Communication, B.A.
[Communications—0601]
Students majoring in Communication emphasize four areas of study (communication theory, speaking, writing, and media), complete a concentration in a second academic field of study, and complete at least one professional internship. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations (e.g., in advertising, career counseling, human resource management, journalism, marketing, public relations, radio, television, and the arts). They are also prepared for graduate study in such areas as communication/rhetorical studies, counseling, cultural or policy studies, education, journalism, law, ministry, and social services.
SPECIFICS OF THE COMMUNICATION B.A. DEGREE
Minimum Total Hours: 124
Total Liberal Arts Hours: 90
General Education Requirements: Per General Education list (see General Education Council). Exceptions: MTH 200 should be taken to meet the mathematics proficiency requirement; CSC 101 (or approved substitute) is required; American Sign Language may not be used to meet the foreign language proficiency requirement.
Minimum Requirements: GPA of 2.3 in the major—and cumulative; no grade less than C- in the major; minimum grade of C+ in CMC 101 and CMP 101, both of which should be taken in the first two semesters; minimum grade of C+ in CMP 102.
Transfer Requirements: See institutional transfer policies; 18 of the 55 hours in the major must be completed at RWC, including CMC 450 and CMC 451.
Application to the Major: Formal application after completing at least 45 semester hours, including three courses in the major at RWC (typically junior year); minimum 2.3 cumulative GPA required for acceptance. Application form available on line; application form and requirements available at the Department of Communication.
Major Requirements: 55 hours as follows (37 in Communication and 18 in a related field):
- 15-hour core:
- CMC 201
- CMC 301
- CMC 302
- CMC 401
- One 400-level theory course.
- 18 hours distributed as follows:
- Theoretical Emphasis: 6 hours (including a 400-level course not used in the 15-hour core) selected from CMC 303, 306, 333, 405, 409, 410
- Oral Emphasis: 3 hours selected from CMC 205, 206, 207, 310
- Writing Emphasis: 3 hours selected from CMC 321, CMC 351, CMP 320, CMP 304
- Media Emphasis: 3 hours selected from CMC 202, 275, ART 105, 273, 281
- One additional theory, oral, writing, or media course not used above.
- 3-hour Professional Senior Internship (CMC 450) in a business, organization, or office related to the student’s interest and approved by the Internship Seminar instructor.
- 1-hour spring-semester Senior Internship Seminar (CMC 451)
- 18-hour concentration selected from:
- Business, Management, or Marketing
- Computer Science
- History or Pre-Law
- Language & Literature
- Media Studies
- Ministry
- Music
- Psychology or Social Science
- Religion/Philosophy
- Visual Arts
- Additional concentrations
Students should consult with Communication faculty when selecting courses for concentrations. Additional concentrations (e.g. Spanish, Women's Studies, Criminal Justice) may be designed in consultation with Communication professors—must have departmental approval in writing, submitted to the Office of Registration.