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

General Education Requirements36
College of Arts & Sciences Requirements12-24
Communication Core9
Communication Studies Core15
Communication Studies Electives15
Minor Requirement18
Additional Credits for Graduation *15-3
Total Hours120
*

Bachelor's degrees require a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation.

General Education Courses

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 Foundations12
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 Learning2
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 Hours36

College of Arts & Sciences Requirements

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 112-24
1

Please see your advisor for a list of available certificate programs

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

COMM 101Introduction to Communication 13
COMM 384Communication Research 13
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, 23
COMM 305Communication Theory
COMM 360Theories of Rhetoric
COMM 406Public Relations Theory
COMM 474Media Theory
Total Hours9
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

COMM 245Argumentation and Advocacy3
COMM 324Interpersonal Communication3
COMM 325Intercultural Communication3
COMM 344Small Group Communication3
COMM 435Organizational Communication3
Total Hours15

Communication Studies Electives

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 235Business and Professional Communication
COMM 305Communication Theory 1
COMM 334Leadership Principles & Practices
COMM 355Freedom of Speech
COMM 360Theories of Rhetoric 1
COMM 438Health Communication
COMM 444Communication & Conflict
COMM 475Political Communication
COMM 480Communication Internship
The following courses DO NOT satisfy this requirement:
COMM 105Introduction to Public Speaking
COMM 106Effective Oral Communication
Total Hours15
1

Can be used for elective credit if not used to fulfill Communication core requirement. 

Minor Requirement

Completion of a Minor or Second Major or earned Associate Degree 18
Total Hours18
 
 
 

Recommended Sequence


Plan of Study Grid
1st Year
Fall SemesterHours
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
 Hours15-16
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
 Hours15
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
 Hours16
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
 Hours15
3rd Year
Fall Semester
COMM 384
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
 Hours15
Spring Semester
Communication Studies Elective 3
Minor Requirement 4 3
Minor Requirement 4 3
Complex Issues Requirement 3
Arts/Humanities Requirement 3
 Hours15
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
 Hours14
Spring Semester
Communication Studies Elective 3
Minor Requirement 4 3
Upper Level Elective 3
Upper Level Elective 3
Upper Level Elective 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours120-121
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.