Communications Major
Communications, B.A.
Please note: This program will no longer accept new enrollments after the Fall 2024 semester.
Students who pursue the major in Communications (merging elements from all Communications majors) will research and analyze mass media as a system of interrelated forces, including historical foundations, technological advances, economic dynamics, regulatory constraints, and ethical concerns. Students will be immersed in real-world, deadline-driven experiences that highlight innovative practices in mass communications. They will prepare for professional careers by developing skills in visual storytelling, writing, audience engagement, research, public relations concepts, collaborative thinking and oral presentations. To do this, students will participate in a student-run PR agency and digital newsroom.
Degree requirements for the Communications major are as follows:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Core | ||
| Behavioral/Social Science Electives | 9 | |
| BUS 204 | Financial Wellness | 1 |
| ENG 114 | Critical Reading and Response | 3 |
| ENG 134 | Literary Genres | 3 |
| Humanities Electives | 9 | |
| Mathematics Elective | 3 | |
| Science Electives (lab required) | 7 | |
| WEL 100 | Empowered as Learners and Leaders | 3 |
| or WEL 220 | Empowered as Learners and Leaders | |
| WEL 350 | Strategies for Career and Personal Growth | 2 |
| Major Requirements | ||
| BUS 226 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| BUS 245 | Social Media Marketing for Business with Professional Certification | 3 |
| or CMS 302 | Broadcast Journalism | |
| Career Elective 3 | 6 | |
| CIT 210 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| CMS 100 | Introduction to Mass Communication and Pop Culture | 3 |
| CMS 110 | Human Communication in a Digital World | 3 |
| CMS 130 | Media Lab: Communication Technology | 3 |
| CMS 200 | Principles of Public Relations and Advertising | 3 |
| CMS 213 | Writing for the Media | 3 |
| CMS 303 | Gender and Communication | 3 |
| ENG 124 | Research and Writing in the Disciplines | 3 |
| Major Elective 1 1 | 3 | |
| Major Elective 2 2 | 3 | |
| General Electives | ||
| General Electives | 38 | |
| Total Credits Required | 120 | |
- 1
Select one course: CMS 220 New Media Technologies, CMS 320 Multimedia Journalism & Professional Writing, LOS 315 Organizational Behavior and Leadership
- 2
Select one course: CIT 300 Communicating for Leadership, CMS 305 Communicating in Liberal Studies, BUS 308 Communicating in Business
- 3
Select 6 credits from the following course(s): CMS 450 Capstone: Corporate and Organizational Communications, CMS 498 Communications Internship, HUM 490 Digital Information Design and Society Capstone, LAR 400 Liberal Studies Capstone, LAR 498 Liberal Studies Internship, WEL 400 Women as Empowered Learners and Leaders: In Practice, WEL 440 Leadership in Practice