Programs

Communication Studies Major

This major teaches face-to-face communication skills and critical thinking skills based upon a body of knowledge that is transportable and applicable to a variety of career paths. Performance and theoretical electives afford students the opportunity to tailor their studies to their interests as they prepare for careers ranging from sales to supervision, from the ministry to law. A background in communication studies is an asset to all career-minded individuals who must communicate clearly, forcefully and persuasively.

All department majors must maintain a 2.50 grade point average in the major and earn at least a “C-” in all major courses that are required for graduation, unless otherwise noted. 

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For course description, click on the course.

• Total Credits Required for Degree

  120
• General Education

  30-40

• Required Courses in Major

  44-48

• ---

• Introductory Core

  12
• SP 100 Public Address [EFFC]

  4
• SP 110 Interpersonal Communication [INTT]

  4
• SP 120 Small Group Process

  4
• Critical Thinking

  8
• SP 200 Argumentation

  4
• SP 250 Research Methods and Careers in Communication

  4
• Theoretical Foundation

  8
• SP 310 Communication Theory

  4
• SP 320 New Media Literacy

  4
• Applications

  2
• SP 491 Practicum in Communication Studies

  1-8
• SP 492 Internship in Communication Studies

  1-8
• Assessment

  2
• SP 480 Communication Capstone

  2
• Concentration

  12-16
• Choose one area of specialization and declare that track with departmental advisor before the end of the Junior year.

• ---

•     Health and Environmental Communication

  16
•      BC 430 Health Communication and Media [INTT]

  4
•      SP 422 Crisis Communication

  4
•      SP 432 Environmental Communication or

  4
•          PR 432 Environmental Campaigns (4 cr.)
•     Choose one course from the following:

  4
•          AH 336 Health Care in a Multi-Cultural Society (3 cr.) [SOCR]
•          GC 424 Environmental Justice (4 cr.)
•          HL 322 International Health Issues (4 cr.) [SOCR]
•          NAS 342 Indigenous Environmental Movements (4 cr.) [INTT]
•          NU 386 Interdisciplinary Study in Global Healthcare - Latin America (3 cr.) [SOCR]
•     Interpersonal/Intercultural Communication

  12
•      BC 415 Intercultural Communication [SOCR]

  4
•      SP 410 Advanced Interpersonal Communication

  4
•     Choose one course from the following:

  4
•          AN 320 Native Peoples of North America (4 cr.)
•          NAS 342 Indigenous Environmental Movements (4 cr.) [INTT]
•          NU 386 Interdisciplinary Study in Global Healthcare - Latin America (3 cr.) [SOCR]
•          PS 440 Race, Politics and Public Policy (4 cr.) [SOCR]
•          SN 314 Contemporary Latin American Culture (4 cr.) [PERS]
•     Organizational Communication

  12
•      SP 421 Organizational Communication

  4
•      PR 332 Corporate Social Responsibility

  4
•     Choose one course from the following:

  4
•          SP 402 Communication Criticism (4 cr.)
•          SP 410 Advanced Interpersonal Communication (4 cr.)
•          SP 422 Crisis Communication (4 cr.)
•          MGT 240 Organizational Behavior and Management (4 cr.)
•          MGT 355 Methods of Training (4 cr.)
•     Public Communication and Social Influence

  12
•      SP 401 Persuasion

  4
•      SP 422 Crisis Communication

  4
•     Choose one course from the following:

  4
•          BC 470 Mass Communication Law (4 cr.)
•          BC 480 Media and Politics (4 cr.) or
•              PS 480 Media and Politics (4 cr.)
•          LDR 300 Leadership in Diverse Workplaces (4 cr.) [SOCR]
•          NAS 310 Tribal Law and Government (4 cr.)
•          PR 432 Environmental Campaigns (4 cr.)
•          PS 440 Race, Politics and Public Policy (4 cr.) [SOCR]
•          PSY 220 Social Psychology (4 cr.)
•          SP 402 Communication Criticism (4 cr.)
•          SP 432 Environmental Communication (4 cr.)

This major does not require a minor.