Communication, B.A.

[Communications—0601]

Students majoring in Communication emphasize four areas of communication (theory, speaking, writing, and media), complete a concentration in a related academic field, and complete at least one professional internship. They are prepared for graduate study in such areas as communication/rhetorical studies, counseling, cultural or policy studies, journalism, law, and ministry. Graduates typically pursue careers in profit and not-for-profit organizations (in advertising, career counseling, human resource management, journalism, marketing, public relations, radio, television, and the arts).

SPECIFICS OF THE COMMUNICATION B.A. DEGREE

Minimum Total Hours: 124

Total Liberal Arts Hours:  90

General Education Requirements:  Per General Education list (see General Education Division).  Exceptions: MTH 200 must be taken to meet the mathematics proficiency requirement; CSC 101 also required; American Sign Language may not be used to meet the foreign language proficiency requirement.

Minimum Requirements: GPA of 2.3 in the major and overall; no grade less than C- in the major; minimum grade of C+ in CMC 101 and CMP 101 both of which should be taken in the first two semesters, minimum grade of C+ in CMP 102.

Transfer Requirements: See institutional transfer policies; 18 of the 55 hours in the major must be done at RWC including CMC 450.

Application to the Major: Special application form and requirements to be secured from the Division of Religion & Humanities or online at the Division's intranet site and submitted at the end of the sophomore year.  (Note: The standard institutional major application will not be accepted.)  A minimum overall GPA of 2.3 is required for acceptance to the major.

Major Requirements: 55 hours as follows (37 in communication and 18 in a related field):

• 15-hour core:
  • CMC 201;
  • CMC 301;
  • CMC 302;
  • CMC 401;
  • one 400-level theory course.
• 18 hours distributed as follows:
  • Theoretical Emphasis: 6 hours (including a 400-level course not used in the 15-hour core) selected from CMC 303, 306, 333, 405, 409, 410;
  • Oral Emphasis: 3 hours selected from CMC 205, 206, 207, 310;
  • Writing Emphasis: 3 hours selected from CMC 321, CMC 351, CMP 320, CMP 341;
  • Media Emphasis: 3 hours selected from CMC 202, 275, 312, 330, 375;
  • One additional theory, oral, writing, or media course not used above.
• 3-hour Professional Senior Internship (CMC 450) arranged by the Director of the Communication Program in a business, organization, or office related to the student’s interest.
• 1-hour second-semester Senior Internship Seminar (CMC 451)
• 18-hour concentration selected from:
  • Art or Graphic Design
  • Business, Management, or Marketing
  • Computer Science
  • History or Pre-Law
  • Language & Literature
  • Media Studies
  • Ministry
  • Music
  • Psychology or Social Science
  • Religion/Philosophy
  • Theater

Students should contact the Division of Religion and Humanities for the required course list for the selected concentration. (Other concentrations may be designed in consultation with the Communication faculty but must be approved in writing.)