Communication and Social Influence

Become a next-generation communication specialist who brings about positive social change with the Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Social Influence in the Lew Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University. Learn to lead public messaging in cities challenged by the most fundamental issues of modern times, such as

• • criminal justice reform,

  • environmental impact,

  • health and labor concerns,

• • LGBTQ and women's rights,

  • political segregation, and

  • terrorism. 

The Communication and Social Influence Major allows you to develop a humanistic and social-scientific approach to effective public communication in urban environments. You will also learn the essentials of social influence and public speaking, including making sound arguments, organizing your ideas, supporting your claims and preparing briefs. 

Areas of Focus

Through the Communication and Social Influence Major degree program, you will gain expertise in one of three areas of focus, each of which is characterized by intercultural communication.

• The civic engagement focus emphasizes communication of sociopolitical activities and community advocacy. 

• The risk communication focus deals with communication about environment, public health, science, politics and public policy.

• The conflict focus covers communication for community and individual conflict management and resolution.

Minor in Communication and Activism

Become an effective, conscientious, civically minded agent of social change capable of communicating across a variety of issues and contexts and within a multicultural and multiethnic society. Acquire in-depth understanding of the theories underpinning social activism and community engagement, as well as the skills necessary to implement these strategies. Students will be able to draw both from our faculty's subject area expertise, as well as immerse themselves in social movements throughout Philadelphia. Learn more about this minor.

Graduates of the Communication and Social Influence Major find success in the following professional roles.

• • Arbitrator

  • Communication strategist

  • Community engagement liaison

  • Community organizer

  • Conciliator

  • Corporate-government relations specialist

  • Environmental health program specialist

  • Field organizer, manager or canvasser

  • Fundraising manager

  • Government affairs specialist

  • Intercultural trainer

  • International mission specialist

  • Labor organizer

  • Mediator

• • Neighborhood advocate

  • Nonprofit campaign manager

  • Ombudsperson

  • Political capacity organizer

  • Political operative

  • Political press manager

  • Program launch specialist

  • Public communication campaign specialist

  • Public education specialist

  • Public opinion researcher

  • Public risk specialist

  • Science and environmental outreach specialist

  • Speechwriter

1. Make an application plan.

If you’re a first-year applicant, you’ll first want to pick a deadline goal and decide if you’d like to apply Early Action (due Nov. 1) or Regular Decision (due Feb. 1).

2. Apply using the Common Application.

Temple exclusively uses the Common Application. When completing your application for Temple, be sure to indicate whether you’re applying Early Action or Regular Decision if you’re a first-year applicant. Even if you apply before or by the Early Action deadline, you still must indicate Early Action on your application to ensure you will receive an admissions decision early. Transfer applicants do not need to select a deadline preference.

There’s an application fee of $55, which you will submit at the same time as the Common Application unless you qualify for a waiver.