Communication Studies (B.A./B.S.)

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Program Coordinator/Contact

Joshua Westwick, Associate Director
School of Communication and Journalism
Pugsley Center 115, Box 2218
605-688-6131

Program Information

A major in Communication Studies prepares students to understand the central role that communication plays in people’s lives. Graduates of this program will receive the training, expertise and background that will promote professional success in a wide variety of career areas where communication is a critical requirement.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates in Communication Studies will be able to:

Describe the Communication discipline and its central questions by employing communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
Engage in Communication inquiry. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
Create and critically analyze messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
Demonstrate the ability to accomplish communicative goals (self-efficacy). (Cross-curricular Skill: Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills)
Prepare for ethical public influence that embraces differences. (Cross-curricular Skill: Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)

Academic Requirements

A minimum grade of “C” or better is required in all major courses.

Course Delivery Format

A wide range of course formats are available in this major including, lectures, laboratory, small group, seminar, interactive and collaborative partnerships.

Requirements for Communication Studies Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication: ENGL 101 - Composition I (COM) [SGR #1] Credits: 3 and ENGL 201 - Composition II (COM) [SGR #1] Credits: 3
Goal #2 Oral Communication: SGR #2 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity: SGR #3 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity: SGR #4 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics: SGR #5 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences: SGR #6 Electives Credits: 6

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements

One declared minor outside of the major prefix OR a second major OR a teaching specialization. The minor may be a traditional minor within one department or it may be interdisciplinary involving more than one department. The minor can be in a different college. The minor must be declared no later than the student’s third semester of enrollment.
Capstone course in the major discipline
Upper division coursework Credits: 33

Bachelor of Arts Requirements: 9+

Modern Foreign Language Including the 202-Level Credits: 6+
AHSS 111 - Introduction to Global Citizenship and Diversity Credits: 3

Bachelor of Science Requirements: 13+

Natural Sciences Credits: 10+
- Any two lab sciences.
- Coursework must include 2 prefixes.
- MATH and STAT courses do not count toward the science requirement.
AHSS 111 - Introduction to Global Citizenship and Diversity Credits: 3

System General Education and/or major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Consult program advisor for details. See the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences for additional information about Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science specifications.

Major Requirements

SPCM 201 - Interpersonal Communication (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3
SPCM 215 - Public Speaking (COM) [SGR #2] Credits: 3
or SPCM 311 - Business and Professional Communication Credits: 3
SPCM 222 - Argumentation and Debate (COM) [SGR #2] Credits: 3
SPCM 305 - Communication Research (COM) Credits: 3
SPCM 405 - Theories of Communication (COM) Credits: 3
SPCM 410-510 - Organizational Communication (COM) Credits: 3
SPCM 422 - Persuasion (COM) Credits: 3
SPCM 434 - Small Group Communication (COM) Credits: 3
SPCM 465 - Capstone: Communication Studies Credits: 3 (Capstone)
SPCM 470 - Intercultural Communication (COM) Credits: 3

Select from the following

Select 9 credits from the following. Credits: 9

SPCM 215 - Public Speaking (COM) [SGR #2] Credits: 3
or SPCM 311 - Business and Professional Communication Credits: 3
SPCM 281 - Speech and Debate Activities (COM) Credits: 1-4
SPCM 320 - Communication in Interviewing (COM) Credits: 3
SPCM 401-501 - Advanced Interpersonal Communication (COM) Credits: 3
SPCM 415-515 - Communication and Gender (COM) Credits: 3
SPCM 416-516 - Rhetorical Criticism (COM) Credits: 3
SPCM 440-540 - Health Communication (COM) Credits: 3
SPCM 441-541 - Health Communication Campaigns Credits: 3
SPCM 491-591 - Independent Study (COM) Credits: 1-3
SPCM 492-592 - Topics (COM) Credits: 1-5 (1-3 credits required)
SPCM 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-16 (1-3 credits required)
SPCM 498 - Undergraduate Research/Scholarship (COM) Credits: 1-4

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
System General Education Requirements	30 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements*	9+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements	39 Credit Hours
Electives**	42 Credit Hours
Bachelor of Science in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
System General Education Requirements	30 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements*	13+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements	39 Credit Hours
Electives**	44 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements, Major Requirements, and Supporting Coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.