Communication Studies (Teacher Certification), Bachelor of Arts
(Focus: 7th – 12th Grade Teacher Certification)
This program leads to a profession which requires an occupational license as defined under Texas Occupations Code 58.001 This requires that all applicants seeking to become licensed must undergo a criminal background check prior to licensure. Students in this program should check with the College of Education and P-16 Integration on the requirements for a criminal background check prior to student teaching.
The Bachelor of Arts in Communication – Communication Studies prepares a student to work in fields as varied as sales, education, training and development, management, law enforcement, and in administrative roles in information and service industries such as health care organizations. Our graduates also work in public relations, events planning, advertising, and with public and private agencies and organizations as Press Secretaries and Information Officers. The Bachelor of Arts in Communication also prepares the students to pursue graduate programs in Communication, Media Management, Law, Social Work, Education, Health Management, Rehabilitation Counseling, and Public Administration.
Note: For a PDF version of the degree requirements for this program go to the Undergraduate Programs page on the UTRGV website.
Core Curriculum Requirements – 42 Hours
Students must fulfill the Core Curriculum requirements. The courses listed below satisfy both degree requirements and Core Curriculum requirements.
Required
Integrative and Experiential Learning – 3 hours
Recommended
Creative Arts – 3 hours
Choose one:
Major Requirements – 24 Hours (15 advanced)
Required
Education Component – 46 Hours (34 advanced)
Communication Component – 19 hours (10 advanced)
Required
Choose one:
Teacher Certification – 27 hours (24 advanced)
Area of Certification: Speech (7-12)
| EDFR 2301 | Intercultural Context of Schooling | 3 |
| EDUC 3301 | The Teaching Profession and Student Learning in Contemporary Schools | 3 |
| EDUC 3302 | Knowledge of Student Development and Learning | 3 |
| EDUC 3304 | Instructional Planning and Assessment in Culturally Sustaining Classrooms | 3 |
| EDUC 3306 | Evidence-Based Teaching in Positive Learning Environments | 3 |
| EDUC 4306 | Implementing and Assessing Effective Secondary Content Pedagogy | 3 |
| READ 4305 | Disciplinary Literacy in Content Area Classrooms | 3 |
| EDUC 4611 | Student Teaching Secondary or All-Level | 6 |
Electives – 8 Hours
Complete 8 hours of free electives.
Total Credit Hours: 49
Total Credit Hours: 120
Admission, Progression, And Graduation Requirements, if applicable:
Admission requirements
COMM 1311 in the core within their first year.
Progression requirements
All courses in the major require grade of ‘C’ or better. Students unable to be admitted to EDUC 4611 will be required to substitute 6 advanced hours, as recommended by advisor. For teacher certification, students must apply for admission and be accepted to the College of Education and P-16 Integration prior to enrolling in teacher certification courses, except for EDFR 2301 which is open to all students.