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, health services, human resource management, journalism, marketing, public relations, radio, television, and the arts) AND to pursue 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: 93
General Education Requirements: Per General Education list (see General Education Council). Exceptions: MATH 2400 (or approved substitute) to meet the mathematics proficiency requirement; CSCI 1010 (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 COMM 1101 or COMM 1105 and COMP 1010, both of which should be taken in the first two semesters; minimum grade of C+ in COMP 1020.
Transfer Requirements: See institutional transfer policies; 18 of the 55 hours in the major must be completed at RWC, including COMM 4500 and COMM 3500.
Application to the Major: Formal application after completing at least 45 semester hours, including three courses in the major at RWC (typically by the junior year); minimum 2.3 cumulative GPA required for acceptance. Application form available on line; application form and requirements also available at the department office.
Major Requirements: 55 hours as follows (37 in Communication and minimum of 18 in a related field):
- 15-hour core:
- COMM 2201
- COMM 3301
- COMM 3302
- COMM 4401
- One COMM 4400-level theory course.
- 18 hours distributed as follows:
- Theoretical Emphasis: 6 hours (including a COMM 4400-level course not used in the 15-hour core) selected from COMM 3303, 3306, 3333, 4405, 4409, 4410
- Oral Emphasis: 3 hours selected from COMM 2205, 2206, 2207, 3310
- Writing Emphasis: 3 hours selected from COMM 3304, COMM 3210, COMM 3351, COMP 3200
- Media Emphasis: 3 hours selected from COMM 2202, 2275, ARTS 1050, 2730, 2810
- One additional theory, oral, writing, or media course not used above.
- 3-hour Professional Senior Internship (COMM 4500) 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 (COMM 3500)
- 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
- Theater
- Visual Arts
- Additional concentrations (e.g., Criminal Justice, Gender Studies)
Students should consult with Communication faculty when selecting courses for concentrations. Additional concentrations may be designed in consultation with Communication professors—must have faculty approval in writing, submitted to the Office of Registration.