The communication studies major allows students to focus attention on fundamental skills in communication that can be applied across disciplines. Coursework includes a focus on foundational principles rooted in interpersonal, intercultural, and persuasive communication, which can be combined with work in business management and marketing. Students will be prepared for careers in corporate and non-profit communication, training and development, human resources, sales, community outreach, and other fields that rely on the tailoring of personal messages for audiences. Students may choose to specialize in Organizational Communication, Communication & Marketing, or to tailor a communication studies program to their own specialized interests by working with their academic advisor.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Students will understand and expand on interpersonal, intercultural, and group communication skills.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between communication, culture, and relational contexts in order to apply effective communication skills to a variety of interactions.
- Students will apply communication concepts, theories, and methods to real-world events, issues, and problems.
- Students will be challenged to demonstrate ethical and responsible communication application within the workplace.
Courses
General Education Requirements - 50 hours
English 1301, 1302, and three hours sophomore literature - 9
Fine Arts (three hours from music, theatre, fine arts, art, or equivalent) - 3
Modern Language (at least one semester second year, all hours in same language) - 11
Christian Ministry 1320 and 1330 - 6
History - 3
Political Science 2305 - 3
Social Science (CJUS, ECON, GEOG, PSYC, SOCI) - 3
Physical Activity - KINE 1238 - 2
Science (must be lab science) - 4
Mathematics - 3
Communication 1311, 1315, or 1318 - 3
Major area of study (see below) - 51
Minor (optional, minimum of 18 hours if selected) - 18
Electives (to total 120 hours)
Total: Minimum one hundred twenty (120) semester hours
Communication Studies Major Requirements:
Completion of fifty-one (51) semester hours:
Communication Studies Core thirty-three (33) semester hours:
COMM 1301 Introduction to Mass Media
COMM 2312 Christianity and Communication
COMM 2306 Social Media Communication
COMM 3302 Intercultural Communication
COMM 3300 Research Methods in Communication
COMM 3304 Small Group Communication
COMM 4305 Capstone in Communication
COMM 4308 Communication Theory
COMM 4309 Persuasive Communication
COMM 4310 Advanced Interpersonal Communication
COMM 4351 Internship in Communication
Eighteen (18) communication (COMM) hours (9 of which must be upper-level), or choose one of the available specializations.
Communication and Marketing Specialization
Completion of eighteen (18) hours from the following:
Required Courses: Twelve (12) semester hours
COMM 3301 Professional Presentation
MKTG 2324 Principles of Marketing
MKTG 3352 Consumer Behavior
MKTG 4321 Advertising
Six (6) semester hours from the following:
COMM 3321 Public Relations
COMM 4306 Integrated Marketing Communication Campaigns
Upper-level Marketing (MKTG) courses
Organizational Communication Specialization
Completion of eighteen (18) hours from the following:
Required Courses: Six (6) semester hours
MGMT 2350 Principles of Management
COMM 4312 Organizational Communication
Nine (9) semester hours from the following:
Upper-level Management (MGMT) courses
Three (3) semester hours from the following:
COMM 3301 Professional Presentation
COMM 3321 Public Relations
COMM 3325 Nonverbal Communication
COMM 4311 Seminar in Instructional Communication
COMM 4349 Advanced Public Speaking
Semester by Semester Plans
Semester by Semester is broken into the specializations of Communication & Marketing and Organizational Communication.