Oral Communication is what in the past has been referred to as Public Speaking. However there is so much more that students need to be prepared to do than just give speeches.

Oral Communication and Principles of Speech is a required course for most majors at MDCC. It exposes them to understanding how they communicate with themselves through thoughts, attitudes, beliefs and values, and how this affects their communication with others. They also learn skills needed in conflict management, interviewing, working in small groups as well as being introduced to speaking in public.

Voice and Diction is studies of the physical bases of speech concentrating on helping students improve vocal qualities such as articulation, pronunciation, and expressiveness.

Students who major in Oral Communication can go into education, law, politics, religion, theatre, speech pathology, and radio/television or any media occupation. The faculty for Oral Communications classes includes Marcia Hudson and Lilly Land.