Degrees at the College
B.S. or B.A. with a Major in Communication
The major in communication provides students
with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, manage, and
evaluate communication processes involving individuals, groups,
and the public. Graduates develop strong oral, written, and
interpersonal communication skills as well as an advanced
ability to analyze and critique messages, behaviors, and media.
Majors typically plan their upper-division
course work around four identified career paths: corporate
communication, health communication, interpersonal
relationships, and mass communication. Students also can tailor
their own unique program of study to meet specific needs.
Careful planning with the student's advisor is necessary.
Communication majors are encouraged to
participate in educational activities beyond regular course
offerings. The department has an excellent internship program
which offers the opportunity for work with employers in
corporate, government, and public service agencies. In addition,
students may elect to do independent study work with individual
faculty on special topics or projects. All majors are encouraged
to participate in a variety of student organizations providing
extracurricular activities designed to enhance the academic
experience and career opportunities. These include the
Communication Student Association, and, for those who qualify, a
Department Honors Society which is affiliated with Lambda Pi Eta
national communication honorary.
Degree Requirements
In addition to satisfying the University Studies
Requirements and the College B.A./B.S. Requirements, each
student completes the following:
| Premajor Requirements |
Hours
|
| COM 101 Introduction to Communications |
3
|
| COM 181 Basic Public Speaking or |
| COM 287 Persuasive Speaking |
3
|
| COM 252 Introduction to Interpersonal
Communication |
3
|
| JOU 204 Writing for the Mass
Media or |
| ENG 203 Business Writing or |
|
| ENG 205 Intermediate Writing |
3
|
| Any 3-credit course in statistics, such as
STA 200 or STA 291 |
3
|
| Subtotal: Premajor Hours |
15
|
| Major Requirements |
Hours
|
| Required |
| COM 351 Introduction to Communication
Theory |
3
|
| COM 365 Introduction to Communication
Research Methods |
3
|
| COM Electives |
| Six credits from the following: |
| COM 249 Mass Media and Mass Culture |
3
|
| COM 281 Communication in Small Groups |
3
|
| COM 319 World Media Systems |
3
|
| COM 325 Business and Industrial
Communication |
3
|
| Fifteen additional credits of
COM courses at the 300-level or above, of which at least
nine credits must be at the 400- and/or 500-level. |
| Cognate (15 hours) |
| Students must complete fifteen
hours in courses related to a Career Path (exclusive of
COM courses) at the 300-level or above, as approved by
student's academic advisor. |
| Subtotal: Major Hours |
42
|
| TOTAL HOURS: |
minimum of 120
|
Suggested Career Paths
|
-- Corporate Communication -- |
| Recommended COM Electives |
| COM 281 Communication in Small Groups |
3
|
| COM 325 Business and Industrial Communication |
3
|
| COM 452 Studies in Interpersonal
Communication or |
| COM 449 Social Processes and Effects of Mass
Communication |
3
|
| COM 525 Organizational Communication or |
| COM 482 Studies in Persuasion |
3
|
| COM 581 Studies in Small Group Communication Contexts |
3
|
| COM 399 Internship in Communication |
3
|
| Cognate Area |
| Courses in sociology, marketing, management,
journalism and telecommunications are often chosen for
this cognate. |
|
-- Health Communication -- |
| Recommended COM Electives |
| COM 281 Communication in Small Groups |
3
|
| COM 325 Business and Industrial Communication |
3
|
| COM 452 Studies in Interpersonal Communication |
3
|
| COM 525 Organizational Communication |
3
|
| COM 482 Studies in Persuasion |
3
|
| COM 571 Health Communication |
3
|
| COM 399 Internship in Communication |
3
|
| Cognate Area |
| Courses in sociology, psychology, behavioral
science, philosophy, journalism and telecommunications,
marketing and management are often chosen for this
cognate. |
|
-- Interpersonal Communication -- |
| Recommended COM Electives |
| COM 281 Communication in Small Groups |
3
|
| COM 350 Language and Communication |
3
|
| COM 452 Studies in Interpersonal Communication |
3
|
| COM 462 Intercultural Communication |
3
|
| COM 482 Studies in Persuasion |
3
|
| COM 581 Studies in Small Group Communication Contexts |
3
|
| COM 399 Internship in Communication |
3
|
| Cognate Area |
| Courses in sociology, psychology, family
studies, journalism and telecommunications are often
chosen for this cognate. |
|
-- Mass Communication -- |
| Recommended COM Electives |
| COM 249 Mass Media and Mass Culture |
3
|
| COM 319 World Media Systems |
3
|
| COM 449 Social Processes and Effects of Mass
Communication |
3
|
| COM 453 Mass Communication and Social Issues |
3
|
| COM 482 Studies in Persuasion |
3
|
| COM 399 Internship in Communication |
3
|
| Cognate Area |
| Courses in sociology, political science,
journalism and telecommunications, marketing and
management are often chosen for this cognate. |
|
