BA in Communication Requirements
The Bachelor of Arts in Communication is recommended for students who want to develop a broad understanding of how humans communicate, how technologies extend and alter our communication abilities and practices, and how our basic ability to communicate allows us to weave a powerful web between and within individuals, cultures and organizations. Students have the opportunity to pursue communication as it relates to a variety of career fields.
Learning outcomes for this program include:
- Students are able, individually or in teams, to produce novice research projects about communication in at least one tradition of Communication research.
- Students are able to use one or more theories of communication (from social science, rhetoric, or critical/cultural) to explain and/or interpret human behavior.
Download a PDF of the curriculum here.
Curriculum
**Please note: For students admitted to the Communication major before academic year 2024-2025, please use this link to access the requirements for your major.**
Note: CMJ courses must obtain a C- or better to count toward the major; WI = Writing Intensive; SL = Service Learning
Core Course Requirements: 5 courses (15 credits)
- 100x CMJ from 102/103/106/107 (no more than 1 100-level counts toward major)
- CMJ 201 Rhetorical theory
- CMJ 202 Communication theory
- CMJ 221 Intro to Critical Interpretation or CMJ 222 Intro Communication Research and Inquiry
- CMJ 401, Advanced Rhetorical Methods (WI) OR CMJ 402, Communication Research Methods
Electives and Capstone: 15 credits
200x and 300x – 3 classes (9 credits) maximum
| CMJ 221 | Critical Interpretation, if not taken as part of core |
| CMJ 222 | Intro Communication Research and Inquiry, if not taken as part of core |
| CMJ 257 | Business and Professional Communication |
| CMJ 303 | Persuasion and Social Influence |
| CMJ 320 | SL: Health Communication |
| CMJ 324 | Interpersonal Communication in Everyday Life |
| CMJ 325 | SL: Health Campaigns |
| CMJ 327 | Social Movements |
| CMJ 345 | SL: Small Group Communication |
| CMJ 347 | Argument and Critical Thinking (WI) |
| CMJ 366 | SL: Narrative, Performance, and Social Change |
| CMJ 367 | Public Relations |
| CMJ 370 | Visual Communication |
Choose two of the following (6 credits, 3 of which (1 course) will count as Capstone):
| CMJ 401 | Speech, Space, Event (WI), if not taken as part of core |
| CMJ 402 | Communication Research Methods, if not taken as part of core |
| CMJ 407 | SL: Advanced Topics in Communication, Service Learning |
| CMJ 417 | Communication and Science, Health, Environment, and Risk (ComSHER) |
| CMJ 418 | Public Communication of Science and Technology |
| CMJ 450 | Digital Rhetoric |
| CMJ 493 | Advanced Topics in Communication |
| CMJ 495 | Internship (does not fulfill Capstone) |
Note: Only one 100-level course may count toward the major in Communication.
Capstone: Any 400-level class fulfills capstone except CMJ 495 Internship.
Optional concentrations: Additional 9 credits hours (39 total)
Community Engagement Concentration (39 credits – standard 30 credit Communication major plus 9 credits; the 39 credits must include):
- 3 credit SL course
- 3 credit SL course
- 3 credit CMJ 495 Internship with community organization
Research Concentration (39 credits – standard 30 credit Communication major plus 9 credits; the 39 credits must include):
- 3 credit 400x methods course (CMJ 401 or 402 if not already taken)
- 3 credit 400x
- 3 credit 500x
External Requirements
For all undergraduate majors in Communication: A total of 6 credits in Language.
Language Area: French, German, Spanish, American Sign Language, or other language.