Degree Requirements

In addition to the requirements of the academic major, students must comply with the General Academic Regulations for Graduation  and Undergraduate Academic Policies .  As part of these policies, students must complete the General College Curriculum , which is based on the degree.

Major Requirements

Communication Studies majors may specialize in one of seven concentrations for the Bachelor of Arts Degree: broadcasting and electronic media (traditional television/video and radio); communication generalist; communication pre-law; digital and new media; converged journalism (newspaper, magazine, and digital/electronic); and public and interpersonal communication; and public relations and corporate communication; or pursue the Bachelor of Science with a major in Health Communication, Sports Communication, or Communication Training and Development. Students also may pursue accelerated dual degrees in Health Communication with the Master of Science in Public Health (4+1) and Communication Studies Pre-Law with the Juris Doctorate (3+3). As stated in the general academic regulations, Communication Studies majors must have a “C” or better in each course in the major.

Core:

• COMM 280 - Introduction to Communication Theory (3)
• COMM 160 - Presentational Speaking (3)
• COMM 170 - Writing for the Mass Media (3)
• COMM 240 - Interpersonal Communication (3)
• COMM 370 - Communication Ethics (3)
• COMM 390 - Organizational Communication (3)
• COMM 450 - Internship (3)

Concentration Core:

• COMM 211 - Introduction to Public Relations (3)
• COMM 391 - Health Communication (3)

Research Segment:

• COMM 310 - Quantitative Research Methods (3)
• COMM 410 - Rhetorical Criticism (3)

Concentration Elective:

(one of the following courses)

• COMM 261 - Team and Small Group Communication (3)
• COMM 311 - Introduction to Persuasion (3)
• COMM 380 - Qualitative Research Methods (3)
• COMM 401 - Problems in Public Relations (3)
• COMM 430 - Cross Cultural Communication (3)

Advanced Concentration Elective:

(one of the following)

• COMM 541 - Communication and Social Change (3)
• COMM 561 - Advanced Health Communication (3)

Additional GCC Restrictions:

Free Electives:

40 hours of electives; a minor is recommended (biology, general science, history, management, marketing, political science, psychology, or religion are suggested minors). Alternatively, in lieu of a minor, students are directed, in consultation with their adviser, to take at least three courses (9 hours minimum) from one of the following Restricted Elective lists (outside and beyond the requirements of the General College Curriculum or the Health Communication major):