B.A. in Communication Studies
Undergraduate faculty advisers (including Honors) are assigned by the Department. Contact the Department Chair.
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies
The Bachelor of Arts program provides a foundation for students to excel in organizational environments such as corporations, non-profits, and mass media. A balance of skills training and critical thinking subjects prepare students for careers in public relations, corporate communication, and related areas. Students are encouraged to be active in experiential and service learning projects through the department-sponsored student organizations such as the Communication Honors Society Lambda Pi Eta, professional fraternity Zeta Phi Eta, and PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America).
Communication studies has three concentration in which you can major:
- Communication Studies, Digital Communication Concentration, BA
- Communication Studies, Interpersonal Communications Concentration, BA
- Communication Studies - Organizational And Strategic Communication Concentration, BA
Communication Studies, Digital Communication Concentration, BA
Communication Studies, Interpersonal Communication Concentration, BA
Communication Studies - Organizational And Strategic Communication Concentration, BA
Communication Studies, Digital Communication Concentration, BA
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| REQUIRED COURSES for MAJOR: 18 CREDITS Students must achieve a minimum grade of C- in each of these core courses. | ||
| COMM 1010 | Comm Principles And Practices | 3 |
| or COMM 2000 | Mass Communication And Society | |
| COMM 2130 | Media Writing 1 | 3 |
| COMM 2500 | Social Media I: Introduction to Social Media | 3 |
| COMM 2600 | Public Presentations | 3 |
| COMM 2840 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMM 2870 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| REQUIRED COURSES FOR DIGITAL COMMUNICATION CONCENTRATION: 15 credits | ||
| COMM 2150 | Introduction to Digital Design | 3 |
| COMM 3500 | Social Media II: Social Media Communication Strategies | 3 |
| COMM 3340 | Visual Communication | 3 |
| COMM 4090 | Mass Communication Ethics (WAC) | 3 |
| COMM 3800 | Social Media III: Social Media Campaigns | 3 |
| or COMM 4340 | Advanced Visual Communication | |
| ELECTIVES COURSES FOR DIGITAL COMM CONCENTRATION: 9-17 credits (at least 6 credit hours at the 3000/4000 level) | ||
| COMM 2300 | Photojournalism | 3 |
| COMM 2820 | Group Communication | 3 |
| COMM 2990 | Independent Study | 1-4 |
| COMM 3150 | Feature Writing | 3 |
| COMM 3180 | Mass Communication Law (WAC) | 3 |
| COMM 3270 | Multimedia Newswriting (WAC) | 3 |
| COMM 3800 | Social Media III: Social Media Campaigns (If not taken as part of the above required) | 3 |
| COMM 4040 | Storytelling in Public and Private Spaces | 3 |
| COMM 4250 | Mass Communication History (WAC) | 3 |
| COMM 4330 | Integrated Media | 3 |
| COMM 4340 | Advanced Visual Communication (If not taken as part of the above required) | 3 |
| COMM 4900 | Communication Seminar | 3-4 |
| COMM 4940 | Communication Internship | 1-6 |
| COMM 4990 | Independent Study | 1-4 |
Communication Studies, Interpersonal Communication Concentration, BA
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| REQUIRED COURSES for MAJOR: 18 CREDITS Students must achieve a minimum grade of C- in each of these core courses. | ||
| COMM 1010 | Comm Principles And Practices | 3 |
| or COMM 2000 | Mass Communication And Society | |
| COMM 2130 | Media Writing 1 | 3 |
| COMM 2500 | Social Media I: Introduction to Social Media | 3 |
| COMM 2600 | Public Presentations | 3 |
| COMM 2840 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMM 2870 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| REQUIRED COURSES FOR INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION CONCENTRATION: 15 credits | ||
| COMM 2820 | Group Communication | 3 |
| COMM 3750 | Cultural Diversity in Communication | 3 |
| COMM 3820 | Persuasion Theory (WAC) | 3 |
| COMM 4830 | Gender, Culture & Communication (WAC) | 3 |
| COMM 3880 | Professional Business Communication | 3 |
| or COMM 4910 | Communication Studies Capstone | |
| ELECTIVES COURSES FOR INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION CONCENTRATION: 9-17 credits (at least 6 credit hours at the 3000/4000 level) | ||
| COMM 2810 | Nonverbal Communication | 3 |
| COMM 2990 | Independent Study | 1-4 |
| COMM 3760 | Health Communication | 3 |
| COMM 3850 | Research Methods in Everyday Life | 3 |
| COMM 3880 | Professional Business Communication (if not taken as part of the above required) | 3 |
| COMM 4820 | Family Communication (WAC) | 3 |
| COMM 4900 | Communication Seminar | 3-4 |
| COMM 4910 | Communication Studies Capstone (if not taken as part of the above required) | 3 |
| COMM 4940 | Communication Internship | 1-6 |
| COMM 4990 | Independent Study | 1-4 |
Communication Studies - Organizational and Strategic Communication Concentration, BA
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| REQUIRED COURSES for MAJOR: 18 CREDITS Students must achieve a minimum grade of C- in each of these core courses. | ||
| COMM 1010 | Comm Principles And Practices | 3 |
| or COMM 2000 | Mass Communication And Society | |
| COMM 2130 | Media Writing 1 | 3 |
| COMM 2500 | Social Media I: Introduction to Social Media | 3 |
| COMM 2600 | Public Presentations | 3 |
| COMM 2840 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMM 2870 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| REQUIRED COURSES FOR ORGANIZATIONAL AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION CONCENTRATION: 15 credits | ||
| COMM 2830 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| COMM 3720 | Introduction to Public Relations | 3 |
| COMM 3750 | Cultural Diversity in Communication | 3 |
| COMM 4640 | Public Relations Case Studies (WAC) | 3 |
| COMM 3880 | Professional Business Communication | 3 |
| or COMM 4630 | Public Relations Campaigns | |
| ELECTIVES COURSES FOR ORGANIZATIONAL AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION CONCENTRATION: 9-17 credits (at least 6 credit hours at the 3000/4000 level) | ||
| COMM 2820 | Group Communication | 3 |
| COMM 2890 | Crisis & Conflict in Organizations | 3 |
| COMM 2990 | Independent Study | 1-4 |
| COMM 3500 | Social Media II: Social Media Communication Strategies | 3 |
| COMM 3610 | Speech Writing | 3 |
| COMM 3820 | Persuasion Theory (WAC) | 3 |
| COMM 3880 | Professional Business Communication (if not taken as part of the above required) | 3 |
| COMM 4260 | Communication in Non-Profit Organizations | 3 |
| COMM 4270 | Special Event Planning | 3 |
| COMM 4630 | Public Relations Campaigns (if not taken as part of the above required) | 3 |
| COMM 4900 | Communication Seminar | 3-4 |
| COMM 4940 | Communication Internship | 1-6 |
| COMM 4990 | Independent Study | 1-4 |
Communication Studies, Digital Communication Concentration, BA
Communication Studies, Interpersonal Communication Concentration, BA
Communication Studies - Organizational And Strategic Communication Concentration, BA
Communication Studies, Digital Communication Concentration, BA
| First Term | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| AR 1000 | First Year Orientation | 1 |
| ENGL 1110 | College Composition I | 3 |
| MATH 1180 | Reasoning With Mathematics | 3 |
| COMM 1010 or COMM 2000 | Comm Principles And Practices or Mass Communication And Society | 3 |
| Elementary Foreign Language I | 4 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Second Term | ||
| ENGL 1130 | College Composition II: Academic Disciplines And Discourse | 3 |
| COMM 2600 | Public Presentations | 3 |
| COMM 2840 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| Natural Sciences Core | 3 | |
| Elementary Foreign Language II | 4 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Third Term | ||
| COMM 2130 | Media Writing 1 | 3 |
| COMM 2500 | Social Media I: Introduction to Social Media | 3 |
| Intermediate Foreign Language I or approved culture course | 3 | |
| Social Sciences Core | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences Core | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences Core (Lab) | 1 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Term | ||
| COMM 2870 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| Intermediate Foreign Language II or approved culture course | 3 | |
| Social Sciences Core | 3 | |
| ENGL 2710-ENGL 2800 Arts/Humanities Core (English Lit) | 3 | |
| Arts/Humanities Core (History) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fifth Term | ||
| COMM 2150 | Introduction to Digital Design | 3 |
| COMM 3500 | Social Media II: Social Media Communication Strategies | 3 |
| Diversity of US | 3 | |
| COMM Major Elective | 3 | |
| Related or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sixth Term | ||
| COMM 3340 | Visual Communication | 3 |
| Required Arts Elective | 3 | |
| Elective (WAC) | 3 | |
| COMM Major Elective | 3 | |
| Related or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Seventh Term | ||
| COMM 4090 | Mass Communication Ethics (WAC) | 3 |
| Non-US Diversity | 3 | |
| Elective Humanities | 3 | |
| COMM Major Elective | 4 | |
| Related or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Eighth Term | ||
| COMM 3880 or COMM 4340 | Professional Business Communication or Advanced Visual Communication | 3 |
| COMM Major Elective | 3 | |
| COMM Major Elective | 4 | |
| Related or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Communication Studies, Interpersonal Communication Concentration, BA
| First Term | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| AR 1000 | First Year Orientation | 1 |
| ENGL 1110 | College Composition I | 3 |
| MATH 1180 | Reasoning With Mathematics | 3 |
| COMM 1010 or COMM 2000 | Comm Principles And Practices or Mass Communication And Society | 3 |
| Elementary Foreign Language I | 4 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Second Term | ||
| ENGL 1130 | College Composition II: Academic Disciplines And Discourse | 3 |
| COMM 2600 | Public Presentations | 3 |
| COMM 2840 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| Natural Sciences Core | 3 | |
| Elementary Foreign Language II | 4 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Third Term | ||
| COMM 2130 | Media Writing 1 | 3 |
| COMM 2500 | Social Media I: Introduction to Social Media | 3 |
| Intermediate Foreign Language I or approved culture course | 3 | |
| Social Sciences Core | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences Core | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences Core (Lab) | 1 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Term | ||
| COMM 2870 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| Intermediate Foreign Language II or approved culture course | 3 | |
| Social Sciences Core | 3 | |
| ENGL 2710-ENGL 2800 Arts/Humanities Core (English Lit) | 3 | |
| Arts/Humanities Core (History) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fifth Term | ||
| COMM 2820 | Group Communication | 3 |
| COMM 3750 | Cultural Diversity in Communication | 3 |
| Diversity of US | 3 | |
| COMM Major Elective | 3 | |
| Related or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sixth Term | ||
| COMM 3820 | Persuasion Theory (WAC) | 3 |
| COMM Major Elective | 3 | |
| Required Arts Elective | 3 | |
| Elective (WAC) | 3 | |
| Related or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Seventh Term | ||
| COMM 4830 | Gender, Culture & Communication (WAC) | 3 |
| Non-US Diversity | 3 | |
| Elective Humanities | 3 | |
| COMM Major Elective | 4 | |
| Related or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Eighth Term | ||
| COMM 3880 or COMM 4910 | Professional Business Communication or Communication Studies Capstone | 3 |
| COMM Major Elective | 3 | |
| COMM Major Elective | 4 | |
| Related or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Communication Studies - Organizational And Strategic Communication Concentration, BA
| First Term | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| AR 1000 | First Year Orientation | 1 |
| ENGL 1110 | College Composition I | 3 |
| MATH 1180 | Reasoning With Mathematics | 3 |
| COMM 1010 or COMM 2000 | Comm Principles And Practices or Mass Communication And Society | 3 |
| Elementary Foreign Language I | 4 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Second Term | ||
| ENGL 1130 | College Composition II: Academic Disciplines And Discourse | 3 |
| COMM 2600 | Public Presentations | 3 |
| COMM 2840 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| Natural Sciences Core | 3 | |
| Elementary Foreign Language II | 4 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Third Term | ||
| COMM 2130 | Media Writing 1 | 3 |
| COMM 2500 | Social Media I: Introduction to Social Media | 3 |
| Intermediate Foreign Language I or approved culture course | 3 | |
| Social Sciences Core | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences Core | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences Core (Lab) | 1 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Term | ||
| COMM 2870 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| Intermediate Foreign Language II or approved culture course | 3 | |
| Social Sciences Core | 3 | |
| Arts/Humanities Core (History) | 3 | |
| ENGL 2710-ENGL 2800 Arts/Humanities Core (English Lit) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fifth Term | ||
| COMM 2830 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| COMM 3720 | Introduction to Public Relations | 3 |
| Diversity of US | 3 | |
| COMM Major Elective | 3 | |
| Related or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sixth Term | ||
| COMM 3750 | Cultural Diversity in Communication | 3 |
| Required Arts Elective | 3 | |
| Elective (WAC) | 3 | |
| COMM Major Elective | 3 | |
| Related or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Seventh Term | ||
| COMM 4640 | Public Relations Case Studies (WAC) | 3 |
| Non-US Diversity | 3 | |
| Elective Humanities | 3 | |
| COMM Major Elective | 4 | |
| Related or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Eighth Term | ||
| COMM 3880 or COMM 4630 | Professional Business Communication or Public Relations Campaigns | 3 |
| COMM Major Elective | 3 | |
| COMM Major Elective | 4 | |
| Related or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Communication Studies, Digital Communication Concentration, BA
1. Articulate the history and evolution of digital communication.2. Create successful visual narratives in a variety of digital contexts with a broad understanding of information architecture.
3. Discriminately select appropriate digital platforms, tools, and content to reach and professionally communicate information to (a) defined audience(s).
4. Evaluate, critique, and refine digital content.
5. Effectively and ethically use various digital tools and platforms to accomplish personal and professional goals.
6. Apply gained knowledge and skills to enhance digital citizenship.
7. Understand and be adequately prepared for a career in the rapidly evolving digital industry.
Communication Studies, Interpersonal Communication Concentration, BA
Define, explain, and apply basic terminology, principles, and theories to a variety of communication situations in interpersonal relationships.1. Analyze, adjust, and improve communication behaviors to achieve interpersonal communication goals.
2. Evaluate characteristics of specific audiences and effectively use a variety of communication channels to successfully communicate in personal and professional settings.
3. Evaluate and apply how concepts like culture, gender, ethnicity, and other societal categories impact interpersonal communication in various settings.
4. Create a portfolio that can be used for application to graduate school or in a career search in areas such as sales; training; consulting; fundraising; advocacy; research; management; negotiation; and direction and coordination of community outreach programs, corporate communication, customer service, nonprofit organizations, and more.
Communication Studies - Organizational And Strategic Communication Concentration, BA
1. Create original and persuasive public relations campaigns.2. Devise solutions to contemporary challenges in public relations campaigns.
3. Demonstrate comprehension of public relations theory.
4. Assess and critique current public relation trends.
5. Construct and deliver persuasive oral presentations based on audience analysis.