Communication Studies, B.A.

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Description

The Communication Studies major provides students with a critical understanding of the complex, vital role that communication plays in contemporary life. Course-work offers students a host of intellectual, problem-solving, and career-related skills. In contemporary society, which is characterized by a dazzling array of new technologies, rapid social change, instant messaging, and dynamic interpersonal relationships, it is imperative that students appreciate the ways communication influences everyday life. Students who obtain a major in communication will take classes from a nationally ranked faculty and gain an appreciation for the social scientific study of communication.

What careers can this major prepare you for?

Communication Studies majors pursue a variety of managerial training programs in all types of industries, along with opportunities in Federal, state, and local governments along with pursuing graduate degrees. Depending on the coursework that is taken, specific opportunities may include: Organizational Training and Development, Team Facilitation, Organizational/Business Analyst, Mediator, Human Resources, Internal Consultant, Labor Negotiator, Recruitment for Private Schools, Recruitment for Universities, Community Affairs Coordinator, Government Affair Coordinator, Sales, Fundraising, Account Representative, Researcher, Insurance, Communications Manager, Product Purchaser.

What skills are developed within this major?

Conflict management, team facilitation, leadership, public speaking, writing, group facilitation, digital content creation, negotiation, interpersonal communication, problem solving, analysis and inquiry, effective language choice, intercultural communication, persuasion, effective social media use.

Residency Requirement

Transfer students must obtain at least 20 credit hours from Communication courses at Cleveland State University.

Complete Degree on Campus or Online

Many courses in both tracks of this major are offered online. A student could satisfy the major requirements taking only online courses using the Online Delivery degree maps. The Communication Studies adviser should be contacted for more information.

Hours Required for Degree

Minimum hours required for major: 39

College Requirements

See college page for college requirements.

Major Requirements

All majors are required to take a minimum total of 39 semester credit hours in Communication and maintain a 2.25 GPA across all communication courses to graduate with a major in Communication Studies.

Students can complete one of two tracks in the Communication Studies Major:

Communication Track
Communication Management Track

Communication Track

School of Communication Core Courses (9 Credit Hours):

All majors are required to take the following three core courses and earn a C or better.

Communication Theory Courses (15 Credit Hours):

Select five courses from the list below.

Communication Capstone (3 Credit Hours):

Select one course from the list below.

Communication Electives (12 Credit Hours):

Select any four Communication courses that you have not already taken to fulfill any other major requirement. Only three credits of Internship (COM 490 ) or Independent Study (COM 496 ) can count toward a Communication elective.

Communication Management Track

School of Communication Core Courses (9 Credit Hours):

All majors are required to take the following three core courses and earn a C or better.

Communication Management Theory Courses (15 Credit Hours):

Select five Communication Management Theory courses from the list below.

Communication Management Skills Courses (6 Credit Hours):

Select two courses from the list below.

Communication Management Capstone Course (3 Credit Hours):

Select one of the courses listed below.

Communication Management Electives (6 Credit Hours):

Select any two courses listed in the Communication Management Track that you have not already taken to fulfill any other major requirement. Only three credits of Internship (COM 490 ) or Independent Study (COM 496 ) can count toward a Communication Management Elective.

Honors Program/Scholars Requirements

The Honors/Scholars Program in the School of Communication provides in-depth, analytical coursework geared to Honors/Scholars students’ areas of interest. Students work closely with faculty, gaining specialized knowledge of communication research, training in the communication professions and applications of scientific principles to everyday life.

Honors courses are selected from each of the two undergraduate majors in the School:

Communication Studies
Journalism and Promotional Communication

Communication Honors Program Requirements:

Attain and maintain CSU Honors/Scholars Program status.
Attain and maintain a 3.5 GPA in all Communication courses.
Take the required Communication Inquiry class (COM 303 - Communication Inquiry ) with an added honors component* agreed to between the faculty member and student, which will provide an opportunity to gain in-depth understanding of communication methods.
Select one of the two majors as a focus and take two 300/400-level, three credit hour classes in relevant areas or sequences with an honors component.
Select a 400-level capstone in one of the two majors, taking this with an honors component. The honors component in this course may involve completion of a longer paper, research project, video, as appropriate, followed by presentation of the paper or mediated material to the class instructor and a major faculty-selected committee.

*Honors components can be added to any upper level course designated by the student’s chosen division faculty. The component follows the model applied in communication when a graduate section is added to an undergraduate class and will have the 499 designation.

Accelerated Master’s Program

See the Communication, Accelerated Master’s BA/MACTM page.