The major in communication studies provides students with an appropriate balance of theoretical knowledge and sophisticated, practical communication skills. Students learn how people create and use messages to generate meaning within and across various contexts, cultures, channels, and media. The multidisciplinary curriculum covers speech communication, mass communication and new media, journalism, public relations, business writing, and technical writing. It encourages students to develop written, oral, and visual communication skills; to apply communication theories to both personal and professional situations; and to increase their understanding of human interaction. Students with a major in communication studies are prepared for a wide variety of careers in areas such as journalism, public relations, marketing, communication, and professional writing.

The student who graduates with a Major in Communication Studies will be able to

• Apply communication theories — including both speech communication and mass communication theories — to various situations and contexts.



• Identify and apply effective strategies for creating, editing and presenting effective written messages to different audiences and within different contexts.



• Explain the role media and mass communication plays in society.



• Describe and use effective interaction styles in communication with others across a variety of contexts.



• Analyze any communication situation and be able to apply appropriate oral and/or written communication skills as needed.



• Use tools and technology to gather information as well as to develop and deliver messages.



• Critically analyze information for creating effective oral or written messages and for evaluating messages.

A degree with a major in Communication Studies requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 30 credits for the major (indicated by Δ); 41 credits in general education requirements (GERs); and 49 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Coursework for a major in communication studies includes the following:

• Required foundation course (6 credits): COMM 300 and 302
• Writing and language arts course (3 credits): Chosen from COMM 380; WRTG 288, 289, 388, 390, 391, 393, 394, and 489
• Mass communication course (3 credits): Chosen from COMM 400 and any JOUR courses
• Speech Communication course (3 credits): Any SPCH course
• Capstone course (3 credits): Chosen from COMM 495, SPCH 397, and WRTG 493
• Supplemental major courses (12 credits): Chosen from PSYC 334 and 424; HRMN 302 and 367; MRKT 310 and 456; and any COMM, JOUR, SPCH, or WRTG courses

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the Major in Communication Studies. Since some recommended courses fill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options. Information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues) may be found on the GER page.

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)
Note: Placement tests required for MATH and WRTG courses.

LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)

WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)

MATH 107 College Algebra (3)
or MATH 106 or a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3)
or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865
or other ARTH or HIST course to satisfy the arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective

BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)
or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology
or other course(s) to satisfy the biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement

WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to satisfy the communications/writing requirement

SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology
or GVPT 170 American Government (3)
or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to satisfy the first behavioral and social sciences requirement

IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3)
or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
or BEHS 210 Introduction to Social and Behavioral Science
or other course to satisfy the second behavioral and social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first)

NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other course to satisfy the biological and physical sciences lecture requirement

PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
or a foreign language course
or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, or literature course to satisfy the arts and humanities requirement (discipline must differ from other humanities course)

SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3)
or JOUR 201 Writing for the Mass Media
or other course to satisfy the communications/writing or speech requirement

IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3)
or other course to satisfy the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement

Δ COMM 300 Communication Theory (3)

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

WRTG 393 Advanced Technical Writing (3)
or WRTG 394 Advanced Business Writing
or other course to satisfy the communications/upper-level intensive writing requirement

Δ COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts (3)
or other writing or language arts course for the major.

Δ COMM 400 Communication and the Law (3)
or JOUR 330 Public Relations Theory
or other mass communications course for the major

Δ SPCH 470 Listening (3)
or any speech communications course for the major

Δ COMM 493 Strategies for Visual Communications (3)
or other supplemental major course

Δ SPCH 482 Intercultural Communication (3)
or other course(s) to satisfy the requirements for supplemental major coursework

Δ Any COMM, JOUR, SPCH, or WRTG course (3)
(supplemental major course)

Δ A supplemental major course (3)

Δ A supplemental major course (3)

Capstone Course for Major (to be taken in the last 15 credits) (3)

Δ COMM 495 Seminar in Workplace Communication
or SPCH 397 Organizational Presentations
or WRTG 493 Seminar in Technical Communication

Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (49)

Total credits for BA in Communication Studies: 120