Communication Studies, BA

Why you should participate in a Study Abroad Program

Study abroad is a 4D signature experience that enables you to deepen and apply your thinking, reflect on your interests and goals, and gain new perspectives on education and life through a global experience. Through studying abroad, you will grow across the four 4D dimensions, supporting your intellectual growth, character exploration, well-being, and sense of purpose.

In today’s age of new communication technologies and globally integrated workplaces, communication has become a practice that often involves stakeholders across diverse regions of the world. Studying abroad allows students to gain skills in international communication to develop relationships with different cultures and communities. It will also provide students with practical communication skills and experiences that they cannot achieve when studying locally.

Communication Studies Faculty

Planning your Program

  • When to Participate in a Study Abroad Program
    Year Recommended Student Action
    Year 1 Attend a Kickstart session to learn more about study abroad
    Year 2 Attend a First Step session as this is a requirement for students applying to a study abroad program. 
    Year 3 This is the most common year for students to go abroad; however, students are not limited to this year. Students with junior standing could qualify for the CGS benefits. 
    Year 4 Studying abroad in your senior year is possible but there can be graduation delays. Please reach out to duabroad@du.edu for more information.  

     

  • Advice and Considerations

    Advice from the Office of International Education

    Attend a First Step Session 
    1. Attend our mandatory info session First Step if this is your first time studying abroad through the OIE. Learn about how to find programs, how DU's system works & important considerations.
    Research programs 
    1. Start by considering what you want out of a program. See Things to Consider to get an idea of what you should be asking yourself. Once you have an idea of what you want, search for programs in DU Passport. 
    2. Read the entire online program brochure for each program in DU Passport that interests you – be sure to check the Eligibility section. 
    3. Visit each program's website for more details (course lists, extracurriculars, etc.) 
    Stop by Drop-in Advising hours to get help with getting started 
    1. Come by our office during drop-in advising hours to speak to someone about how to get started, how to narrow down your program choices and review what steps you need to take in order to study abroad. 
  • Meet with Your Academic Advisor

    Be prepared to discuss the communication studies courses you plan to take with your advisor. If the advisor is uncertain about whether the course will count, reach out to the Director of Undergraduate Studies to discuss the course (the current director is Dr. Josh Hanan) 

  • Meet with the Office of International Education

    Our advisors are dedicated to helping you find the perfect program for your academic and personal goals, and can help provide you with the preparation necessary to excel once you arrive. 

    First Step Session 

    Ready to get started with your study abroad planning? Your first step is to attend an in-person First Step Session where you will learn how to choose a program & get started on your DU Abroad application. See Events for times.

    Drop-In Advising 

    This is where you start! Have general questions about studying abroad? Want help on how to narrow down to the right program for you? Come to our Drop-in Advising sessions! Bring your questions. Our Peer Advisors will help answer your questions & help you determine next steps. 

    1-on-1 Meetings 

    Once you have narrowed it down to a program, learn more specifics about the program by Making an Appointment with an OIE Advisor. Before meeting with an OIE advisor you are required to attend our First Step Session (see above). OIE advisors help guide you through the study abroad application & pre-departure steps. 

  • Course Considerations for Your Major

    Review major or minor degree requirements

    Finding courses and course approvals 

    Review the Registrar’s database of courses pre-approved for your program (TIERS). 

    If you identify courses offered by your program not in TIERS, or courses in TIERS come back differently than you would like, you can request new course approvals. 

    1. Obtain syllabi for the courses you are seeking to be approved. 
    2. Utilize the Additional Comments field of the course approval form to clearly explain what type of credit you are trying to receive for the departmental reviewer.   
    3. Advising and course approvals occur during the academic year when faculty are on campus. Make sure to submit course approvals at least five weeks before Summer or you may not have a response until the following Fall.  

    It is important to identify and seek approval for backup courses.  Your program may not have registration until you arrive on site, or courses could be changed, cancelled, or have time conflicts.   

    If necessary, you can submit course approvals anytime, including while you are abroad and after you return.   

    Departmental Considerations

    • It may be difficult to find overlap. BA in communications degree is US centric, so it might be hard to find overlap with the international communication courses.  
    • Be sure to find communication based courses, not media and/or journalism courses as these are not an ideal fit 
    • Look at the DU Undergraduate Bulletin for communication studies and review the courses. Try to pick courses abroad that overlap with those courses.  
    • If you’re uncertain about a course and whether it will fit, contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies. 
  • Research Funding

    Cost is an important factor to consider when choosing an international experience. Not only should you understand the costs of your program but you should also anticipate the other costs that will be associated with your travel. Please visit our Financial Planning page regarding tuition, housing, and meal costs of DU Partner Programs (DUPP) and unaffiliated programs. It is important that you understand all of the items and services that will and will not be included in your program. 

    Studying abroad doesn't have to be more expensive than staying at DU. If you plan ahead, few locations are out of reach, even with a limited budget. You need to be realistic about how cost-of-living varies around the world, but that can work in your favor. Sometimes, it's even possible to save money by studying abroad! 

    Most students are able to utilize most of their financial aid while studying abroad. We encourage you to speak directly with the Financial Aid Office for details on your specific aid package. 

    Details of how Financial Aid applies to your study abroad program can be found on our Financial Aid page. 

    Many general scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study in the U.S. can be applied to study abroad. You should check to see if you are eligible to apply for general scholarships that are not specific to, but can be applied, to study abroad. There also are a huge number of study abroad specific scholarships available with varying eligibility criteria and deadlines. If finances for studying abroad are a concern, you are encouraged to begin searching and applying for scholarships as soon as possible. 

    More details on available scholarships can be found on our Scholarships page.

Studying communications abroad was like opening a window to a world of diverse perspectives and cultures, each adding a new layer to my understanding of the subject. It was not just about learning the theories; it was about embracing the rich tapestry of human communication and realizing that every voice, no matter where you are from, contributes to the beautiful symphony of our global discourse.

Brett Semelsberger B.A. Communication Studies

Key Contacts and Resources

Department of

Map Location:  Sturm Hall, Room 200

Phone:  (303) 871-2385

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