students sit around a table

Undergraduate Program

Communication at Cornell is the study of how people share information, persuade one another and connect through media and technology. You have an...

Find your Path

Communication matters in almost every career, so our pathways group courses around fields where our graduates build careers, from tech and media to journalism and science communication. Pathways are guides, not requirements, so students can change direction as their interests grow. 

  • Tech & Society: how technology shapes how we connect 
  • Strategy & Organizations: leading change inside companies and institutions 
  • Media, Culture & Entertainment: how media shape society 
  • Writing & Journalism: telling stories the public can trust 
  • Marketing & PR: building connections between brands and audiences 
  • Science & Environment: making science understandable and useful

 

Explore Our Pathways

Where COMM grads work

  • Media and entertainment: NBCUniversal, ABC News, ESPN, HBO, TODAY, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central, Disney, Paramount, Spectrum News NY1, Atlantic Records, the Rachael Ray show, MLS
  • Publishing: The New York Times, Harper's BAZAAR, Teen Vogue, Sports Illustrated
  • Tech: Google, Amazon Web Services, Meta, Apple, IBM, Intel
  • Finance: American Express, Wells Fargo, Citi
  • Consumer brands and fashion: Estée Lauder Companies, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton
  • Marketing, PR and research: M Booth, Nielsen

Thinking about COMM?

We'd love to hear from you. Email our undergraduate coordinator, klo28 [at] cornell.edu (Kristie Milliman) with questions or to plan a visit.

Major & minor requirements

Communication has been a core part of the social sciences at Cornell since its founding. Students in the Department of Communication learn to understand audiences, shape messages and interact with individuals and technologies. 

Major & minor requirements
students using VR equipment on the Ag Quad
Graduate student Swati Pandita using virtual reality goggles in the Department of Communication. (Photo credit: Justin James Muir)

Transfer to Communication

Current CALS and non-CALS Cornell students as well as students at other colleges and universities are welcome to transfer to the Department of Communication.

Transfer today.

Honors Research Program

The Honors Research Program in Communication offers outstanding undergraduates the opportunity to work with a member of our faculty to pursue independent research. 

Learn more.

Extracurricular opportunities

Student advisory board, organizations, clubs and research are available to enhance your undergraduate experience.

Find your opportunity.

Undergraduate Studies Director & Program Coordinator

headshot of Michelle LaVigne
Michelle LaVigne

Senior Lecturer and Director of Undergraduate Studies

Department of Communication

Michelle LaVigne
  • ml2576 [at] cornell.edu
Milliman
Kristie Milliman

Undergraduate Program Coordinator

Department of Communication

Kristie Milliman
  • klo28 [at] cornell.edu

Academic Support for Department of Communication

The academic structure of Cornell University has many levels. Within the University, seven colleges serve as home to numerous academic departments. The Department of Communication is housed within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, which is referred to as CALS. To graduate from Cornell, you will have requirements at all three levels: University, CALS and Communication. Depending on your needs, there will be times when you will interact with each of the levels.

Find us on social media

Contact Us

450 Mann Library Building
phone: (607) 254-6278
email: communication [at] cornell.edu (communication[at]cornell[dot]edu)
We are located on the 4th floor of Mann Library, accessible only by the stairs/elevators within the library, which are just past the information desk.

Department Hours:
Monday  Thursday, 8:00 am–4:30 pm
Friday, 8:00 am–3:30 pm