Introduction
The Department of Communication at the University of Illinois at Chicago meets the goals of a liberal education by enhancing critical awareness of self and others within a wide range of communication contexts, from personal to public.
The study of communication has origins in the liberal arts and sciences. The discipline encompasses interests in culture, society, politics, economics, history, and the arts, as seen through the distinctive lens of communication. That perspective emphasizes how communication establishes, sustains, and transforms interpersonal, institutional, and intercultural life.
In its research, the department faculty draws upon a wide range of humanistic and scientific methods and collaborates as needed to answer the questions at hand.
In its curriculum, the department incorporates a similar breadth of ideas and methods. Study is based on modes of inquiry, rather than on narrowly focused job skills likely to go quickly out of date. Courses help students learn how to learn rather than what to do.
Through the study of communication theory, criticism, and methods, students learn to research, analyze, and articulate solutions to communication problems in a variety of media (such as speech, print, broadcast, and computer) and settings (ranging from interpersonal to cross-cultural) and to re-educate themselves as issues change.
Pride Points
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Think Bigger
Our department explores how media, culture, and technology shape the way people connect, influence, and understand the world. -
Learn Fearlessly
We equip students with adaptable, future‑proof skills grounded in critical thinking—not outdated job training.
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Lead with Insight
Students research, create, and communicate across digital, interpersonal, and cross‑cultural landscapes.
Department of Communication
Department Contacts
Administrative Support
Administration
The Department Head oversees the research and teaching missions of the Department, doing fundraising and long-term planning as well as directing financial management and student services day to day. An open-door policy encourages graduate students to drop in with any questions or issues about the general climate for learning or the support of research in the Department or at UIC.
Academic Leadership
The Director of Graduate Studies is the chief advisor and first point of contact for students entering graduate study in the Department, as well as the final gatekeeper at the completion of graduate study. Assessment of individual graduate students, courses, and overall programs comes under the Director of Graduate Studies, who manages admissions as chair of the Graduate Program Committee and leads other aspects of graduate academics as an ex-officio member of the IRB and Colloquium Committees.
Academic Records
To declare communication as either a major or a minor, students should declare in the LAS Social Sciences Advising located in 809 UH (phone: 312-355-5133).
Financial Affairs
The department Business Manager/Administrative Associate handles all aspects of graduate student appointments to assistantships, payroll, grant administration, and related matters.
Technology Issues
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences IT department manages the department facilities and provides technical support for issues related to instruction in the Department. (Issues related to research are the purview of the Administrative Secretary.)
Additionally, please use this form to report any IT/Media related issues and also for technology related consulting. Please describe the problem in detail and also fill out additional information if applicable. We will respond to the request as early as possible.
