What is the Public Communication major at the University of Vermont?
Public Communication (PCOM) at UVM is a Bachelor of Science program focused on creating, designing, and delivering messages that carry meaningful impact. Students learn how to inform, persuade, and engage audiences while addressing real-world issues affecting communities, organizations, and individuals.
It combines:
- Writing and storytelling
- Visual and digital design
- Media production
- Communication strategy
What makes UVM’s Public Communication program unique?
UVM’s program stands out because it blends creative communication skills with social impact and community engagement:
- Focus on communication for the public good, not just marketing
- Strong hands-on, portfolio-based learning
- Opportunities to work with real clients and community partners
- Integration of design, media, storytelling, and strategy
Students graduate with a professional portfolio showcasing real projects and campaigns.
What will I study as a Public Communication major?
Students build skills across multiple forms of communication, including:
- Strategic communication and content marketing
- Visual storytelling and graphic design
- Social media and other digital channels
- Journalism and news production
- Communication research and theory
- Video and audio short and long form production
Coursework blends creative practice with analytical thinking and communication strategy.
Can I specialize within the major?
Yes. Students can tailor their degree by choosing a concentration such as:
- Communication Design (graphic design, branding, visual storytelling)
- Community Media & Journalism (reporting, video, audio storytelling)
- Strategic Communication (public relations, marketing, campaigns)
This flexibility allows you to align your degree with your career goals.
Will I build a professional portfolio?
Yes! Building a portfolio is a core part of the program.
Students work on real-world projects such as:
- Multimedia campaigns
- Videos and digital content
- Written and visual storytelling assignments
- Communication strategies for real non-profit and partnership organizations
A portfolio of real client work helps graduates stand out when applying for jobs or internships.
Do students get hands-on experience before graduating?
Absolutely. UVM emphasizes experiential learning through:
- Internships (often for academic credit or pay)
- Service-learning courses
- Collaboration with nonprofits, businesses, and community partners
- A capstone project with real clients
These experiences ensure students graduate with practical, job-ready skills, and a resume and career already underway.
What careers can I pursue with a Public Communication degree?
Graduates are well-prepared for careers in:
- Public relations and communications
- Marketing and branding
- Social media management
- Journalism and media production
- Nonprofits, NGOs, and advocacy organizations
- Event planning, community outreach, or political action positions
The program’s blend of strategy, creativity, and technical skills makes graduates competitive across industries.
What skills will I graduate with?
Graduates develop a versatile, in-demand skill set:
- Professional writing & storytelling
- Visual communication and design
- Social media creation and deployment
- Strategic thinking and campaign planning
- Research, audience analysis, and data-informed decisions
- Collaboration and project management
These skills apply across multiple industries and in many diverse careers.:
Is this program focused only on media or journalism?
No. While media and storytelling are key components, the program is broader.
Public Communication at UVM includes:
- Marketing and branding
- Community engagement
- Public interest communication
- Strategic messaging and audience targeting across platforms
This makes it a versatile, desirable degree for multiple career paths.
What kind of students is this major a good fit for?
This program is a great fit if you:
- Enjoy writing, design, or storytelling
- Want to create content with a purpose for impact
- Are interested in media, marketing, or social change
- Prefer hands-on, creative learning experiences
How long does it take to complete the degree?
The B.S. in Public Communication is typically completed in four years of full-time study.
What makes this program stand out compared to other communication majors?
UVM’s PCOM program is different because it focuses on communication with purpose, not just promotion.
Key differentiators:
- Emphasis on social impact and public interest communication
- Hands-on, project-based courses (not just theory)
- Work with real clients and community partners
- Strong focus on portfolio development
- Blend of creative + strategic + analytical skills
What concentrations or focus areas are available?
Students can customize their degree through focus areas such as:
- Communication Design
(branding, graphic design, visual storytelling) - Community Media & Journalism
(reporting, video, audio, multimedia storytelling) - Strategic Communication
(public relations, marketing, campaigns)
Will I get real-world experience in college?
Yes! This is a highly hands-on program.
Students typically:
- Complete internships
- Work on actual campaigns for real world clients
- Participate in service-learning courses
- Build a professional portfolio before graduation
Many courses are structured around agency or media environments.
Will I graduate with a portfolio?
Yes! And that’s a major advantage for the job search.
Students leave the program with a portfolio that may include:
- Campaign strategies
- Branding projects
- Social media content
- Videos or multimedia stories
- Writing samples
This helps graduates stand out in job applications.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?
Graduates work across fields like:
- Public relations/strategic communications
- Marketing, branding and design
- Social media and digital strategy
- Journalism and media production
- Nonprofits and consumer advocacy
- Corporate or organizational communications
The degree is flexible and career-focused.
Is this program only for people who want to work in media?
No. While media is part of the program, PCOM is broader and prepares you for careers in:
- Business and marketing
- Nonprofits and NGOs
- Government and policy
- Community engagement
It’s about effective communication in any setting.
Who is this major a good fit for?
You’ll likely thrive in PCOM if you:
- Enjoy writing, storytelling, or design
- Want to create content that makes an impact
- Are interested in media, marketing, or social change
- Prefer hands-on, creative learning over lecture-heavy classes
Can I combine this major with other interests?
Yes. Students often pair PCOM with:
- Environmental studies
- Business or entrepreneurship
- Political science or public policy
- Sociology or global studies
This makes the degree highly customizable.
Why choose UVM for Public Communication?
UVM offers a distinctive approach that combines:
- Creative communication + social impact
- Real-world experience with community partners
- Flexible concentrations and interdisciplinary learning
- A strong focus on building a career-ready portfolio
- A collaborative, creative academic environment
- A focus on communication for the public good
Students graduate ready to tell stories, design campaigns, and make a meaningful impact through communication.
UVM Public Communication = A hands-on, portfolio-driven communication degree focused on storytelling, design, and strategy for real-world impact.