The Communications Department houses three related but distinct programs: Mass Communication, Speech Pathology/Audiology, and Communication Studies. Due to the diverse nature of the department, each program has its own mission statement.

Mass Communication

The mission of the Mass Communication program is to:

1. prepare students for entry-level positions in the media and media-based positions in other areas of employment;
2. prepare students to ultimately move into management and leadership positions in the media;
3. prepare students to pursue advanced degrees in communication fields, and to qualify for entry into certain professional schools;
4. develop students who have the flexibility and adaptability to compete in a changing job market;
5. develop students who demonstrate responsible, ethical attitudes toward the role of media and toward media professions.

Speech Pathology/Audiology

The mission of the Speech Pathology/Audiology program is to:

1. provide adequate preparation for entry into a graduate program in speech-language pathology or audiology;
2. provide students with an experiential learning situation (clinical practicum) to facilitate transference of their theoretical knowledge into the practical situation;
3. instill values of professionalism and awareness of providing service to others.

Communication Studies

The goal of the Communication Studies program is to serve the university in two important ways. First, the program assures that every Xavier University graduate can demonstrate basic competency in oral communication skills. Second, it offers students the opportunity to expand their communication skills to interact ethically, confidently, and effectively in a variety of contexts.

To achieve this aim the Communication Studies program is designed to expose students to the study of communication processes from the perspective of both the humanities and the social sciences. The Communication Studies program includes courses in the areas of: Applied Communication, Culture and Communication, Performance Studies, and Rhetoric and Public Address.

There are two components to the program:

1. a course in Fundamentals of Public Speaking, required of all XU students;

2. Communication Studies minor for those students who wish to develop their communication skills further and to develop a deeper theoretical understanding of the processes, practices, and products of communication