Why Communication Studies is the Perfect Double Major

For undergraduate students at the University of Denver, the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS) offers nearly 50 majors to choose from, ranging from traditional programs like history and philosophy to other unique options such as critical race and ethnic studies and ethnomusicology. You may be wondering, how does any student choose their path when so many options are available?  

Fortunately, DU offers opportunities for students to pursue more than one area of study across various programs. Students can pursue a ‘double major’ in which they earn one bachelor's degree with a primary major and a second specialization listed on their transcript, without needing to earn a second degree in that field.  

For students in the Department of Communication Studies, the path forward was made clear by matching their primary major in communication studies with another area of interest that intersects thematically or professionally, effectively doubling their learning during their four-year academic career.  

“My communication studies coursework is closely intertwined with what I’ve learned in my other major in journalism studies,” said Anna Neumann, a current CAHSS student. “Both areas focus on connection, developing strong arguments, and delivering meaningful, truthful information in ways that matter.” 

Communication studies pairs well with other majors in CAHSS because it provides students with applicable skills and diverse perspectives that are essential to their career trajectories in a particular sector. These skills, such as the ability to effectively analyze information and articulate ideas, are often transferrable to students' interests in specific subject areas, such as journalism or political science, which creates unique sub-disciplines for every student pursuing another major alongside communication studies.  

“Communication studies is perfect for double-majoring because the major is broad and teaches students how to think critically, craft strong pieces of writing, understand complicated text, develop research skills, and build strong relationships with others,” said Anna Filippova, another CAHSS student pursuing two majors. “My initial choice to add a second major in political science came after I took a Political Communication course, where I learned that the two subjects were able to overlap and create an interesting subfield I hadn’t even considered.”  

The Department of Communication Studies encourages students to maximize their educational experiences through multiple majors and minors; for example, a student may major in both communications and ecology in pursuit of becoming a science communicator or public health lawyer, such as CAHSS student Grace Uhrain.  

“My major in communication studies works well alongside my ecology major because it gives me the skills to analyze and assess arguments, which in turn helps me to critically examine research and effectively communicate about the scientific processes I’m learning in my ecology classes,” Uhrain said.  

Double majoring can also enhance a student's competitiveness in the job market and increase their earning potential after graduation. According to a 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics study, students who attained a double major in college have more financial resilience during economic downturns and experience a 56 percent reduction in the impact of income fluctuations compared with those with a single major. 

“I was looking through my LinkedIn account for program alumni recently, and I was amazed by all the things our students are doing many years out from their time at DU, especially those who double-majored,” professor of communication studies Elizabeth Suter said. “It’s fascinating to see the ways students have taken a generalized major and applied it in different disciplines to accelerate their careers.” 

Every job needs individuals who can write, communicate and think critically. Students who major in communication studies at DU have the chance to explore a balanced approach to studying communications that emphasizes skills and theory in personal and public contexts while simultaneously enhancing any other major of their choosing.  

“We use communication skills — such as persuasive presentation, active listening, and compassionate support — far more effectively when we critically analyze and evaluate situations in their personal, organizational, community, and cultural contexts,” department chair and professor of communication studies Mary Claire Loftus said. “This theoretical depth, as encouraged by DU’s communication studies program, allows students to develop into principled leaders, strong relational partners, and ethical community members in any professional sector.”  

To learn more about adding communication studies as a double major, visit the Department of Communication Studies website.