Brief History

The Department of Communication Studies (SCS) was established in 1972 as the School of Journalism and Mass Communications with the objectives of improving the practice and understanding of journalism and mass communication; adding to knowledge through research; and to serve both practitioners in mass communication and the public who rely on the media. It offered programmes leading to the award of Graduate Diploma.

In 1974 the name of the School was changed to the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Then in 1985, it became known as the School of Communication Studies to reflect the wide variety of media-related courses that had been introduced into the School’s curriculum.

In 1998, the School converted its Graduate Diploma programme to a direct Master’s programme and currently offers two programmes in Communication Studies, namely, Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Philosophy (M.Phil). In addition, the School supervises a Bachelors programme at the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), the Christian Service University College (CSUC) and the African University College of Communications, which are affiliated to the University of Ghana.

The Department is governed by the University of Ghana Act of 1961 which places the School under the framework of the University Council and Academic Board.