Communication Studies, BS

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Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies requires 184 credits. All major courses, general education communication courses, and focused sequence of electives courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher.

Curriculum

Required courses and recommended terms during which they should be taken:

Freshman Year

Fall

COM 104 - Introduction to Communication Credit Hours: 3
COM 225 - Interpersonal Communication Credit Hours: 3
MIS 101 - Word Processing Software Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
PSY 201 - Psychology Credit Hours: 3
WRI 121 - English Composition Credit Hours: 3
Laboratory Science Elective Credit Hours: 4

Total: 17 Credit Hours

Winter

COM 105 - Introduction to Communication Theory Credit Hours: 3
COM 115 - Introduction to Mass Communication Credit Hours: 3
MIS 102 - Spreadsheet Software Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
PSY 202 - Psychology Credit Hours: 3
SPE 111 - Public Speaking Credit Hours: 3
WRI 122 - Argumentative Writing Credit Hours: 3

Total: 16 Credit Hours

Spring

ART 207 - Seminar Credit Hours: (Hours to be arranged each term.)
COM 106 - Introduction to Communication Research Credit Hours: 3
COM 205 - Intercultural Communication Credit Hours: 3
COM 109 - Introduction to Communication Technology Credit Hours: 3
MIS 103 - Presentation Graphics Software Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
PSY 203 - Psychology Credit Hours: 3

Total: 16 Credit Hours

Sophomore Year

Fall

COM 216 - Essentials of Grammar and Punctuation Credit Hours: 3
MATH - Any for which MATH 100 pre-req Credit Hours: 4
SPE 321 - Small Group and Team Communication Credit Hours: 3
WRI 227 - Technical Report Writing Credit Hours: 3
Social Science Elective Credit Hours: 3

Total: 16 Credit Hours

Winter

COM 237 - Introduction to Visual Communication Credit Hours: 3
COM 276 - Democracy and Media Credit Hours: 3
JOUR 211 - Publications-Student Newspaper Credit Hours: 3
Focused Sequence Elective Credit Hours: 3 (outside 1)**
Elective Credit Hours: 3

Total: 15 Credit Hours

Spring

COM 248 - Digital Media Production Credit Hours: 3
COM 255 - Communication Ethics Credit Hours: 3
Business Elective Credit Hours: 3
Focused Sequence Elective Credit Hours: 3 *
Laboratory Science/Math Elective Credit Hours: 4

Total: 16 Credit Hours

Junior Year

Fall

COM 301 - Rhetorical Theory and Application Credit Hours: 3
COM 325 - Gender and Communication Credit Hours: 3
COM 326 - Communication Research Credit Hours: 3
Focused Sequence Elective Credit Hours: 3 (outside 2)**
Elective (UD) Credit Hours: 3

Total: 15 Credit Hours

Winter

COM 345 - Organizational Communication I Credit Hours: 3
SPE 314 - Argumentation Credit Hours: 3
Elective (UD) Credit Hours: 3
Focused Sequence Elective in major (UD) Credit Hours: 3 (2)*
Focused Sequence Elective Credit Hours: 3 (outside 3)**

Total: 15 Credit Hours

Spring

COM 347 - Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Credit Hours: 3
COM 358 - Communication and the Law Credit Hours: 3
Focused Sequence Elective Credit Hours: 3 (outside 4)**
Humanities Elective Credit Hours: 3
Writing (UD) Credit Hours: 3

Total: 15 Credit Hours

Senior Year

Fall

COM 309 - Communication Technology in Use Credit Hours: 3
COM 420 - Externship Credit Hours: (Variable to a total of 15 credits)
Elective Credit Hours: 3
Humanities Elective (UD) Credit Hours: 3
Elective Credit Hours: 3

Total: 16 Credit Hours

Winter

COM 420 - Externship Credit Hours: (Variable to a total of 15 credits)
Focused Sequence Elective in major (UD) Credit Hours: 3 (3)*
Elective (UD) Credit Hours: 3
Science Elective Credit Hours: 3

Total: 13 Credit Hours

Spring

COM 420 - Externship Credit Hours: (Variable to a total of 15 credits)
COM 424 - Capstone Course Credit Hours: 3
Focused Sequence Elective in major (UD) Credit Hours: 3 (4)*
Laboratory Science/Math Elective Credit Hours: 4

Total: 14 Credit Hours

Curriculum Notes:

To earn the Bachelor of Science degree, students must complete 36 credits in mathematics and science or 45 credits in mathematics, science, and social science. Students must also complete 60 credits of upper-division courses.

There is no guarantee of externships for Communication Studies majors. The best externship experiences are often those identified and arranged by students.

Total for a B.S. in Communication Studies: 184 Credit Hours

* A series of four courses chosen from within the major applicable to the student’s career aspirations. Three of the four courses should be upper division. Students consult with their advisors when choosing these courses.
** A series of four courses chosen from outside the major applicable to the student’s career aspirations. Students consult with their advisors when choosing these courses