BA in Communication
Degree Requirements
The BA in Communication requires 120 course credits, including:
| Undergraduate College Core Requirements | 49 credits | |
| Communication Major | 36 credits | |
| Major Courses | 21 credits | |
| COMM 110 Introduction to Human Communication | (3 credits) | |
| COMM 120 Introduction to Media Studies | (3 credits) | |
| COMM 210 Public Speaking | (3 credits) | |
| COMM 220 Visual Communication and Design | (3 credits) | |
| COMM 230 Media Writing | (3 credits) | |
| COMM 375 Internship I | (3 credits) | |
| COMM 490 Seminar in Communication | (3 credits) | |
| Upper Level Electives in Communication | 15 credits | |
| Open Electives | 35 credits | |
| TOTAL | 120 credits |
The five upper level electives in communication must be completed in one of two concentration areas, or one of eight specializations:
Majors may choose to complete five courses in one of two upper level concentrations, or majors may choose to complete five courses in one of these eight communication specializations:
- Advertising and Social Media
- Communication Design
- Media and Culture
- Media Writing
- Public Relations and Event Planning
- Sports Media
- Storytelling and Media Production
Advertising and Social Media
The specialization helps majors create and implement social media marketing strategies for clients that target corporate messaging to an increasingly mobile and connected audience.
Complete five courses selected from the list:
| COMM 290 Communication in Digital World |
| COMM 309 Image Design with Photoshop |
| COMM 310 Feature and Magazine Writing |
| COMM 333 New Media and Society |
| COMM 343 Introduction to Advertising |
| COMM 344 Introduction to Public Relations |
| COMM 345 Strategic/Promotional Writing |
| COMM 403 Interactive Design |
Communication Design
The specialization provides practical and conceptual foundations in areas of design thinking, creative visualization, software and programming that also support stylistic and aesthetic decisions.
Complete five courses selected from this list:
| COMM 301 Video Field Production |
| COMM 302 Video Post-Production and Editing |
| COMM 303 Sound Design |
| COMM 304 Cinematics and Motion Graphics |
| COMM 309 Image Design with Photoshop |
| COMM 343 Introduction to Advertising |
| COMM 346 Information Arts |
| COMM 347 Experimental Media |
| COMM 348 Sound Arts |
| COMM 402 Animation |
| COMM 403 Interactive Design |
| COMM 405 Web Development |
| COMM 406 iOS Application Development |
| COMM 418 Creative Advertising Strategies |
| COMM 440 Digital Matte Painting |
Media and Culture
This specialization takes up the broad questions surrounding the cultural premises behind the everyday circulation, production and reception of contemporary media and its effects.
Complete five courses selected from this list:
| COMM 331 Media Criticism |
| COMM 332 Media Programming and Management |
| COMM 333 New Media and Society |
| COMM 334 Political Communication |
| COMM 346 Information Arts |
| COMM 351 Intercultural Communication |
| COMM 353 Interpersonal Communication |
| COMM 370 Topics in Communication and Gender |
| COMM 380 Film as Art |
| COMM 381 American Film |
| COMM 384 Film Criticism |
| COMM 385 International Cinema |
| COMM 386 Major Filmmakers |
Public Relations
Public relations are closely examined from a communicative perspective in order to implement principles, strategies and best practices in creating effective promotional messages, publicity, campaign materials, event designs and other implementations.
Complete five courses selected from this list:
| COMM 290 Communication in Digital World |
| COMM 309 Image Design with Photoshop |
| COMM 343 Introduction to Advertising |
| COMM 344 Introduction to Public Relations |
| COMM 345 Strategic/Promotional Writing |
| COMM 355 Organizational Communication |
| COMM 403 Interactive Design |
| COMM 413 Public Relations Project Management |
| COMM 418 Creative Advertising Strategies |
Sports Media
This specialization allows students to master the writing, producing and on-camera studio aspects of the professional sports industry for a variety of media platforms, including television and the Internet.
Complete four courses selected from this list:
| COMM 301 Video Field Production |
| COMM 302 Video Post-Production and Editing |
| COMM 311 Print and Online News Writing |
| COMM 312 Radio and TV News Writing |
| COMM 313 Sports Writing |
| COMM 332 Media Programming and Management |
| COMM 342 Speech for Radio and TV |
| COMM 370 Topics in Sports Broadcasting |
| Choose one course from this list: |
| BUSN 210 Introduction to Sports Management |
| BUSN 310 Sports and Society |
Storytelling and Media Production
This specialization includes courses that produce digital media (video, cinema, television, sound, animation) that help develop storytelling, narrative and performance strategies.
Complete five courses selected from this list:
| COMM 240 Acting I |
| COMM 300 TV Studio |
| COMM 301 Video Field Production |
| COMM 302 Video Post-Production and Editing |
| COMM 303 Sound Design |
| COMM 304 Cinematics and Motion Graphics |
| COMM 316 TV News |
| COMM 328 TV Sitcom |
| COMM 341 Acting II/Directing |
| COMM 370 Topics in Communication |
| COMM 387 Scriptwriting |
| COMM 402 Animation |
| COMM 403 Interactive Design |
All majors must complete a 3-credit internship during either their junior or senior year. At least four of the five 100 and 200 level communication major core courses must be successfully completed prior to taking COMM 375 and COMM 490. All majors must attain a minimum grade of C in all communication courses. No exceptions will be made.
Lambda Pi Eta (Honor Society)
Membership in Lambda Pi Eta (the national communication honor society) is open to all qualified juniors and seniors.
Sample Program
BA in Communication (120 credits)
Year 1
| FYE 101 First Year Experience | 1 credit |
| ENGL 110 Writing in Context I (Fall) | 3 credits |
| ENGL 120 Writing in Context II (Spring) | 3 credits |
| Modern Language and Literature Core | 6 credits |
| Core Courses | 6 credits |
| COMM 110 Introduction to Human Communication | 3 credits |
| COMM 120 Introduction to Media Studies | 3 credits |
| Open Electives | 6 credits |
| TOTAL | 31 credits |
Year 2
| Core Courses | 15 credits |
| COMM 210 Public Speaking | 3 credits |
| COMM 220 Visual Communication and Design | 3 credits |
| COMM 230 Media Writing | 3 credits |
| Open Electives | 6 credits |
| TOTAL | 30 credits |
Year 3
| Core Courses | 12 credits |
| Communication course in student’s concentration | 3 credits |
| Communication course in student’s concentration | 3 credits |
| Communication course in student’s concentration | 3 credits |
| Communication course in student’s concentration | 3 credits |
| Open Electives | 6 credits |
| TOTAL | 30 credits |
Year 4
| Core Courses | 3 credits |
| COMM 375 Internship I | 3 credits |
| COMM 490 Seminar in Communication | 3 credits |
| Communication course in student’s concentration | 3 credits |
| Open Electives | 17 credits |
| TOTAL | 29 credits |
Total Credits for Graduation – 120