Division of Communication, Art, and Media

B.A. in Communication

Degree Requirements

The B.A. in Communication requires 120 course credits, including:

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:

  1. Digital Arts and Media Studies, or
  2. Strategic and Human Communication
  3. Communication 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

B.A. in Communication (120 credits)

Year 1

FYE 101 The 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 Elective 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 Elective 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 Course 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