Communication Studies Major

Communication Studies is a major that offers several options and considerable flexibility.  Students may choose to pursue a general Communication major or may choose to emphasize one of the three major focal areas in the department.  These areas include Interpersonal Communication, Mass Communication, and Organizational Communication.  In every case students must complete a basic introductory course (COMM 101), a public speaking course (COMM 241), an advanced survey of Communication Theory (COMM 322), and at least one course from each of the three focal areas listed above.  Electives can then be tailored to each individual student’s personal interests.  The general major is outlined below followed by descriptions of the major coursework tailored to emphasize each of the three focal areas.  The requirements for a minor in Communication Studies are summarized at the bottom of the page.

General Communication Studies Major

• A minimum of nine units in communication studies, including: 101, 241, 322; one Interpersonal course from 202, 207, 313, 314; one Organizational course from 203, 301, 306, 351; one Mass Communication course from 205, 207, 306, 365; and three communication electives from 201, 202, 203, 205, 206, 207, 245, 289/389*, 301, 306, 311, 312, 313, 314, 325, 341, 351, 365.

Emphasis Areas Within Communication Studies

Communication Studies Major with an emphasis in Interpersonal Communication

• A minimum of nine units in Communication Studies, including: 101, 241, 322; two Interpersonal courses from 202, 207, 313, 314; one Organizational course from 203, 301, 306, 351; one Mass Communication course from 205, 207, 306, 365; two courses from 201, 202, 203, 205, 206, 207, 245, 289/389*, 301, 306, 311, 312, 313, 314, 325, 341, 351, 365.

Communication Studies Major with an emphasis on Organizational Communication

• A minimum of nine units in Communication Studies, including: 101, 241, 322; one Interpersonal course from 202, 207, 313, 314; two Organizational courses from 203, 301, 306, 351; one Mass Communication course from 205, 207, 306, 365; two courses from 201, 202, 203, 205, 206, 207, 245, 289/389*, 301, 306, 311, 312, 313, 314, 325, 341, 351, 365.

Communication Studies Major with an emphasis on Mass Communication

• A minimum of nine units in Communication Studies, including: 101, 241, 322; one Interpersonal course from 202, 207, 313, 314; one Organizational course from 203, 301, 306, 351; two Mass Communication courses from 205, 207, 306, 365; two courses from 201, 202, 203, 205, 206, 207, 245, 289/389*, 301, 306, 311, 312, 313, 314, 325, 341, 351, 365.

Communication Studies Minor

• A minimum of six units in Communication Studies, including: including: 101, 241, 322; one Interpersonal course from 202, 207, 313, 314; one Organizational course from 203, 301, 306, 351; one Mass Communication course from 205, 207, 306, 365.

*Selected topics courses (COMM 288, 289, 388, and 389) can always be counted as electives toward the major regardless of your chosen emphasis area.  They may also count toward one of the three major areas, but you must check with the professor teaching the course to find out which one.  Finally, you may count multiple Selected Topics courses toward the major, providing you are not repeating the same course twice.