Major in Communication Studies
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 analytical skills in interpreting, using, and delivering information, particularly through mass media.
- Create professional written, oral, and visual communication for specific purposes and diverse audiences, applying structural and stylistic conventions.
- Design, create, and/or select multimedia components and integrate them into print, broadcast, and online media-rich resources.
- Manage successful communication activities within the ethical, legal, and financial parameters of the project and of the profession.
- Work with individuals and groups in ways that reflect an understanding of both communication theory and professional expectations.
- Use an understanding of diverse and intercultural perspectives as they affect communication practices.
- Design and/or employ specific research methodologies and tools to gather information for specific purposes.
Degree Requirements
A degree with a major in Communication Studies requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 33 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements (GERs); and 46 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 17 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).
The following course sequence outlines all the requirements for the BA in Communication Studies. Coursework for the major is indicated by Δ. Since some recommended courses fulfill 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.
Requirements for the Communication Studies Major
- Required foundation course (6 credits): COMM 300 and 302
- Speech communication course (3 credits): Any SPCH course
- Mass communication/media studies course (3 credits): Chosen from COMM 400, 410, and 493 and any JOUR courses
- Diversity communication courses (6 credits): Chosen from COMM 380 and SPCH 324, 472, and 482
- Specialization courses chosen from a single area (9 credits):
- Professional writing: Chosen from WRTG 393, 394, 459, 489, 490, 493, 494, and 496
- Speech communication: Chosen from any upper-level SPCH courses
- Media studies: Chosen from COMM 400, 410, 459, and 493 and any JOUR courses - Required research methods course (3 credits): COMM 480
- Required capstone course (3 credits): COMM 495
Recommended Sequence
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.
Communication Studies Degree Courses
First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)
Note: Placement tests required for MATH and WRTG courses.
LIBS 150 Introduction to Research (1)
WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)
or WRTG 101S Introduction to Writing
MATH 103 College Algebra (3)
or MATH 106 or a higher-level math courseIntroductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)
Δ SPCH 100 Foundations of Oral Communication (3)
or SPCH 101 Introduction to Public Speaking
or other speech course
HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3)
or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865
or HIST 125 Technological Transformation
or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the general education requirement in arts and humanities for the historical perspective
(discipline must differ from other humanities course)
BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)
or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology
or other course(s) to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences with related laboratory
WRTG 293 Introduction to Professional Writing (3)
or other communications/writing course
SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology (3)
or GVPT 170 American Government
or BEHS 103 Technology in Contemporary Society
or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to fulfill the first general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences
IFSM 201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology (3)
or CMST 301 Digital Media and Society
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in computingFoundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)
Δ COMM 300 Communication Theory (3)
Δ COMM 302 Mass Communication and Media Studies (3)
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
or BEHS 210 Introduction to Social and Behavioral Science
or ECON 103 Economics in the Information Age
or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences (discipline must differ from first)
NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences
PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
or HUMN 100 Introduction to Humanities
or a foreign language course or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in arts and humanities (discipline must differ from first)
JOUR 201 Introduction to News Writing (3)
or COMM 202 Media and Society
or any SPCH or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communication, writing or speech
IFSM 300 Information Systems in Organizations (3)
or CMIS 111 Social Networking and Cybersecurity Best Practices
or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement computingAdditional 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 fulfill the upper level advanced writing requirement
Δ COMM 400 Mass Media Law (3)
or other mass communication course for the major
Δ COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts (3)
or other diversity communication course for the major.
Δ SPCH 482 Intercultural Communication (3)
or other diversity communication course for the major.
Δ SPCH 324 Communication and Gender (3)
or other specialization course
Δ SPCH 426 Conflict Management (3)
or other specialization course
Δ SPCH 470 Effective Listening (3)
or other specialization course
Δ COMM 480 Research Methods in Communication Studies (3)
Capstone Course for Major (to be taken in the last 15 credits) (3)
Δ COMM 495 Senior Seminar in Communication Studies (3)
Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (46)
Total credits for BA in Communication Studies: 120
