2026-27 Undergraduate Academic Catalog | School of Arts and Humanities | Communication

Communication, B.A.

[Communications—0601]

Students majoring in Communication experience four areas of study (communication theory, speaking, writing, and media) and complete at least one concentration in a second academic area of interest plus a professional internship. Concentrations (listed below) are available in a variety of fields of study. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations (e.g., advertising, career counseling, health services, human resource management, journalism, marketing, public relations, radio, television, the arts) AND to pursue graduate study in such areas as law, communication/rhetorical studies, counseling, cultural or policy studies, education, journalism, media, ministry, and social services.

SPECIFICS OF THE COMMUNICATION B.A. DEGREE

Minimum Total Hours: 124   

Total Liberal Arts Hours: 93

General Education Requirements: Core Curriculum Requirements Exceptions: MATH 2400 (or approved substitute) and CSCI 1010 (or approved substitute) may meet proficiency requirements.  American Sign Language may not be used to meet the foreign language proficiency requirement.

Minimum Requirements: GPA of 2.3 in the major—and cumulative; no grade less than C- in the major; minimum grade of C+ in COMM 1105, COMP 1010, and COMP 1020.

Transfer Requirements: See institutional transfer policies; 18 of the 55 hours in the major must be completed at RWU, including COMM 4500 Internship and COMM 3500 Internship Seminar.

Application to the Major: Formal application after completing at least 45 semester hours with minimum 2.3 Communication and cumulative GPA, including at least three courses in the major at RWU (typically in junior year). Application form is available on line and in the department office.

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

  • 15-hour Core:
    • COMM 2201 Introduction to Communication Arts
    • COMM 3301 Language, Linguistics, & Human Identity
    • COMM 3302 Principles of Persuasion and Criticism
    • COMM 4401 Decision-Making & Ethics in Communication
    • One COMM 4400- or 3000-level theory course
  • 18 hours Distribution:
    • Theoretical Emphasis: minimum 6 hours (including a COMM 4400-level course not used in the 15-hour core):
      • COMM 3303 Communication & Gender
      • COMM 3306 Communication & Education
      • COMM 3033 History of American Public Address
      • COMM 4405 Organizational Communication and Leadership
      • COMM 4409 Classical & Modern Rhetoric
      • COMM 3000 Special Topics in Rhetoric & Criticism
    • Oral Emphasis: minimum 3 hours selected from:
      • COMM 2205 Interpersonal & Nonverbal Communication
      • COMM 2206 Cross-Cultural Communication
      • COMM 2207 Argumentation and Debate
      • COMM 3310 Oral Interpretation, Diction, & Delivery
    • Writing Emphasis: minimum 3 hours selected from:
      • COMM 3304 Foundations of Public Relations
      • COMM 3210 Journalism
      • COMM 3351 Analysis and Criticism in Contemporary Culture
      • COMP 3200 Creative Writing
    • Media Emphasis: minimum 3 hours selected from:
      • COMM 2202 Introduction to Media
      • COMM 2750 Introduction to Digital Video 
      • ARTS 1050 Foundations: Digital Media Art
      • ARTS 2730 Introduction to Digital Imaging
      • ARTS 2810 Web Design I
    • At least one additional theory, oral, writing, or media course not used above.
  • 3-hour Professional Senior Internship (COMM 4500) in a business, official office, or organization related to the student’s interest and approved by the Internship Seminar professor. Typical internships require 130 clock hours. 
  • 1-hour Senior Internship Seminar (COMM 3500) concurrent with Senior Internship (4500)
  • 18-hour Concentration selected from: 
    • Business, Management, Marketing
    • Computer Science
    • Criminal Justice
    • Gender Studies
    • History
    • Pre-Law
    • Language & Literature
    • Media Studies
    • Ministry
    • Music
    • Psychology or Social Science
    • Religion/Philosophy
    • Theater
    • Visual Arts

Communication faculty assist in selecting courses for concentrations. Additional concentrations may be designed in consultation with and approval by the Communication Director, followed by submission to the Office of Registration.