Programs

The School of Communication Studies offers seven program areas and numerous minors. Use the links below to view description, courses and faculty in each area.

Regardless of the program area, all majors must complete the following major requirements. As soon as you are admitted into the major, fill out a Major's Catalogue Checklist, and give a copy to your adviser.

Click here for a copy of the SCOM major's 2008-2009 checklist.
Click here for a copy of the SCOM major's 2007-2008 checklist.
Click here for a copy of the SCOM major's 2006-2007 checklist.
Click here for a copy of the SCOM major's 2005-2006 checklist.

Major Requirements  

The School of Communication Studies offers the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees with a major in communication studies. Students must take at least 39 hours of work in communication studies beyond the general education requirement. All programs must include at least five elements:

• Fifteen hours of required courses
• Successful completion of SCOM 394, Core Assessment in Communication Studies, upon completion of the core requirements.
• Fifteen hours of courses within distribution areas to meet the school depth requirement
• Nine hours of free elective courses in Communication Studies at the 300 or 400 level.
• Twelve hours of course work at the 300 level or above outside of the major program of study; or a second major or minor.

 In addition, students pursuing a B.S. in Communication Studies must complete MATH 220, Elementary Statistics, or a school approved statistics course with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better.  MATH 220 can count as either a General Education or a B.S. mathematics requirement, but not both.

Courses

Core Requirements

• SCOM 240. The Process of Human Communication
• SCOM 242. Presentational Speaking
• SCOM 245. Signs, Symbols, and Social Interaction
• SCOM 280. Introduction to Communication Research
• SCOM 341. Persuasion
• SCOM 394 Core Assessment in Communication Studiew
• Depth Requirement: (15 hours required from the depth areas below)

Communication Skills (choose one of the following)

• SCOM 243. Oral Interpretation
• SCOM 247. Small Group Communication
• SCOM 261. Public Relations Techniques I: Written
• SCOM 332. Mediation
• SCOM 342. Argument and Advocacy
• SCOM 358. Business and Professional Communication Studies
• SCOM 361. Public Relations Techniques II: Visual
• SCOM 449. Communication Training

Communication Research (choose one of the following)

• SCOM 381. Communication Criticism
• SCOM 383. Communication Research Methodologies
• SCOM 386. Communication Survey Research

Communication Theory and Context (choose three of the following)

• SCOM 220. Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
• SCOM 231. Introduction to Alternative Dispute Resolution
• SCOM 248. Intercultural Communication
• SCOM 260. Introduction to Public Relations
• SCOM 270. Introduction to Health Communication
• SCOM 313. Topics in Communication Studies (one to three credits)
• SCOM 331. Communication and Conflict
• SCOM 345. Nonverbal Communication
• SCOM 346. Free Speech in America
• SCOM 347. Communication, Diversity, and Popular Culture
• SCOM 348. Communication and Gender
• SCOM 349  Ethnographic Approaches to Communication Studies
• SCOM 350. Organizational Communication
• SCOM 352. Communication and Social Movements
• SCOM 353. American Political Culture and Communication
• SCOM 431. Legal Communication
• SCOM 432. Senior Seminar in Conflict and Mediation Studies
• SCOM 440. Advanced Interpersonal Communication
• SCOM 448  Seminar in Cultural Communication
• SCOM 450. Advanced Studies in Organizational Communication
• SCOM 460. Public Relations Management
• SCOM 461. Public Relations Campaigns
• SCOM 470. Health Communication Campaigns
• SCOM/SMAD/POSC 472. Media and Politics

Additional communication studies electives at the 300/400 levels

Minimum Grades

Any course taken to fulfill a degree requirement in Communication Studies, must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” (2.0). A speech communication course completed with a grade of “C-” or “D” may be credited toward graduation, but may not be included as course work toward a communication studies major or minor.

Limitations in Applied Courses

No more than six hours combined credit in SCOM 318, Practicum in Communication Studies; SCOM 390, Directed Projects and SCOM 495, Internship in Communication Studies may be counted toward a major in communication studies.

All information given on this page is believed to be true, but in the event of any doubts or discrepancies, please see the official academic catalogue for corrections, or contact your SCOM advisor.