Program: Communication Studies (B.A./B.S.) - South Dakota State University

2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog

Apr 06, 2025

Program Coordinator/Contact

Joshua Westwick, Director
School of Communication and Journalism
Yeager Hall 211, Box 2235
605-688-4171

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.
Engage in Communication inquiry.
Create and critically analyze messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context.
Demonstrate the ability to accomplish communicative goals (self-efficacy).
Prepare for ethical public influence that embraces differences.

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
Bachelor of Science

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

CMST 201 - Interpersonal Communication (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3
CMST 215 - Public Speaking (COM) [SGR #2] Credits: 3
or CMST 311 - Business and Professional Communication (COM) Credits: 3
CMST 222 - Argumentation and Debate (COM) [SGR #2] Credits: 3
CMST 305 - Communication Research (COM) Credits: 3
CMST 405 - Theories of Communication (COM) Credits: 3
CMST 410-510 - Organizational Communication (COM) Credits: 3
CMST 422 - Persuasion (COM) Credits: 3
CMST 434 - Small Group Communication (COM) Credits: 3
CMST 465 - Capstone: Communication Studies Credits: 3 (Capstone)
CMST 470 - Intercultural Communication (COM) Credits: 3
MCOM 119 - First-Year Seminar in Communication and Journalism Credits: 2

Select from the following

Select 9 credits from the following. Credits: 9

CMST 215 - Public Speaking (COM) [SGR #2] Credits: 3
or CMST 311 - Business and Professional Communication (COM) Credits: 3
CMST 281 - Speech and Debate Activities (COM) Credits: 1-4
CMST 320 - Communication in Interviewing (COM) Credits: 3
CMST 401-501 - Advanced Interpersonal Communication (COM) Credits: 3
CMST 415-515 - Communication and Gender (COM) Credits: 3
CMST 416-516 - Rhetorical Criticism (COM) Credits: 3
CMST 440-540 - Health Communication (COM) Credits: 3
CMST 441-541 - Health Communication Campaigns Credits: 3
CMST 491-591 - Independent Study (COM) Credits: 1-3
CMST 492-592 - Topics (COM) Credits: 1-5 (1-3 credits required)
CMST 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-16 (1-3 credits required)
CMST 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
System General Education Requirements	30 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements*	9+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements	41 Credit Hours
Electives**	40 Credit Hours
Bachelor of Science
System General Education Requirements	30 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements*	13+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements	41 Credit Hours
Electives**	42 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.