Communication Studies, Bachelor of Arts

In addition to University Requirements:

• 42 units of major requirements.
• 16 units of language requirements.

• Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy General Studies Requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major 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
University Honors Program	Optional
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A	Recommended
Progression Plan Link	Not Available

Purpose Statement

Central to the discipline of Communication Studies is the assumption that communication constructs the social world and is relational, collaborative, strategic, symbolic, and adaptive. In order to understand, explore, and refine this assumption, Communication Studies focuses on the examination and integration of communication theory, research, critical thinking, ethics, and communication skills. The Communication Studies degree produces reflective citizens who are able to contribute thoughtfully and constructively to the worlds of which they are a part. Students learn about, examine, and investigate communication in diverse contexts (relational, cultural, professional, and public) using discipline-appropriate quantitative, qualitative, and critical methods. Students develop and refine skills in effective oral and written communication, and learn to create messages appropriate to their audience, purpose, and communicative context. As communication generalists, graduates are prepared to enter a variety of professions and/or post-graduate education.
 

Student Learning Outcomes
A central assumption of these Degree Program Learning Outcomes (DPLO) is that communication constructs the social world and is relational, collaborative, strategic, symbolic, and adaptive.

• Students will engage in Communication scholarship, theories, and research methods.
  • Explain Communication scholarship, theories, and/or research methods.
  • Apply Communication scholarship, theories, and/or research methods.
  • Contribute to Communication scholarship using the research methods of the discipline.
• Students will create messages appropriate to audiences, purposes, and contexts.
  • Locate and use information relevant to audiences, purposes, and contexts.
  • Adapt messages to the diverse needs of individuals, groups, and contexts.
  • Present messages in various communication modalities and contexts.
  • Critically reflect on one's messages after the communication event.
  • Utilize communication to respond to issues at local, national, and/or global levels (civic engagement).
• Students will critically analyze messages and communication situations.
  • Identify meanings embedded in messages.
  • Articulate characteristics of mediated and non-mediated messages.
  • Engage in critical thinking.
  • Evaluate situations and barriers that affect communication goals.
  • Evaluate public discourses and issues from a communication perspective.
• Students will apply ethical communication principles and practices.
  • Identify ethical perspectives.
  • Evaluate the ethical elements of a communication situation.
  • Propose solutions for (un)ethical communication.
• Students will utilize communication to embrace differences.
  • Recognize individual and cultural similarities and differences.
  • Articulate the connection between communication and culture.
  • Articulate one's cultural standpoint and how it affects communication and worldview.

Major Requirements

• This major requires 58 units distributed as follows:

  • Communication Studies Common Core: 24 units
  • Communication Studies Electives: 18 units
  • Foreign Language: 16 units
  
  Take the following 58 units:

• Communication Studies Common Core (24 units)
  The following coursework must be completed with a Grade of 'C' or better in each course.

  • COM 101, COM 200 (6 units)
  • CST 111, CST 151, CST 201, CST 271 (12 units)
  • Select from the following which meet the junior-level writing requirement (3 units):
    • CST 300W, CST 305W
  • CST 498C which meets the senior capstone requirement. (3 units)

• Communication Studies Electives (18 units)
  Coursework must be completed with a Grade of 'C' or better in each course.
  Coursework must be selected in consultation with your advisor.

  • Select from the following (6 - 12 units):
    • CST 217, CST 301, CST 311, CST 312, CST 321, CST 323, CST 361, CST 365, CST 370, CST 399
    • CST 300W or CST 305W
    • CST 408 (3 units maximum)
    • STR 272
  • Select from the following (6 - 12 units):
    • COM 470
    • CST 424, CST 451, CST 460, CST 465, CST 471, CST 472, CST 475, CST 477, CST 499

• 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 General-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.

• Students enrolled in this plan may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:

• • Communication Studies, Minor

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 through credit by exam. (16 units)

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

Additional Information

• Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

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