2012-2013

Communication Studies, Bachelor of Arts

Communication Studies

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

This program is designed to enable students to become effective participants in a world in which oral, written, and nonverbal communication play major roles. The major prepares students to: enter professions requiring proficiency in public, group, and interpersonal communication; enter a career as a communication educator; use both theory and practice to communicate well in both career and personal life; enter graduate school or professional schools for further study in areas such as law or theology; articulate and defend opinions as an informed citizen in a representative democracy.

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • At least 42 units of major requirements
  • At least 16 units of language requirements
  • At least 18 units of minor requirements
  • Be aware that you may not use courses with a CST prefix to satisfy liberal studies requirements
  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Major GPA C
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 114
Foreign Language Required
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Optional
Progression Plan Link Not Available

Major Requirements
  • You are expected to work closely with a Communication Studies faculty advisor to design a plan of study and to receive professional and career advice.

    All majors must earn the grade of "C" or better in COM 101 and COM 200, as well as in the NAU Liberal-Studies-required freshman composition, and foundation mathematics course.

    You must take at least 21 of your major units at Northern Arizona University. Any exceptions to this requirement must be approved by a Communication Studies advisor.

  • Fieldwork Experience

    Please note that you may take CST 408 in your final two years before graduation, after completing at least 89 units toward your degree. However, you must apply to and receive prior approval from our Communication Studies faculty members, and we reserve the right to deny approval based on our assessment of your preparation and competence. You may apply up to 3 units of it toward your major requirements.
Minor Requirements
  • Students majoring in Communication Studies must complete 18 units in one of the following:
    • A minor; or
    • By major advisor approval only-a 15-unit certificate program plus 3 additional units of coursework.

  • You must complete a minor of at least 18 units from those described in this catalog. In consultation with your advisor, you should select a minor that is appropriate for your career aspirations and educational needs. Your minor advisor will advise you about this part of your academic plan.

Foreign Language Requirement

  • You must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English that is equivalent to four terms of university coursework in the same language. You may satisfy this requirement by taking language courses or by testing out of all or part of it by taking CLEP exams. 

General Electives

  • Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

    You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.

    We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.