Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 General Catalog 
    
2021-2022 General Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Communication Studies - BA, BS


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Catalog Search

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of Communication Studies and Philosophy

Navigation Help:

The blue highlighted text  indicates additional details are available. Simply click on it to view details such as course name, description, prerequisites, or to be linked to another website with additional information. The back arrow button may be used to return to this page if you leave it through a link.

  • For more information about Communication Studies, please see the Languages, Philosophy & Communication Studies website.
  • Following is a sample four-year plan. Please note that this plan is only a general guideline and that student-specific plans may differPlease make sure to consult regularly with your departmental advisor to confirm what courses will be available and to work out your plan of study.

  • Admitted students must meet with an academic advisor. Current students should also meet with an academic advisor and log on to Degree Works  to check student-specific program progress.

Bachelor of Science Degree

Students desiring a (BS) Bachelor of Science degree must complete all requirements listed in the core requirements below.

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Students desiring a (BA) Bachelor of Arts degree must complete the language proficiency requirements in one of the following ways in addition to the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree requirements:

  • Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language by successful completion of one course at the 2020-level or higher (or its equivalent)  OR
  • Demonstration of proficiency in American Sign Language by successful completion of American Sign Language IV (COMD 4920 ) and Socio-Cultural Aspects of Deafness (COMD 4780 ), and by passing an exit interview  OR
  • Demonstration of proficiency in two foreign languages by successful completion of the 1020 course level in one language and the 2010 course level in the second language (or its equivalent)  OR
  • Completion of an upper-division (3000-level or higher) foreign language grammar or literature course requiring the 2020 course level (or its equivalent) as a prerequisite. Conversation courses cannot be considered for satisfying this requirement.
     

For nonnative English-speaking students only, the following options are available:

  • Successful completion of the Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) program for international students  OR
  • TOEFL, Michigan, or IELI placement scores high enough to meet the University admission criteria.

 

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits 120

 

Grade Point Average (most majors require higher GPA)

2.00 GPA
Credits of C- or better 100 Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above) 40
Total USU Credits 30 Upper-division USU Credits 20
USU Credits within the Major 10 Credits in Minor (if required) 12
Credits in Major see below Credits in American Institutions 3
General Education Requirements    see link University Studies Depth Requirements   see link

NOTES: The highest math requirement for this degree is Quantitative Literacy (QL)  course of student’s choice.

NOTES: A minor or additional major must also be completed to complete all requirements for this major.

 

Admissions Requirements for this Program

New freshmen Admitted to USU in Good Standing

 

Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU 3.00 GPA

First Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

ENGL 1010: Introduction to Writing: Academic Prose (CL1)   3     CMST 1020: Public Speaking (BHU)    3    
Breadth Requirement 3   Quantitative Literacy (QL)   3  
Breadth Requirement 3   Breadth Requirement 3  
Breadth Requirement 3   Elective Course 3  
Breadth Requirement 3   Elective Course 3  
TOTAL CREDITS: 15   TOTAL CREDITS: 15  

Comments

Comments

Second Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

CMST 2110: Interpersonal Communication (BHU/HR)   3     Required Area: Diversity Course 3  
ENGL 2010: Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode (CL2)   3     Required Area: Discovery Course 3  
Elective Course 3   Depth Social Sciences (DSS)  or CMST 3330: Intercultural Communication (DSS)   3 or 3    
Required Minor Course 3   Required Minor Course 3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
TOTAL CREDITS: 15   TOTAL CREDITS: 15  

Comments

Comments

Third Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

Required Area: Discovery Course 3   Com Theme: Connect/Collaborate Course 3  
Depth Life and Physical Sciences (DSC)   3   Com Theme: Challenge/Change Course 3  
Com Theme: Connect/Collaborate Course 3   Quantitative Intensive (QI)   3  
Required Minor Course 3   Required Minor Course 3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
TOTAL CREDITS: 15   TOTAL CREDITS: 15  

Comments

Comments

Fourth Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

Com Theme: Challenge/Change Course 3   CMST 5800: Communication Studies Senior Capstone (CI)   2    
Elective/Emphasis Course 3   Elective/Emphasis Course 3  
Elective/Emphasis Course 3   Required Minor Course 3  
Required Minor Course 3   Upper-Division Elective Course 3  
Upper-Division Elective Course 3   Upper-Division Elective Course 3  
TOTAL CREDITS: 15   TOTAL CREDITS: 14  

Comments

Comments

Communication Studies Major Requirements (38 credits)


  • Total Credits: 38
  • Minimum Grade Point Average to Declare PPRU Communication Studies Major: 3.0 Overall GPA
  • Minimum Grade Point Average to Apply for the Full Major in Communication Studies:  2.75 Overall GPA
  • Minimum Grade Point Average to Graduate with Communication Studies Major: 2.5 GPA within major coursework
  • Credits in Residence: At least half (50 percent) of the credits earned for the Communication Studies major must be earned at USU and approved by the department head. As many as 19 credits completed at other colleges or universities may be used to partially satisfy these requirements. For more information, students should contact their advisor.
  • Note: A second major or minor is required. No more than 9 credit hours of the Communication Studies major can overlap with an additional declared major.
  • Minimum Grade Requirement: All courses taken for the major require a minimum grade of C- or better. Courses for the major may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.

B. Required Areas (9 credits)


C. Communication Themes (12 credits)


Complete at least two classes (6 credits) from each of the following two areas focused on Functions of Communication.

Note: Courses taken to meet a Diversity or Discovery requirement will not count as a thematic class.

D. Electives (9 credits)


Electives may be any CMST course (including any of the of the courses in sections B and C not previously taken), internships, independent readings or topics classes under CMST 5000.

Area of Emphasis

It is recommended that students use their electives in a very intentional manner. To help facilitate that process, students are encouraged to consider selecting an area of emphasis that they could list on their resume.

To qualify for an area of emphasis, students must have taken three of the courses noted next to each of the areas listed below (it is permissible if these courses overlap courses from the required areas to create or strengthen the emphasis area):

  1. Advocacy & Social Justice: CMST 2270 , CMST 3160 CMST 3280 CMST 3400 CMST 3730 CMST 4700 , CMST 5250  
  2. Conflict Management: CMST 3330 , CMST 3400 , CMST 3600 , CMST 4200 , CMST 5500 , CMST 5600  
  3. Health and Community Outreach: CMST 3120 CMST 3400 CMST 4700 , CMST 4750 , CMST 5250  
  4. Human Relationships: CMST 3120 CMST 3330 , CMST 3600 CMST 4200 , CMST 5100 , CMST 5110  
  5. Intercultural Communication: CMST 1330 , CMST 3270 , CMST 3330 , CMST 3730 , CMST 4270 , CMST 4330  
  6. Leadership: CMST 2120 , CMST 3250 CMST 3280 CMST 3330 , CMST 3400 , CMST 3600 , CMST 4200 CMST 5500  
  7. Organizational Communication: CMST 2120 , CMST 3050 , CMST 3250 CMST 3280 CMST 3600 CMST 5500  
  8. Persuasion & Social Influence: CMST 3400 , CMST 3730 , CMST 4200 , CMST 4750 , CMST 5300 , CMST 5400  
  9. Political Communication: CMST 3270 , CMST 3400 , CMST 3730 , CMST 4200 , CMST 4330 , CMST 4700 , CMST 5250  
  10. Research Analysis: CMST 4330 CMST 4800 CMST 4810 CMST 4820 CMST 5100 , CMST 5300  

Related Programs


  • Organizational Communication Minor: 15 credits
  • Speech Communication Teaching Minor: 29 credits

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Catalog Search