Degree Programs

Application Process

Those who wish to earn the Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies must complete the following procedure:

Contact the department chair to arrange an interview with the department. Before the scheduled interview, the student shall submit a writing sample to the chair. The sample may be either an original essay or an essay developed in class. Following the interview, the student will be advised in writing of the department's decision on the application to major in Communication Studies. Upon acceptance, the student will be assigned an advisor to assist in developing a schedule of courses to complete the major.

Following acceptance as a candidate for the Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, the student must complete a declaration of major. Should the student wish to pursue a minor in Communication, the student should complete a declaration of minor as soon as possible. This procedure generally takes place by the first semester of the student's junior year to ensure that the student has completed the General Education Requirements, and to provide time to complete the major requirements in a reasonable fashion. The department will, from time to time, review the progress of the student. The student's advisor shall inform the student about the conclusions of the departmental review.

Major in Communication

The Major in Communication is for students who plan careers in communication or graduate school in journalism or the professions.

Students will complete the following course of studies:

Core Requirements

An appropriate introductory literature course or courses: 3-6 hours
Second year of a foreign language: 6 hours

Four hours selected from the following:

MATH 208 Elementary Probability and Statistics
AJUS 203 / PSYC 203 / SOCI 203: Quantitative Methods in the Behavioral Sciences

Three hours selected from the following:
COMM 100 Public Speaking
COMM 200 Oral Interpretation

Three hours selected from one of the following:
ENGL 326 Selected Readings from English Literature II
ENGL 381 Survey of American Poetry and Prose I
ENGL 382 Survey of American Poetry and Prose II

All of the following courses:
COMM 310 Intro. to Journalism and Media Writing
COMM 320 Media Studies
COMM  330 Interpersonal Communication
COMM 340 Business and Professional Communication
ENGL 325 Selected Readings from English Literature I
ENGL 395 Literary Criticism
AJUS 303 / PSYC 303 / SOCI 303 Methods of Social and Behavioral Sciences
COMM 491, 492 ENGL 491, 492 Senior Seminar I& II

Total For Core Requirements: 41 hours

Students who choose a concentration in Communications will complete an additional 15 hours from the following, to be selected in conference with their advisor and the chair of the Department of Languages and Literature:

COMM 300 Advanced Public Speaking
COMM 311 Advanced Print Journalism
COMM 312 Adsvanced Writing for Radio-TV-Film
COMM 321 FIlm Analysis
COMM 322 / THTR 351 Film and Vidoe Production Techniques
COMM 341 Organizational COmmunication
COMM 350 Communication Theory
COMM 400 Persuasion
COMM 420 Screen Media Theory and Criticism
COMM 430 Nonverbal Communication
COMM 431 Family Communication
COMM 396 / 496 Special Topics in Communication
COMM 487 & 488 Internship in Communication
COMM 497 Independent Study in Communication
BUAD 341 Conflict Management
ENGL 321 Advanced Composition

Total Hours for Major: 56

Licensure for Teaching Journalism, Speech or Theatre Arts

Licensure in journalism, speech, or theatre arts may be added to basic licensure in English by completing the appropriate coursework.

Journalism: Licensure to teach journalism may be obtained by completing 15 hours of Communications courses, to include at least one of the following: COMM 310, COMM 311, or COMM 312, in addition to the prescribed program for English licensure.

Speech: Licensure to teach speech may be added to the basic licensure
in English by taking 15 hours of Communications courses, to include COMM 100, COMM 200, and COMM 330.

Theatre Arts: Licensure to teach theatre arts may be added to the basic licensure in English by taking 15 hours of theatre courses including THTR 100 or THTR 101, and a minimum of two hours of THTR 250.