Department of Telecommunications / Bellisario College of Communications

The department trains students for careers in the telecommunications industries and is an internationally recognized center for research on telecommunications issues. The department's overarching goal is to prepare informed, responsible professionals for leadership roles in telecommunications and to conduct research and outreach that improve the functioning of telecommunications in modern society.

Students in the telecommunications and media industries major benefit from a mix of hands-on, professional work and theoretical approaches as they explore fundamental issues and current industry practices -- with an emphasis on developing the skills to become leaders in all forms of electronic media, including broadcast and cable TV, the internet, radio and telephony.

Through hands-on, real-life experiences students conceive and complete projects such as webcasts of the annual Penn State Dance Marathon (THON) and the Homecoming parade.Those events are viewed by thousands of people all over the world.

Students may specialize in management and entrepreneurship, audio and video production, law and policy, or international telecommunications. In the rapidly evolving telecommunications field, students are prepared to work in the telecommunications industry in a variety of capacities.

Emphasis on Teaching

Teaching is at the heart of the department's mission. With more than 170 years combined teaching experience, the telecommunications department has one of the strongest faculties anywhere in the world. Our teaching is based on a foundation of industry experience and scholarly research. The telecommunications faculty have more than 80 years combined industry experience, ranging from managing local radio stations to serving as regulatory counsel for some of the largest cable and telephone companies in the world.