Communication Major

Communication Major Requirements

Program Goal

Human communication is the art and science of verbal and non-verbal messages. The goal of the communication major is to teach students how to consume and create these messages ethically.

Program Learning Outcome

Upon graduation, every student majoring in communication will exhibit the following learning outcomes:

1. Presentations: Increased confidence and competence in public presentations.
2. Relationships: Knowledge of the manner in which communication creates, maintains and transforms relationships and the ability to engage in effective and productive relational communication.
3. Contexts: Knowledge of the crucial role communication plays in community, professional and civic contexts, and the ability to use communication behaviors ethically and effectively in various contexts.
4. Diversity: Knowledge and respect for the role of culture and diversity in communication, and the ability to effectively communicate within and across cultures.
5. Influence: Competency in the construction and analysis of arguments and discourse intended to influence beliefs, attitudes, values, and practices.
6. Technology: Ability to effectively use communication technology and to critically evaluate how technology affects communication.
7. Research: Competence in systematic inquiry, including the process of asking questions, systematically attempting to answer them, and understanding the limitations of the conclusions reached.

Entry into the Major

A student desiring to enter the communication major will make a formal application to do so at some point following the successful completion of three college semesters.

Entry to the major will be granted based on the following qualifications:

1. Achievement of at least a 2.8 GPA in all of the pre-major communication requirements.
2. Successful completion of Major Admission Application and portfolio submission. Special circumstances may be considered by the communication division faculty.

Pre-major requirements should ordinarily be taken in the first two college years:

• COMM111 Fundamentals of Speech
• COMM212 Interpersonal Communication
• COMM230 Argument and Advocacy
• COMM240 Introduction to Mass Media
• COMS101 Computer Applications
• ENGL100 Stretch Composition I and ENGL101 Stretch Composition II or ENGL110 College Writing I
• ENGL210 College Writing II

Declaration of major process can begin here.

• COMM362 Social Media Communication
• SOCL320 Research Methods in Social Sciences

Core Requirements

All communication majors will be required to pass each of the following six core courses with at least a “C–” grade, while maintaining a 2.8 GPA requirement in Program Courses:

• COMM318 Small Group Communication
• COMM340 Rhetorical Traditions
• COMM389 Intercultural Communication
• COMM440 Communication Theory
• COMM475 Media Ecology
• COMM499 Communication Internship

Major Electives

At least 33 upper division (300–400 level) communication (COMM) credits are required for graduation with a communication major. Students may with advance planning create “Areas of Emphasis” consisting of groups of three or four upper division courses focusing on a particular aspect of communication studies. Emphases may consist of COMM offerings combined with courses that deal with communication in other disciplines — these courses all count toward the 33 credit requirement.

Areas of Emphasis

“Emphases” (groups of three or four upper division courses also focusing on a particular aspect of communication studies) provide communication majors maximum flexibility in tailoring programs to fit their interests and needs. Emphases make the communication major truly interdisciplinary, since courses can be drawn not only from communication (COMM) offerings, but from other curricular areas as well.

Internship Requirements

An essential component of the communication program, fieldwork experiences (internships) provide opportunities for students to apply classroom learning in real-life situations, explore career options, and build meaningful resumes.

Communication internships are available only to communication majors (COMM499 Communication Internship). At least three internship credits are required for graduation and count toward major requirements. As many as seven additional credits may be earned as upper division electives.

Students who minor in communication and desire an internship experience should pursue one within their chosen major.