Communication Studies, BA
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies (C60101BA)
More on the Communication Studies major
The Communication Studies degree equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate the role of communication in society and effectively develop messages to address organizational and community challenges. Students study communication practices, concepts, and theories that can be used to help build and maintain relationships in personal and professional contexts.
This major provides students with hands-on learning activities, internships, and co-curricular opportunities. Communication Studies graduates have strong communication, analytic, and critical thinking skills. They are prepared to craft meaningful messages and lead productive discussion and debate in the workplace and broader community. Our graduates enter careers in a variety of sectors, including business, government, non-profit, healthcare, and education.
Program Contact
McKenna Vietmeier
Assistant Director & Professor of Instruction, School of Communication
330-972-5657
mvietmeier@uakron.edu
The following information has official approval of The School of Communication and The Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (Stellic) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor.
Three year accelerated option: for first time students who have earned credits for at least the first year of courses. Credits can be earned through qualifying scores on appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) exams or through College Credit Plus Program (CCP) courses. Credits for qualifying AP scores or CCP courses are determined by the appropriate academic department. Departments may assign varied course credit, depending on the student’s score on an AP exam or grade in a CCP course. Students may also receive credit by examination or via placement tests, where appropriate.
Requirements
Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 36 | |
| College of Arts & Sciences Requirements | 12-24 | |
| Communication Core | 9 | |
| Communication Studies Core | 15 | |
| Communication Studies Electives | 15 | |
| Minor Requirement | 18 | |
| Additional Credits for Graduation * | 15-3 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- *
Bachelor's degrees require a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation.
General Education Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete the following General Education coursework. Diversity courses may also fulfill major or Breadth of Knowledge requirements. Integrated and Applied Learning courses may also fulfill requirements in the major. | ||
| Academic Foundations | 12 | |
Mathematics, Statistics and Logic: 3 credit hours | ||
Speaking: 3 credit hours | ||
Writing: 6 credit hours | ||
| Breadth of Knowledge | 22 | |
Arts/Humanities: 9 credit hours | ||
Natural Sciences: 7 credit hours | ||
Social Sciences: 6 credit hours | ||
| Diversity | ||
Domestic Diversity | ||
Global Diversity | ||
| Integrated and Applied Learning | 2 | |
Select one class from one of the following subcategories: | ||
Complex Issues Facing Society | ||
Capstone | ||
Review the General Education Requirements page for detailed course listings. | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
College of Arts & Sciences Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Degree requirements in Arts & Sciences include either 1) the demonstration of ability to use another language by completion of the second year of a foreign language, or 2) the completion of a certificate program outside of the Communication department | ||
| 2 Year Language Proficiency | 14 | |
101 Beginning I | ||
102 Beginning II | ||
201 Intermediate I | ||
202 Intermediate II | ||
| Survey of Deaf Culture in America (American Sign Language option only) | ||
-or- | ||
| Certificate program 1 | 12-24 | |
- 1
Please see your advisor for a list of available certificate programs
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students must also complete a minimum of 40 credits (excluding workshops) consisting of either: | ||
Upper-level (300/400) courses both in and outside of the student’s major; | ||
or other courses outside the major department approved by the student’s major department chair (permission should be obtained prior to enrollment); these may not include workshops | ||
Communication Core 1
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 101 | Introduction to Communication 1 | 3 |
| COMM 384 | Communication Research 1 | 3 |
| or COMM 331 | Data Collection and Information Design | |
| Select one of the following Theory courses (Courses not used for this requirement may be taken for elective credit): 1, 2 | 3 | |
| COMM 305 | Communication Theory | |
| COMM 360 | Theories of Rhetoric | |
| COMM 406 | Public Relations Theory | |
| COMM 474 | Media Theory | |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
- 1
Grade of C or better is required in Communication Core courses.
- 2
Courses not used for this requirement can be taken for elective credit.
Communication Studies Core
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 245 | Argumentation and Advocacy | 3 |
| COMM 324 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMM 325 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COMM 344 | Small Group Communication | 3 |
| COMM 435 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Communication Studies Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete 15 credit hours of electives in COMM. Any COMM class that is not a COMM major core requirement, a COMM core requirement, or public speaking can count toward electives. At least 9 credit hours of electives must be at the 300/400 level. Recommended electives: | 15 | |
| COMM 235 | Business and Professional Communication | |
| COMM 305 | Communication Theory 1 | |
| COMM 334 | Leadership Principles & Practices | |
| COMM 355 | Freedom of Speech | |
| COMM 360 | Theories of Rhetoric 1 | |
| COMM 438 | Health Communication | |
| COMM 444 | Communication & Conflict | |
| COMM 475 | Political Communication | |
| COMM 480 | Communication Internship | |
The following courses DO NOT satisfy this requirement: | ||
| COMM 105 | Introduction to Public Speaking | |
| COMM 106 | Effective Oral Communication | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
- 1
Can be used for elective credit if not used to fulfill Communication core requirement.
Minor Requirement
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Completion of a Minor or Second Major or earned Associate Degree | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Recommended Sequence
| 1st Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| ENGL 111 | English Composition I | 3 |
| COMM 101 | Introduction to Communication 1 | 3 |
| COMM 105 | Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
| Beginning Language I or Certificate Course I 2 | 3-4 | |
| Mathematics, Statistics and Logic | 3 | |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ENGL 112 | English Composition II | 3 |
| COMM 305 | Communication Theory 1 or Theories of Rhetoric or Public Relations Theory or Media Theory | 3 |
| Beginning Language II or Certificate Course II 2 | 3 | |
| Natural Science Requirement | 3 | |
| Social Science Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| 2nd Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| COMM 245 | Argumentation and Advocacy | 3 |
| COMM 325 | Intercultural Communication 3 | 3 |
| Natural Science with lab Requirement | 4 | |
| Intermediate Language I or Certificate Course III 2 | 3 | |
| Social Science Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| COMM 324 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| Intermediate Language II or Certificate Course IV 2 | 3 | |
| Communication Studies Elective | 3 | |
| Arts/Humanities Requirement | 3 | |
| Global Diversity Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| 3rd Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| COMM 384 or COMM 331 | Communication Research 1 or Data Collection and Information Design | 3 |
| Communication Studies Elective | 3 | |
| COMM 344 | Small Group Communication | 3 |
| Minor Requirement 4 | 3 | |
| Arts/Humanities Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Communication Studies Elective | 3 | |
| Minor Requirement 4 | 3 | |
| Minor Requirement 4 | 3 | |
| Complex Issues Requirement | 3 | |
| Arts/Humanities Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| 4th Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| COMM 435 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| Communication Studies Elective | 2 | |
| Minor Requirement 4 | 3 | |
| Minor Requirement 4 | 3 | |
| Upper Level Elective or Certificate Course V 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Communication Studies Elective | 3 | |
| Minor Requirement 4 | 3 | |
| Upper Level Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Level Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Level Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120-121 | |
- 1
A grade of C or better is required in order to graduate.
- 2
Students are required to complete four semesters of a modern language or sign language OR complete a certificate from the approved list (see below). Demonstration of ability to use another language by completion of the second year of a modern language or sign language is required through coursework, AP, CLEP, or Oral Proficiency Interview. See your advisor for placement. Please note that all four semesters must be completed in the SAME language and it’s recommended you begin your first language course as soon as possible. Students can also complete one of the following certificates, instead of a language, to satisfy this requirement: Applied Political Communication [370019C], Artificial Intelligence [360010C], Conflict Transformation & Social Entrepreneurship [370016C], Parent and Family Education [H40203C], Entrepreneurship [630000C], Health Care Selling [660108C], International Business [680000C], Applied Politics [370005C], Asian Studies [340001C], Environmental Studies [337004C], Field Archaeology [324001C], Gerontology [300006C], Latin American Studies [300008C], Linguistic Studies [330008C], Middle Eastern Studies [340002C], Pan-African Studies [300002C], Research Methods for the Social Sciences [385000C], Teaching English as a Second Language [330003C], Women’s Studies [300110C], Manual Communication [H70007C], Museum and Archives Studies [140001C], and Addiction Services [226106C].
- 3
COMM 325 Intercultural Communication meets the Domestic Diversity course requirement.
- 4
A student must complete one of the following: (1) A university approved minor from the Undergraduate Bulletin, (2) an earned Associate's or Bachelor's degree, or (3) a second major.