Communication Studies, Bachelor of Arts

Program Overview

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.

Specific graduation requirements required for this program beyond university bachelor’s degree requirements. 

  • All courses in the major require grade of a “C” or better.

 

Core Curriculum - 42 hours

The Core Curriculum serves as a broad foundation for the undergraduate degree. All candidates for a bachelor’s degree must achieve core student learning outcomes, including communication, critical thinking, empirical and quantitative skills, teamwork, personal responsibility and social responsibility, by completing courses within each category or component area of the Core Curriculum as outlined below.

The University has approved specific courses that satisfy Core Curriculum Requirements. Approved courses can be found on the Core Curriculum Page. Students seeking the most efficient way to complete the core curriculum and major or minor requirements are advised to take approved courses that can fulfill both requirements. Although core curriculum courses can also be used to fulfill major or minor requirements, earned credits hours are only applied once.

The courses listed below fulfill core curriculum and major requirements. Students who have completed a core curriculum category with courses other than those listed below will still be required to take the listed course(s) to meet major requirements.

090 Integrative and Experiential Learning - 3 hours

COMM 1311Introduction to Communication

3

Major Requirements – 39 hours

Required Courses - 24 hours

Communication Core: 

COMM 1315Public Speaking

3

COMM 1318Interpersonal Communication

3

COMM 2333Small Group Communication

3

COMM 3316Intercultural Communication

3

COMM 3331Interviewing: Theory and Practice

3

COMM 3333Theories of Communication

3

COMM 3350Research in Communication

3

COMM 4315Persuasive Communication

3

Prescribed Electives - 15 hours

Choose from:

COMM 3313Business and Technical Communication

3

COMM 3315New Topics in Communication Studies

3

COMM 3317Communication for Classroom Teacher

3

COMM 3332Organizational Communication

3

COMM 3334Great American Oratory

3

COMM 3335Advanced Public Speaking

3

COMM 3340Lying and Deception

3

COMM 3345Gender and Communication

3

COMM 3346Health Communication

3

COMM 3347Family Communication

3

COMM 3354Healthcare Provider Communication

3

COMM 4303Special Topics in Communication Studies

3

COMM 4306Advanced Interpersonal Communication

3

COMM 4309Nonverbal Communication

3

COMM 4330Communication Training

3

COMM 4336Applied Leadership Communication

3

COMM 4345Conflict Management

3

Free Electives - 39 hours

Free elective credit hours at the advanced level may be needed to achieve the institutional minimum of 42 advanced hours.

Total Credit Hours: 42

Total Credit Hours: 120

 

View this program’s recommended roadmap to graduation.

 

UTRGV Roadmaps are a suggested sequence of courses designed to assist students in completing their undergraduate degree requirements. This is a term-by-term sample roadmap of courses required to complete the degree. Students must satisfy all requirements in their catalog including, but not limited to course prerequisites, grade point average and course grade benchmarks, progression requirements, and graduation requirements. 

 

Students should meet with their academic advisor every semester to discuss their individualized path toward completion. Degree progress within this roadmap depends upon such factors as course availability, individual student academic preparation and readiness, student time management, work and personal responsibilities, and financial considerations. Students may choose to take courses during summer terms to reduce course loads during long semesters.