Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) | Print-Friendly Page (opens a new window)
Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Adviser Name:_______________________ Catalog: 2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog Program: Communication Studies Major, B.A. Minimum Credits Required:__________________

Communication Studies Major, B.A.

Department of Communication Studies 

College of Letters, Arts and Sciences  

   Available Program Format(s): In-Person 

About the Program

Communication Studies majors develop the skills and abilities necessary to succeed in a wide variety of contexts - from professional life to personal relationships, personal growth to community building, to promoting diversity and yourself. The major is designed to allow students to chart their own course of study across personal, professional, and public contexts. Students have the option of selecting a formal concentration in Professional and Organizational Communication or Rhetoric and Public Culture. To effectively tailor the degree to your personal and professional goals, elective courses should be selected in consultation with a Communication Studies advisor.

Student Outcomes

  1. Articulate and advocate for communication as an orientation for evaluating and addressing issues and problems in personal, professional, and public contexts.  
  2. Develop and apply communication strategies appropriate to purpose, context, technology, and audience.  
  3. Communicate with excellence in oral, written, and/or visual modes. 
  4. Collaborate effectively with others in groups and teams.  
  5. Cultivate a critical awareness of diverse experiences and viewpoints in order to practice ethical communication.  

General Degree Requirements

To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the four areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.

  • Degree and Certificate Requirements 
  • General Studies Requirements 
  • Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Graduation Requirement 
  • Senior Experience Graduation Requirements 

Program Requirements

  • A total of 120 semester hours are required for graduation. 
  • A grade of C- or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the bachelor’s degree. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required.

General Studies Requirements: 33 credits

Students should consult the General Studies Requirements for a list of courses that fulfill the General Studies Requirements for degree completion.  

  • Written Communication (6 credits)
  • Oral Communication (3 credits) 
  • Quantitative Literacy (3 credits) 
  • Arts and Humanities (6 credits) 
  • Historical (3 credits) 
  • Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits) 
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits) 
  • Global Diversity (0 or 3 credits**)

 

** Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: arts and humanities; historical; natural and physical sciences; or social and behavioral sciences.

Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Requirement: 0 or 3 credits

  • Students should consult the Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Graduation Requirement for a list of courses that fulfill the ESSJ Requirement for degree completion.
  • Many programs include courses that meet this requirement. Students should consult with their advisor to determine what program courses may fulfill this requirement. 

Communication Studies Core: 24 credits

Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed

Select one of these courses:

COMM 1010 - Presentational Speaking Credits: 3

or

COMM 1100 - Fundamentals of Oral Communication Credits: 3

 

Complete this course:

COMM 2200 - Introduction to Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3

 

Select two of the following courses:

COMM 2030 - Intercultural Communication Credits: 3
COMM 2040 - Team and Group Communication Credits: 3
COMM 2300 - Introduction to Organizational Communication Credits: 3
COMM 2400 - Introduction to Rhetoric and Popular Culture Credits: 3

 

Complete all of the following courses:

COMM 3000 - Diversity and Communication in the U.S. Credits: 3
COMM 3100 - Communication Theory Credits: 3
COMM 4100 - Communication Ethics Credits: 3

 

Select one of the following research methods courses:

COMM 3110 - Applied Communication Research Methods Credits: 3

or

COMM 3400 - Rhetorical Criticism Credits: 3

Option One: Communication Studies Major: 18 credits

Communication Studies students may select any five Elective Courses (15 credit hours) based on their own interests, goals, and aspirations. The majority of students’ elective courses should be upper-division. Consult with a faculty advisor when selecting these courses. 

Students also complete a Capstone/Senior Experience Course (3 credit hours).

Elective Courses: 15 credits

Select any five courses of the following courses:

Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
COMM 2010 - Gender and Communication Credits: 3
COMM 2020 - Introduction to Health Communication Credits: 3
COMM 2030 - Intercultural Communication Credits: 3
COMM 2040 - Team and Group Communication Credits: 3
  • Or any COMM course 3000-level and above

    • Capstone/Senior Experience: 3 credits

    ​Complete one of the following three courses:

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    COMM 4910 - Applied Communication Research Project Credits: 3
    COMM 4920 - Senior Seminar Credits: 3
    COMM 4930 - Senior Communication Internship Credits: 3-6

    Option Two: Communication Studies Major with Concentration in Professional and Organizational Communication: 18 credits

    The majority of students’ concentration and/or elective courses should be upper-division. Consult with a faculty advisor when selecting these courses.

    Students electing a Concentration in Professional and Organizational Communication must complete the Communication Studies Core and the following:

    Concentration Courses: 9 credits

    Students must complete any three of the following courses:

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    COMM 3010 - Business and Professional Speaking Credits: 3
    COMM 3030 - Group Communication and Collaboration Credits: 3
    COMM 3040 - Crisis Communication Credits: 3
    COMM 3310 - Communication Systems and Structures in Organizations Credits: 3
    COMM 3320 - Communication and Quality of Work/Life Credits: 3
    COMM 3330 - Organizational Culture and Identity Credits: 3
    COMM 3340 - Leadership Communication Credits: 3
    COMM 4310 - Decision Making Credits: 3
    COMM 4320 - Organizational Communication Consulting Credits: 3
    COMM 4330 - Organizational Learning and Development Credits: 3

    Elective Courses: 6 credits

    Students must complete any two courses from the following:

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    COMM 2010 - Gender and Communication Credits: 3
    COMM 2020 - Introduction to Health Communication Credits: 3
    COMM 2030 - Intercultural Communication Credits: 3
    COMM 2040 - Team and Group Communication Credits: 3
  • Or any other COMM course at the 3000-level or above.

    • Capstone/Senior Experience: 3 credits

    Students must complete one of the following courses:

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    COMM 4910 - Applied Communication Research Project Credits: 3
    COMM 4920 - Senior Seminar Credits: 3
    COMM 4930 - Senior Communication Internship Credits: 3-6

    Option Three: Communication Studies Major with Concentration in Rhetoric and Public Culture: 18 credits

    The majority of students’ concentration and/or elective courses should be upper-division. Consult with a faculty advisor when selecting these courses.

    Students electing a Concentration in Rhetoric and Public Culture must complete the Communication Studies Core and the following:

    Concentration Courses: 9 Credit Hours

    Students must complete any three of the following courses:

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    COMM 3010 - Business and Professional Speaking Credits: 3
    COMM 3020 - Advanced Public Speaking Credits: 3
    COMM 3040 - Crisis Communication Credits: 3
    COMM 3410 - Rhetoric and Public Culture Credits: 3
    COMM 3420 - Arguing Constructively Credits: 3
    COMM 3430 - Communication in Politics Credits: 3
    COMM 4410 - Techniques of Persuasion Credits: 3
    COMM 4420 - Freedom of Speech Credits: 3
    COMM 4440 - Sports Discourse in Media and Culture Credits: 3
    COMM 4450 - Social Movement Rhetoric Credits: 3

    Elective Courses: 6 credits

    Students must complete any two courses of the following courses:

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    COMM 2010 - Gender and Communication Credits: 3
    COMM 2020 - Introduction to Health Communication Credits: 3
    COMM 2030 - Intercultural Communication Credits: 3
    COMM 2040 - Team and Group Communication Credits: 3
  • Or any other COMM course at the 3000-level or above. 

    • Capstone/Senior Experience: 3 credits

    Students must complete one of the following courses:

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    COMM 4910 - Applied Communication Research Project Credits: 3
    COMM 4920 - Senior Seminar Credits: 3
    COMM 4930 - Senior Communication Internship Credits: 3-6

    Summary of Requirements

    General Studies Requirement 33 credits
    ESSJ Requirement 0-3 credits
    Major Requirements 24 credits
    Concentration/Additional Courses 18 credits
    Senior Experience counted in above sections
    Unrestricted Electives 42-57 credits
    Total for the Communication Studies Major, B.A. 120 credits

    Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and ESSJ requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.

    Notes:





    Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) | Print-Friendly Page (opens a new window)