Communication is the study of human symbolic behavior and combines the study of theory, methods and application. In addition to helping students learn to impart information and ideas more effectively, communication courses teach students how to analyze a wide range of communicative situations that people experience, including interpersonal, intercultural, organizational, instructional, mediated, rhetorical/public, and small group. This concentration requires a minimum of 36 credits.

Concentration Requirements:

Requirement	Credits	Examples
Communication Theory and Philosophy	9 credits	Mass Media and Society, Theories of Human Communication , Sociology of Communicat6ion, Communication Ethics, Public Opinion, Introduction to/History or Mass Media, Public Speaking, Intercultural Communication, Persuasion Theory, Interpersonal Communication, Semantics, Group Combination (not Psychology)
Communication Methods/Approaches	3 credits	Communication Research, Research Design, Research Methods in Psychology/Sociology Essentials of Oral Interpretation, Media Campaigns, Quantitative Methods, Media Criticism, Organizational Communication, Media Literacy (not Business), Research Methods in Psychology/Sociology
Applied Communication	6 credits	Advertising, Argumentation, Communication Law, Communication Strategy, Educational Media, Journalism, Print Editing, Public Relations, Radio/TV/Film/Broadcasting, Scriptwriting
Elective credits in communication, speech or speech pathology. Up to 9 of these credits can be in appropriate sociology and/or psychology subjects	15 credits
Capstone	3 credits	COM 499 (Culminating course in concentration)
TOTAL	36

Notes: Only grades of C of higher may be included in the concentration.

Students who wish to specialize within the concentration must complete at least 12 of the required 36 credits in the concentration in one of four areas: print media, visual media, promotional or organizational communication.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate with a concentration in Communication will be able to:

1. demonstrate clarity of thought in both written and oral communication;
2. explain communication events from multiple perspectives;
3. understand the multicultural character of communication in contemporary society;
4. articulate a broad knowledge of communication theory and research;
5. apply their knowledge of communication theory and research within a focused domain of communication;
6. demonstrate an advanced level of key communication skills in argumentation and reasoning, and the analysis and use of evidence, persuasion and oral presentations; and
7. demonstrate an understanding of ethical responsibility in all forms of communication.

Concentration Plan of Study Forms

The concentration plan of study (CPS) is the tool you will use to plan your degree completion program. The CPS form offers information on how subject requirements can be met. You may download the form below as a Microsoft Word document (form will open in a new window). To request a course subsitution in a CPS, use the Request for Substitution Form. Additional information on the concentration is also available in the Official Catalog.

• Communications CPS Form

Please Note: for prospective students this form should simply serve as a guide. Once you have matriculated (enrolled), you will receive personalized degree planning advice from your Academic Counselor.