Communication Studies

Students may seek either an academic major or minor in communication studies.

Major in Communication Studies

The major in communication studies provides students with an appropriate balance of theoretical knowledge and sophisticated, practical communication skills. Students learn how people create and use messages to generate meaning within and across various contexts, cultures, channels, and media. The multidisciplinary curriculum covers speech communication, mass communication and new media, journalism, public relations, business writing, and technical writing. It encourages students to develop written, oral, and visual communication skills; to apply communication theories to both personal and professional situations; and to increase their understanding of human interaction. Students with a major in communication studies are prepared for a wide variety of careers in areas such as journalism, public relations, marketing, communication, and professional writing.

Intended Program Outcomes

The student who graduates with a major in communication studies will be able to

  • Apply analytical skills in interpreting, using, and delivering information in mediated contexts.
  • Create professional written, oral, and visual communication for specific purposes and diverse audiences, applying structural and stylistic conventions.
  • Design, create, and/or select multi-media components and integrate them into print, broadcast, and online media-rich resources.
  • Manage successful communication activities within the ethical, legal, and financial parameters of the project and of the profession.
  • Work with individuals and groups in ways that reflect an understanding of both communication theory and professional expectations.
  • Use an understanding of diverse and intercultural perspectives as they affect communication practices.
  • Design and/or employ specific research methodologies and tools to gather information for specific purposes.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in communication studies requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework including 33 credits for the major (indicated by Required by major); 41 credits in general education requirements (GERs); and 46 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 17 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Requirements for the Communication Studies Major

Coursework for a major in communication studies includes the following:

  • Required foundation courses (6 credits): COMM 300 and COMM 302
  • Speech communication course (3 credits): Any SPCH course
  • Mass communication/media course (3 credits): Chosen from COMM 400, 410, 493, and any JOUR courses
  • Diversity communication courses (6 credits): Chosen from COMM 380, SPCH 324, 472, and 482
  • Specialization courses chosen from a single area (9 credits):
  • a. Professional Writing: Chosen from WRTG 393, 394, 489, 490, 493, 494, and 496
  • b. Speech Communication: Chosen from any upper-level SPCH courses
  • c. Media Studies: Chosen from COMM 400 and 493 and any JOUR courses
  • Required research methods course (3 credits): COMM 480
  • Required capstone course (3 credits): COMM 495

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all of the requirements for the BA in communication studies. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an academic advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues) may be found in the General Education Requirements.

Minor in Communication Studies

The communication studies minor complements the skills the student gains in his or her major discipline by providing specialized skills in workplace communication, including the development of written and oral communication skills and a greater understanding of human interaction.

Requirements for the Minor

A minor in communication studies requires the completion of 15 credits in communication studies. All courses in COMM, JOUR, SPCH, and WRTG apply.

Students are recommended to take COMM 300 early in the minor if not already applied elsewhere in the degree. Courses already applied toward other degree requirements (e.g., major or general education) may not be applied toward the minor. At least 9 credits must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above). Prerequisites apply for all courses.

For a listing of all the requirements for the bachelor's degree, students should refer to their major and the General Education Requirements.

Communication Studies Major Courses

First Courses

(to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

LIBS 150 Introduction to Research (1)

WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)

MATH 103 College Mathematics (3)
or a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses

(to be taken within the first 30 credits)

SPCH 100Required by major Foundations of Oral Communication (3)

or SPCH 101 Introduction to Public Speaking
or other speech course

HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3)

or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865
or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the general education requirement in arts and humanities for the historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)

BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)

and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)

or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology
or other course(s) to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences with related laboratory

WRTG 291 Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/writing

SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology

or GVPT 170 American Government (3)
or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to fulfill the first general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences

IFSM 201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology (3)

or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software course to fulfill first general education requirement in interdisciplinary issues/computing

Foundation Courses

(to be taken within the first 60 credits)

COMM 300Required by major Communication Theory (3)

COMM 302Required by major Mass Communication and Media Studies 3

PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)

or BEHS 210 Introduction to Social Sciences
or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences (discipline must differ from first)

NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)

or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences

PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
or a foreign language course or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in arts and humanities
(discipline must differ from first)

JOUR 201 Introduction to News Writing (3)
or any SPCH or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/writing or speech

CMST 310 Fundamentals of Electronic Publishing (3)

or CMIS 111 Social Networking and Cybersecurity Best Practices
or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in interdisciplinary issues/computing

Additional Required Courses

(to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

WRTG 393 Advanced Technical Writing (3)

or WRTG 394 Advanced Business Writing
or other course to fulfill the upper-level advanced writing requirement

COMM 400Required by major Mass Media Law (3)

or JOUR 330 Public Relations Theory
or other mass communication course for the major (see Requirements for the Major)

COMM 380Required by major Language in Social Contexts (3)
or other diversity communication course for the major
(see Requirements for the Major)

SPCH 482Required by major Intercultural Communication (3)
or other diversity communication course for the major
(see Requirements for the Major)

SPCH 324Required by major Communication and Gender (3)
or other specialization course
(see Requirements for the Major)

SPCH 426Required by major Conflict Management (3)
or other specialization course
(see Requirements for the Major)

SPCH 470Required by major Effective Listening (3)
or other specialization course
(see Requirements for the Major)

COMM 480Required by major Research Methods in Communication Studies (3)

Capstone Course for the Major

(to be taken in the last 15 credits)

COMM 495Required by major Senior Seminar in Communication Studies (3)

Minor and/or Elective Courses

(to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (46)

Total credits for BA in communication studies 120


UMUC Europe Undergraduate Catalog


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Last updated: 30 June 2011