B.A. in Communication Studies for Online Degree Completion Program
A candidate for graduation with either a B. A. (Bachelors of Arts) or B. S. (Bachelor of Science) must fulfill the following requirements successfully:
- 43 hours of General Education Requirements
- A minimum of 120 hours, including the requirements of a major listed in the catalog
- A minimum of 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA), unless major departments or programs use higher cumulative GPA standards. Students must follow the requirements set by respective departments or programs they are enrolled in.
- A satisfactory record of conduct
Summary of Requirements
Much like in personal relationships, communication is the key to success in business and your career. Communication Studies majors learn the skills most desired by employers:
- The ability to work in teams
- The skill to communicate with diverse audiences in a variety of settings
- The capability to create and edit information
- The capacity to make compelling presentations in front of small and large
audiences
The Communication Studies program teaches students about intrapersonal, interpersonal, public, intercultural, and corporate communication. This provides the firm foundation necessary for creating a successful career in fields such as media, health communication, human resources, and public relations. You’ll come out of the communication program with the ability to think critically, express ideas impactfully, and understand the diverse forms of communication that draw people in.
Students will have the ability to put their knowledge and experience into practice as they take up positions of influence in their communities or continue postgraduate studies.
|
2025-2026 |
Core Curriculum
|
43 |
| Pre-Major Courses |
9 |
| Major and Related Courses |
45-47 |
| Free Elective Courses |
20-24 |
| TOTAL |
120 |
Admission to Communication Studies requires:
- A GPA of 2.50 or better in the Communication Studies major.
- Successful completion of COM 150, ENG 250, and PSY 101 or SOC 101 with a grade of C or better.
- An unofficial transcript in PDF format.
Requirements to maintain good standing and graduation for Communication Studies majors:
-
Graduate with a major GPA of 2.50 or better. Students whose GPA falls below a cumulative 2.50 will be placed on probation and given one semester to improve their major GPA to 2.50. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the major.
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A student majoring in Communication Studies can have no more than one "D" or "D+" in major courses.
-
A Communication Studies major must complete one internship in the field prior to graduation. Internships range from one to three credits and must occur at least for 10 consecutive weeks in a semester. The program's Internship Coordinator will approve and oversee the academic requirements of all internships. Internships cannot be completed with a student's family business or a company that contracts with the family member's business.
-
A one-credit internship requires 100 hours on the internship site.
-
A two-credit internship requires 200 hours on the internship site.
-
A three-credit internship requires 300 hours on the internship site.
Only students who have declared a major in Communication Studies are eligible to take COM 300-level and above courses unless given permission by the instructor. (Ex: Majors from other programs may take 300-level and above courses with permission).
Required pre-major courses 9 credits
| COM 150 | Introduction to Communication | 3 |
| ENG 250 | Introduction to Public and Professional Writing | 3 |
| | and | |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| | Or | |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
Required courses 27-29 credits
Required elective courses 15 credits
Choose 15 credits:
Required related courses 3 credits
Take any one of the following English courses:
Program Outcomes
COM Learning Outcomes 1: Deliver Messages – Students create and deliver messages in American Sign Language (ASL) and written English appropriate for diverse audiences, purposes, and contexts. Aligns with GU SLOs: Bilingualism: Composition, Bilingualism: Expression of ideas & information, Digital Awareness: Communication Software.
COM Learning Outcomes 2: Critically analyze messages – Apply fundamental communication concepts and theories to critically analyze, evaluate, and respond to a variety of messages. Aligns with GU SLOs: Critical thinking: Analyze arguments Critical thinking: Evaluate arguments Critical thinking: Support opinions.
COM Learning Outcomes 3: Create effective communication that embraces differences – Students recognize and apply complex social identities and design communication for diverse cultural contexts. Aligns with GU SLOs: Career Readiness: Personal interest Global Citizenship: Comparison of cultures Global Citizenship: Working in multicultural groups.
COM Learning Outcomes 4: Identify and solve impediments to successful communication – Students apply knowledge from a variety of disciplines to identify and analyze barriers in communication. Aligns with GU SLOs: Ethics: Disruption of oppression Global Citizenship: Comparison of cultures Global Citizenship: Working in multicultural groups.
COM Learning Outcomes 5: Apply ethical communication perspectives and practices – Students identify ethical perspectives and apply them in different communication situations. Aligns with GU SLOs: Ethics: Points of View Ethics: Disruption of oppression Global Citizenship: Intersection of privilege and oppression.