Requirements

1. A minimum of 30 credit hours, with grades of C- or higher, in courses labeled SPCH, COMM, JOUR, or TEL.
2. As part of the 30 credit hours, students must take SPCH-S 122, SPCH-S 424, SPCH-S 400 (must have 21 credit hours completed in the major before taking capstone course), Tel-C 200 and one of the following:  COMM-J 321, SPCH-S 405, COMM-J 429, or SPCH-S 450.
3. Seniors completing 21 credit hours in the major must take SPCH-S 400 (the capstone course).
4. Communication majors must take a minimum of two courses designated as intensive writing courses.  S424, required of all majors, is one designated intensive writinf courses.  The Department of Communication offers a choice for the second intensive writing course:  (S405, J429 or S450).
5. A minimum of 15 credit hours must be taken at the 300-400 level.
6. Communication majors are required to augment their academic program in communication with a minor (a minimum of 15 credit hours) in another discipline. The student selects the minor area in consultation with a faculty advisor.

Most of the courses fall into one of three emphasis areas.  A minimum of 12 credit hours in one area, beyond the required courses, constitutes an emphasis in that area.  The emphasis areas are as follows:

Emphasis Areas for Communication Majors

Cultural & Relational Communication

• COMM-J 219 Introduction to Public Relations (3 cr.)
• COMM-M 460 Culture and Mass Communication (3 cr.)
• SPCH-S 122 Interpersonal Communication (3 cr.)
• SPCH-S 322 Advanced Interpersonal Communication (3 cr.)
• SPCH-S 398 Independent Study in Speech Communication (3 cr.)
• SPCH-S 400 Senior Seminar in Speech (3 cr.) Must have completed 21 hours in the major
• SPCH-S 405 Human Communication Theory (3 cr.)
• SPCH-S 424 Empirical Research Methods in Speech Communication (3 cr.)
• SPCH-S 450 Gender and Communication (3 cr.)
• SPCH-S 490 Profession Practice Internship (3 cr.)
• TEL-C 200 Introduction to Mass Communication (3 cr.)

Business Communication and Public Relations

• COMM-J 219 Introduction to Public Relations (3 cr.)
• COMM-J321 Advanced Public Relations (3 cr.)
• COMM-J429 Public Relations Campaigns (3 cr.) Intensive Writing course
• JOUR-C 327 Writing for Publication (3 cr.)
• JOUR-J 200 Writing for Mass Media (3 cr.)
• SPCH-S 223 Business and Professional Speaking (3 cr.)
• SPCH-S 336 Current Topics in Communication:  Introduction to Public Relations - Public Relations Internet Resources:  Impact of Social Media (3 cr.)
• SPCH-S 398 Independent Study in Speech Communication (3 cr.)
• SPCH-S 400 Senior Seminar in Speech (3 cr.) Must have completed 21 hours in major
• SPCH-S 405 Human Communication Theory (3 cr.)
• SPCH-S 424 Empirical Research Methods in Speech Communication (3 cr.)
• SPCH-S 450 Gender and Communication (3 cr.)
• SPCH-S 490 Profession Practice Internship (3 cr.)
• TEL-C    200 Introduction to Mass Commmunication (3 cr.)

New Media Studies and Mass Communication

• COMM-J 219 Introduction to Public Relations (3 cr.)
• COMM-C 340 Practicum in Media Production (3 cr.)
• COMM-C 351 TV Production I (3 cr.)
• JOUR-J 200  Writing for Mass Media (3 cr.)
• SPCH-S 398 Independent Study in Speech Communication (3 cr.)
• SPCH-S 400 Senior Seminar in Speech (3 cr.) Must have completed 21 hours in the major
• SPCH-S 424 Empirical Research Methods in Speech Communication (3 cr.)
• SPCH-S 450 Gender and Communication (3 cr.)
• SPCH-S 490 Profession Practice Internship (3 cr.)
• TEL-C 200 Introduction to Mass Communication (3 cr.)
• TEL-R 204 Foundations of Telecommunications (3 cr.)
• TEL-R 308 Radio Production and Directing (3 cr.)

Certification in Public Relations

Candidates working toward the Public Relations emphasis with the intent of becoming certified must have a 2.5 overall and 3.0 in the major.  Certification requires the following specific public relations courses: COMM-J 219, COMM-J 321, COMM-J 429, SPCH-S 336 (current topics—PR on the Internet & Social Media), SPCH-S398 (independent study covering specific certification requirements), and SPCH-S 490 (public relations internship).  Other required courses include SPCH-S 223, Tel-C 200, SPCH-S 424, SPCH-S 400, and one of the following:  SPCH-S 405 or SPCH-S 450. Membership in the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is required. There is an additional fee to register for the national certification exam sponsored by the Universal Accreditation Board.

Degree Attainment Meets Diverse Scheduling Needs

The Department of Communication is committed to making the communication major available to part- time and working students. Multiple courses are offered in the evening and during the summer to meet diverse scheduling needs. Communication majors must also complete the general education requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences as well as general university requirements.

Internships

Internships are available for communication majors; required for the public relations emphasis, if meeting standards.  SPCH-S 490 requirements include minimums of junior or senior standing, 21 credit hours of completed communication courses, a 3.0 grade point average in the major, an overall 2.5 grade point average (or higher), faculty supervision, and departmental approval. There are also practicum and independent study courses such as COMM-C 340 and SPCH-S398.