea Ortiz ’28 reflects on the benefits of a women’s-centered institution for trans, queer, and nonbinary students.
Alumna Shares Journey from “Miracle” Birth to Fertility Advocacy
For Elizabeth Carr ’04, the first IVF baby born in the United States, fertility education constitutes empowerment and advocacy. She spoke with us about her widely publicized birth, new historical memoir, and formative experience at Simmons.
Simmons Alums Create “Queer-Led Web Design” Team
We celebrate Pride Month with 2020 graduates KP and Jessie, who run Inkpot Creative, a unique website development company that offers cutting edge website design for photographers, with a focus on inclusivity.
Flourishing in the Community at Simmons and Completing Meaningful Internships
Bella Yee ’24 is a Public Relations and Marketing Communications major, with minors in Business and Public Policy. She is the Communications Director for the Student Government Association and Co-President of the Communications Liaison. Yee also interned for the Massachusetts legislature, most recently for the Office of Representative Adrianne Ramos.
Reflecting on Opportunities in Communications and the Decision to Chase a Career in Journalism
Rachel Andriacchi ’24 majored in Communications and is the Op-Ed Editor of The Simmons Voice, the student news site of Simmons University, and the Co-Editorial Lead of CommTracks, the annual magazine produced by seniors from the Communications Department. Now approaching graduation, Andriacchi reflects on their experience at Simmons.
Children’s Literature Editor Karen Boss ’95 ’13 Champions Diverse Authors in Successful Career Change
Karen Boss ’95 ’13MA earned a double Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Sociology and returned to Simmons twenty years later for her Master’s in Children’s Literature. She is a senior editor at Charlesbridge, where she works on fiction and nonfiction picture books, and middle-grade and young adult works.
How Lynne Kaplan ’73 Made a Career Out of Her Gift for Communicating
Lynne Kaplan ’73 has enjoyed a long career in business consulting. A common thread that links her work is the commitment to support individuals in personal and professional development.