Declaring the Major | Progressing in the Major
Description of the Major
Communication studies provides you with modern academic programs for the purpose of understanding human communication. Courses examine multiple, trans-disciplinary approaches for studying messages and outcomes resulting from human interactive processes that involve the content and relationship dimensions of sources, receivers, channels and contexts. Emphasis is upon person-to-person transactions involving face-to-face and social media venues at the interpersonal, small group, organizational, and public levels. Instruction employs ways of knowing and research methodologies of social science, historical/critical analysis, and art. Our graduates have successful careers in business, education, government, conflict analysis and intervention, health, public relations, entertainment, personnel management, politics, sales, conference and event planning, hospitality industries and more.
A major in communication studies also provides valuable pre-professional preparation for graduate and professional studies in the fields of communication, counseling, law, management, ministry, and military. Through traditional classroom delivery and distance learning platforms, students acquire communication skill competencies in experiential classroom activities, research projects, studies abroad and internships. Communication studies graduates leave JMU prepared to participate effectively as citizens in the Communication Age.
Degrees Offered
B.A.
B.S.
Concentrations
Advocacy Studies
Conflict Analysis and Intervention
Cultural Communication
Health Communication Studies
Interpersonal Communication Studies
Organizational Communication Studies
Public Relations Studies
Minors
Communication Studies
Conflict Analysis and Intervention
Cultural Communication
Health Communication
Political Communication
Declaring the Major
New Freshmen and Transfer Students
You must declare the communication studies major when you register for orientation. A General Education Communication class (GCOM) is the prerequisite course for SCOM 240 and SCOM 241. Once you have earned JMU credit for a GCOM course, you must be a declared SCOM major in order to register for SCOM 240 and SCOM 241, which must be taken concurrently.
New Transfer Students
New transfer students applying to the School of Communication Studies are held to the same admission and progression policies and guidelines as other applicants. However, once admitted to the School of Communication Studies, you may petition for SCOM credit for courses taken at previous institutions. As with other applicants, you cannot retroactively apply more than nine hours of SCOM courses taken at JMU, including SCOM 240 and SCOM 241, to your major or minor once admitted to the School of Communication Studies.
Currently Enrolled Major Changers
Complete a "Change or Declaration of Major" form declaring Communication Studies and obtain the signature of the department head, Harrison Hall, room 1276. You must declare the communication studies major in order to register for SCOM 240 and SCOM 241, which must be taken concurrently and cannot be taken until after you have taken and earned JMU credit for a General Education communication class (GCOM).
Note for new and currently enrolled students:
Declaring communication studies indicates your intention to apply for full admission to the major. You should apply to the major during the semester when you will have completed SCOM 240 and SCOM 241.
Progressing in the Major
Applying to the Major
Admission to JMU does not guarantee admission to the School of Communication Studies. All students interested in majoring in the program must apply for a limited number of spaces while first completing SCOM 240 and SCOM 241. In order to register for these classes, you must submit your application, which can be accessed from the SCOM website, to the school. Complete your application online and submit it by email to scom@jmu.edu. You will receive and should keep the return email acknowledging the receipt of your application.
The School of Communication Studies reviews applications for admission to the major each semester. You must submit your application in the semester in which you are completing the SCOM 240/241 requirements. Applications are due by November 15 (Fall semester) and April 15 (Spring semester). Students who have applied by the above deadlines will be notified of the department's admission decision at the end of the semester in which they complete the SCOM 240/241 requirements.
Admission to the SCOM major is based on availability to the most qualified students as determined by performance in SCOM 240 and SCOM 241. It is possible for a student to be accepted into the major but not into their first choice concentration.
Students who are not admitted may file one more additional application in the next regular semester. Students reapplying must apply in two consecutive semesters of enrollment at the university. If you reapply after retaking SCOM 240 and SCOM 241 (whether repeat credit or repeat/forgive), the admission committee will look only at your highest grades earned when evaluating your second application.
Successful completion of a major in the School of Communication Studies requires, at the very least, a minimum of two semesters after a student is fully admitted to the school. Depending upon your particular circumstances and degree progress, more than two semesters may be required for completing the major. Once admitted to the School of Communication Studies, you cannot retroactively apply more than nine hours of SCOM courses, including SCOM 240 and SCOM 241, to the major.
Minimum Grades
Any course taken to fulfill a degree requirement in communication studies must be completed with a minimum grade of "C." A communication studies course completed with a grade of "C-" or "D" including courses to fulfill JMU baccalaureate degree requirements, may be credited toward graduation, but may not be included as course work toward a communication studies major.
Additionally, courses completed with a grade less than "C" will not count as fulfilling prerequisites for future courses, and enrolled students may be administratively removed from courses for which they have not completed a required prerequisite with a grade of "C" or higher.
Applying to the Minor
Admission to JMU does not guarantee admission to a minor in the School of Communication Studies. All students interested in minoring in the program must apply for a limited number of spaces while first completing SCOM 240 and 241. In order to register for these classes, you must submit your application, which can be accessed from the SCOM website, to the school. Complete your application online and submit it by email to scom@jmu.edu. You will receive and should keep the return email acknowledging the receipt of your application.
The School of Communication Studies reviews applications for admission to the minor each semester. Students who have applied will be notified of the department's admission decision at the end of the semester in which they complete the SCOM 240/241 requirements.
Admission to an SCOM minor is based on availability to the most qualified students as determined by performance in SCOM 240 and SCOM 241.
Students who are not admitted may file one more additional application in the next regular semester. Students reapplying must apply in two consecutive semesters of enrollment at the university. If you reapply after retaking SCOM 240 and SCOM 241 (whether repeat credit or repeat/forgive), the admission committee will look only at your highest grades earned when evaluating your second application.
Successful completion of any minor in the School of Communication Studies requires, at the very least, a minimum of two semesters after a student is fully admitted to the school. Depending upon your particular circumstances and degree progress, more than two semesters may be required for completing the minor. Once admitted to the School of Communication Studies, you cannot retroactively apply more than nine hours of SCOM courses, including SCOM 240 and SCOM 241, to the minor. Also, once admitted to an SCOM minor, you cannot automatically transfer into the SCOM major without reapplying in a subsequent semester, and there is no guarantee of acceptance.
Minimum Grades
Any course taken to fulfill a minor requirement in communication studies must be completed with a minimum grade of "C." A communication studies course completed with a grade of "C-" or "D" including courses to fulfill JMU baccalaureate degree requirements, may be credited toward graduation, but may not be included as course work toward a communication studies minor.
Additionally, courses completed with a grade less than "C" will not count as fulfilling prerequisites for future courses, and enrolled students may be administratively removed from courses for which they have not completed a required prerequisite with a grade of "C" or higher.
