The Communication Major

All students must complete a total of 38 credits within the major. Requirements are:
COM 105 (should be taken during the first year)

Four of the following 200-level theoretical courses (to be taken during the sophomore and junior years and after completion of COM 105):
COM 213  COM 219  COM 234  COM 239  COM 245  
COM 256  COM 237  COM 257

COM 262 (to be taken sophomore year after achieving college writing proficiency. Meets writing proficiency requirement in the major if a grade of B- or above is achieved.)

Three 300-level courses of choice. (Can only be taken after achieving departmental writing proficiency and meeting 200-level prerequisites.)

An internship of 3 or 4 credits in a field relevant to communication studies (to be taken after achieving at least 12 credits in the major.)

A minimum of 8 elective credits chosen to enhance career and academic goals.

With the approval of the major adviser, each student may take up to three courses in one or more of the support fields in other academic departments; these courses may then be used as part of the total requirement of 38 credits for the major. An independent research analysis course is also available for juniors and seniors with a minimum 3.0 overall GPA who wish to do an in-depth study of one specific topic within the communication discipline. Students may also earn up to eight credits in applied video with the permission of the instructor and advisor.

Concentration in Prelaw Studies
Students interested in pursuing a legal career are encouraged to complete the prelaw concentration in conjunction with the requirements of the major. The prelaw concentration is an 18- to 21-credit program that is designed to broaden the student’s academic experience in preparation for law school. The prelaw concentration requires students to take courses outside of their major to expose them to methodologies and critical approaches not inherent to their own discipline but necessary for academic success in law school. A complete description of the prelaw concentration can be found under prelaw studies. All students interested in pursuing a career in law must consult with the prelaw adviser.

Writing Proficiency in the Major
Students are required to take COM 262 and achieve a grade of B- or better to be granted writing proficiency in the major. To achieve writing proficiency students are expected to master the ability to
• write grammatically correct, syntactically sophisticated sentences and construct cohesive, effective paragraphs consistently and spontaneously;
• research and integrate information from multiple sources; and
• provide substantial and appropriate support for theses and propositions and demonstrate the correlating ability to develop and write well-reasoned arguments of merit to the field of communication studies.

Computer Proficiency Requirement
Students meet their computer proficiency requirement by passing (with a grade of C- or better) Introduction to Communication Studies (COM 105). This course critically and ethically examines information revolutions including the advances in current computer technology. As part of the required course work, students are expected to learn how to construct a web-page, be proficient in the use of word processing, and conduct Internet-based research. Students are also expected to gain an understanding of the social, political, and ethical issues surrounding the computer revolution and the advent of the information society.

Qualifications Required to Graduate With Departmental Honors
Honors are decided by a vote of the full-time and half-time faculty just prior to Commencement each year. The following guidelines are used to determine honors:
• Students must achieve a grade point average of at least 3.67 in all 200- and 300-level courses taken in the major to be considered for Honors.
• No student will be considered for Honors who has taken any course for the major pass/no pass, except for those courses that can only be taken on a pass/no pass basis (internship and applied video).
• Students must demonstrate via their course work or a senior thesis either 1.) a superior grasp of communication and media studies theory, criticism, and/or history, or 2.) creativity and substance in an applied skill.
• Students must complete a variety of rigorous courses in the major and should take courses from all full- and part-time faculty.

Multiple Failed Courses
It is the department’s policy that students majoring in communication must receive at least a C- in every course taken toward the completion of the major. Any student who receives a grade below C- in more than two courses will not be permitted to continue in the major.