To add depth to the major area of study and to enhance the Marquette experience, all communication majors are required to earn a minor or a second major. The minor or second major can be earned within the College of Communication or in one of the other programs at Marquette.

Some students choose a minor outside of the communication field, such as an advertising major with a marketing minor. Other students choose a minor within communication, such as a journalism major with a digital media minor.

Students in our program can also complete an interdisciplinary minor with a minimum of 18 hours of coursework that complements their major. Under the guidance of your advisor and the associate dean, students can select their courses and design their own minor.

Check out the links below to learn more about the minors within the Diederich College of Communication that are offered to all Marquette students.

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Communication Studies

The department of communication studies offers an 18-credit minor in communication studies. This minor offers a flexible course of study, with three required courses and three electives from the communication studies curriculum.

Digital Media and Performing Arts

The digital media and performing arts department offers several minors, including digital media, dance, film and media studies, music and theatre arts. Each of these minors has different requirements, ranging from 18 to 21 credit hours. The Diederich College of Communication website contains detailed information on the digital media, theatre arts and music programs.

Family Studies

An interdisciplinary minor in family studies is also available through the Diederich College of Communication. It is an ideal minor for students who plan to work with families as part of their career. Detailed information on this program can be found on the family studies website or by reviewing the curriculum and requirements. This minor requires 18 credit hours and a capstone course.

Fine Arts

Through collaboration with the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD), the college of communication offers a minor in fine arts. These courses are taught by practicing creative professionals and are taken at MIAD. Students can specialize in graphic design or studio art.

Games and Interactive Media

The games and interactive media minor prepares students to work in a variety of employment positions and industries that utilize real-time virtual production. Alongside the software, hardware and media equipment knowledge, students also study media history, the media industry, and the social and cultural implications of video games and real-time virtual production technology. Ultimately, the minor offers students the ability to learn about a technology that is rapidly expanding into many different industries. 

Health Communication

Housed in the department of communication studies, this minor is comprised of 18 credits and addresses how communication intersects with health in all aspects: emotional, mental and physical.

Journalism

The journalism minor prepares students to work in a variety of employment positions and industries that utilize research and communication for storytelling purposes. The Journalism minor pushes students to understand the knowledge and skills of journalism, improve the communities that journalists and storytellers serve, engage with stakeholders and audiences, and improve their own news literacy. Students pursuing a journalism minor learn what it means to be a responsible journalist; they also identify journalistic principles, ethical values, loyalties, and laws, and how and why these impact their work. They also learn how to translate journalistic behaviors and storytelling practices to their audiences and stakeholders. The journalism minor assists students in sustaining pro-democracy and civically engaged communities and stories.

Music

The music minor combines theory with performance. In addition to learning about music theory and composition, students will participate as a member of one of the university's musical ensembles. These include vocal groups, such as the Marquette University Chorus, and instrumental groups, such as wind ensemble, symphonic band, pep band, jazz ensemble and orchestra.

Sports Communication

The sports communication minor prepares students to understand the dynamics and challenges within the sports industry, and apply knowledge of communication-focused theories, concepts and methods to potential career paths within sports and sports media organizations. The program approaches the role of sports communication from a variety of viewpoints and perspectives and provides students with hands-on, applicable skill-building opportunities relevant to their own interests and career aspirations. Beyond simply gaining skills, and opportunities for real-world professional experiences, the program also aims to challenge students through a critical and holistic analysis of sports communication, as an influential factor within culture and society, and potential agent of social justice and positive change. Many students express an interest in professional careers within sports; a goal of this minor is to help prepare students with both a realistic understanding of potential opportunities, and a competitive edge in pursuing them.

Strategic Communication: Advertising, Corporate Communication and Public Relations

The strategic communication department offers minors in advertising, corporate communication and public relations. These minors require students to complete 18 credit hours in the minor area of study.