This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2025-Spring 2026 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.
Bachelor of Science in Communication
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (AS)
Department: Communication
Academic Plan Code(s): COMMBS, COMMBS_O
Program Information
This program can be completed 100% online.
The Department of Communication offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication.
A Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Science degree are equally valued. Both offer the students who earn them the opportunity to continue their education at the master’s degree level if they are so inclined. But, the two tracks do tend to hone different strengths. The coursework required for a Bachelor of Arts degree generally allows students to sharpen their oral and written communication skills. The demands of a Bachelor of Science degree include sharpening basic Communication skills as well as developing analytical skills relevant to Communication in a more in-depth manner.
Completion of this degree requires work to be submitted for the department’s Learning Outcomes Measurement. For details, contact the department.
Degree Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements 1 | 31 | |
| College/School Requirements | 13-15 | |
| Program/Major Requirements 1,2 | 48 | |
| Supporting Courses | 27-29 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 121 | |
- 1
Some credit hours from the General Education Requirements may be satisfied by courses defined by the program, in which case additional electives will be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree. See the Degree Requirements tab for specific coursework.
- 2
Includes 9-11 hours of electives
Specific coursework information can be found on the Degree Requirements tab.
Accelerated BS/MA (Master of Arts) in Communication
Communication majors who are considering pursuing a master’s degree (MA) in Communication can speed up the process by applying some of their undergraduate credit hours toward a master's degree. Undergraduate students interested in participating in an accelerated dual bachelors/master's degree offered through the University's Soaring Scholar Program must first meet with their academic advisor and be accepted into the program. Once accepted, students will receive an official admission letter outlining program policies and details. They will then work with their department and academic advisor to register for classes each semester, ensuring they meet the milestones and academic progress requirements of the Soaring Scholar program. Students accepted into the Accelerated BA/MA take three graduate courses (9 credit hours) as an undergraduate that apply toward both the bachelor’s degree and the eventual master's degree. A Soaring Scholar student is considered an undergraduate student until their bachelor's degree is conferred. In their final undergraduate semester, they are expected to apply for admission to their respective master's program.
Departmental Admission Requirements
Admission to the BS program in Communication requires:
- Completion of COMM 201 with a minimum grade of C;
- A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5; and
- A minimum grade point average of 2.0 on courses in the major.
The Change Major Request form can be found under the Academic Progress tile on ULink.
Accelerated MA Program (Soaring Scholars)
Interested students must apply for admission to the Soaring Scholars program. Admission will be based on cumulative GPA (3.25 or better after earning 45 credit hours), completion of COMM 316 with a grade of B or higher, and two letters of recommendation from Communication faculty.
General Education Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements * | 31 | |
| The following courses are required by the program and can satisfy the respective General Education Requirement: | ||
COMM 201 | Introduction to Communication Studies - SB | |
Some courses options for meeting other program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements. | ||
*All degrees require the completion of the University-wide General Education Program (link provided above). Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.
College/School Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Arts & Sciences Requirements | ||
| GEN 100 | Student Success Center First Year Experience | 1 |
| or GEN 101 | Arts & Sciences First Year Experience | |
| Foreign Language 1 | 6-8 | |
| Electives in Humanities or Natural Sciences at the 300-level or above 2 | 6 | |
| WR—two approved courses at the 300 level or above 3 | ||
| Minimum Total Hours | 13-15 | |
Program/Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Communication | ||
| COMM 201 | Introduction to Communication Studies - SB 4 | 3 |
| COMM 303 | Introduction to Communication Technologies | 3 |
| COMM 304 | Argument In Everyday Life | 3 |
| COMM 305 | Introduction to Mass Communication | 3 |
| COMM 315 | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMM 316 | Research Methods | 3 |
| Select one of the following courses: | 3 | |
COMM 402 | Independent Research in Communication - CUE | |
COMM 417 | Senior Communication Internship - CUE | |
COMM 465 | Special Topics in Communication Service Learning - CUE | |
COMM 481 | Senior Practicum - CUE | |
| Select one of the following coures: | 3 | |
COMM 302 | Speak Up, Speak Out | |
COMM 319 | Debate | |
| Select one of the following: 10 | 3 | |
COMM 320 | Newswriting - WR | |
COMM 323 | Magazine and Feature Writing - WR | |
COMM 344 | Strategic Communication Writing - WR | |
| COMM elective at 200 level or above | 3 | |
| COMM electives at 300 level or above | 12 | |
| COMM electives at 400 level or above | 6 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 48 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Supporting Courses | ||
| Statistics/Quantitative Methods | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: 6 | ||
BSTA 201 | Business Statistics | |
COMM 255 | Communication and Statistics - QR | |
CJ 326 | Quantitative Analysis in Criminal Justice - QR | |
HSS 377 | Foundations of Quantitative Statistics - QR | |
MATH 109 | Elementary Statistics - QR | |
PAS 408 | Research Methods in Pan-African Studies - WR | |
POLS 390 | Political Science Research Methods | |
PSYC 301 | Introduction to Social Statistics | |
SOC 301 | Introduction to Social Statistics | |
| Social Science Elective in Human Behavior 5 | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: 7 | ||
ANTH 201 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology - P2, SB | |
ANTH 203 | Archaeology of Human History - P2, SBH | |
ANTH 309/WGST 300 | Sex, Gender and Culture | |
ANTH 310/PAS 368 | Race, Culture, Identity | |
CJ 200 | Introduction to Criminal Justice - SB | |
CJ 201 | Introduction to Law Enforcement - SB | |
CJ 202 | Introduction to Corrections - SB | |
GEOG 324 | Race and Place | |
HIST 321 | Black Culture and U.S. Democracy | |
HIST 326 | History of Childhood in America - P1, SBH, WR | |
HSS 364 | Women's Health Issues - P1, SB | |
LALS 310 | Introduction to Latin American Studies - P2, SB | |
LALS 317 | Social Sciences Special Topics in Latino Studies | |
PAS 200 | Introduction to Pan-African Studies - P1, SB | |
PAS 301 | Social Sciences Special Topics in Pan-African Studies | |
PSYC 201 | Introduction to Psychology - SB | |
SOC 201 | Introduction to Sociology - SB | |
SOC 202 | Social Problems - P1, SB | |
SOC 203 | Self and Society | |
SOC 210 | Race in the United States - P1, SB | |
SOC 305 | Urban Sociology | |
SOC 325 | Sociology of Human Sexuality | |
SOC 327/WGST 313 | Sociology of Gender | |
WGST 201 | Women In American Culture - AH, P1 | |
WGST 301 | Introduction to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Studies | |
| Natural Sciences Elective in Human Behavior, Development, Environment, or Health 5 | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: 8 | ||
BIOL 102 | Biology: Current Issues and Applications - S | |
BIOL 240 | Unity of Life - S | |
BIOL 242 | Diversity of Life - S | |
BIOL 260 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | |
CHEM 101 | Introduction to General Chemistry - S | |
CHEM 105 | Chemistry for Health Professionals - S | |
CHEM 201 | General Chemistry I - S | |
ENVS 200 | The Global Environment - S | |
ENVS 220 | Introduction to Weather and Climate - S | |
ENVS 360 | Global Environmental Change | |
ENVS 363 | Climate Science | |
HSS 202 | Foundations of Anatomy & Physiology - S | |
HSS 302 | Foundations of Nutrition | |
HSS 303 | Advanced Nutrition and Energy Metabolism | |
PHYS 107 | Elementary Astronomy - S | |
PHYS 111 | Elements of Physics - B | |
PSYC 305 | Brain and Behavior | |
BSW 203 | Human Biology for Social Sciences | |
| Social Science electives (other than Communication) | 9 | |
| Minimum Electives 9 | 9-11 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 27-29 | |
At least 50 of the total minimum hours required must be at the 300 level or above.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Culminating Undergraduate Experience (Graduation requirement) | ||
| Requirement fulfilled by completing one of the following: | ||
COMM 402 | Independent Research in Communication - CUE | |
COMM 417 | Senior Communication Internship - CUE | |
COMM 465 | Special Topics in Communication Service Learning - CUE | |
COMM 481 | Senior Practicum - CUE | |
- 1
Completion of the second semester of a single foreign language; hours will vary depending on the language taken
- 2
In addition to courses counted toward General Education
- 3
May be incorporated into other degree requirements. Candidates for the BS will complete three (3) WR courses, the two required by the College and one of the following: COMM 320, COMM 323, or COMM 344.
- 4
Fulfills General Education requirement
- 5
In addition to courses counted toward General Education.
- 6
Or another statistics elective approved by an advisor
- 7
Or another Social Science elective approved by an advisor
- 8
Or another Natural Sciences elective approved by an advisor
- 9
Some credit hours from the General Education Requirements may be satisfied by courses that also satisfy program requirements, in which case additional electives will be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.
- 10
The course taken to satisfy this BS major requirement may not be used to satisfy the College WR requirement. Students in the BS degree program must complete three (3) WR courses. With approval from the accelerated program advisor, successful applicants to the Accelerated BS-MA program will identify up to 9 credit hours at the 500-600 level to count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree. These credits will count as elective credits toward the undergraduate degree.
Soaring Scholars Accelerated BA-BS/MA Requirements
With approval from the accelerated program advisor, successful applicants will identify up to 9 credit hours at the 500-600 level to count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree. These credits will count as elective credits toward the undergraduate degree.
Flight Plan
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| GEN 100 or GEN 101 | Student Success Center First Year Experience or Arts & Sciences First Year Experience | 1 |
| COMM 201 | Introduction to Communication Studies - SB | 3 |
| ENGL 101 | Introduction to College Writing - WC | 3 |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities Global Perspectives - AHP2 | 3 | |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Quantitative Reasoning - QR | 3-4 | |
| Foreign Language 1 | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 16-18 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 102 | Intermediate College Writing - WC | 3 |
| COMM 111 or COMM 112 or COMM 115 | Introduction to Public Speaking - OC | 3 |
| Communication Elective (200 level or above) | 3 | |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences - S | 3 | |
| Foreign Language 2 | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| COMM 305 | Introduction to Mass Communication | 3 |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences Historical Perspective - SBH | 3 | |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences - S | 3 | |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences Lab - SL | 1 | |
| Communication Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMM 302 or COMM 319 | Speak Up, Speak Out or Debate | 3 |
| COMM 304 | Argument In Everyday Life | 3 |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities US Perspectives - AHP1 | 3 | |
| Statistics/Quantitative Methods Elective | 3 | |
| Humanities or Natural Science WR Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| COMM 303 | Introduction to Communication Technologies | 3 |
| COMM 315 | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| Humanities or Natural Science Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| Social Science Elective in Human Behavior | 3 | |
| Social Science Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMM 316 | Research Methods | 3 |
| Communication Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| Social Science Elective | 3 | |
| Natural Science Elective in Human Behavior, Development, Environment, or Health | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
COMM 320 | Newswriting - WR | |
COMM 323 | Magazine and Feature Writing - WR | |
COMM 344 | Strategic Communication Writing - WR | |
| Communication WR Elective (400 level or above) | 3 | |
| Communication Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| Communication Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| Social Science Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
COMM 402 | Independent Research in Communication - CUE | |
COMM 417 | Senior Communication Internship - CUE | |
COMM 465 | Special Topics in Communication Service Learning - CUE | |
COMM 481 | Senior Practicum - CUE | |
| Communication Elective (400 level or above) | 3 | |
| General Elective (300 level or above) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective (if needed) | 2 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 121-124 | |
Accelerated MA (Soaring Scholars) Requirements
| Year 3 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 450 | Advanced Intercultural Communication - CUE, WR | 3 |
| COMM 506 | Ethical Problems in Communication - CUE, WR | 3 |
| COMM 510 | Special Topics in Communication Studies | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 9 | |
The Flight Plan outlined above is intended to demonstrate one possible path to completing the degree within four years. Course selection and placement within the program may vary depending on course offerings and schedule, elective preferences, and other factors (study abroad, internship availability, etc.). Please consult your advisor for additional information about building a flight plan that works for you.
Degree Audit Report
Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan, and which requirements are still outstanding. Degree audits also take transfer credits and test credits into account. "What-if" reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan. Should you have questions about either report, please consult with your academic advisor.
Flight Planner
The Flight Planner tool is available for you to create a personalized Flight Plan to graduation. Advisors have access to review your Flight Planner and can help you adjust it to ensure you remain on track to graduate in a timely manner.
To create these reports:
- Log into your ULink account.
- Click on the Academic Progress tile.
- Select the appropriate report.
- To run a Degree Audit report, click on "View my Degree Audit."
- To create a What-if report, click on "What-if Advisement Report."
- To run a Flight Planner report, click on "Use My Flight Planner."
Click here to run a Degree Audit report, create a What-if report, or run a Flight Planner report.
Accelerated BS/MA Program (Soaring Scholars)
Communication majors who are considering pursuing a master’s degree (MA) in Communication can speed up the process by applying some of their undergraduate credit hours toward a master's degree. Undergraduate students interested in participating in an accelerated dual bachelors/master's degree offered through the University's Soaring Scholar Program must first meet with their academic advisor and be accepted into the program. Once accepted, students will receive an official admission letter outlining program policies and details. They will then work with their department and academic advisor to register for classes each semester, ensuring they meet the milestones and academic progress requirements of the Soaring Scholar program. Students accepted into the Accelerated BA/MA take three graduate courses (9 credit hours) as an undergraduate that apply toward both the bachelor’s degree and the eventual master's degree. A Soaring Scholar student is considered an undergraduate student until their bachelor's degree is conferred. In their final undergraduate semester, they are expected to apply for admission to their respective master's program.
Interested students must apply for admission to the Soaring Scholars program. Admission will be based on cumulative GPA (3.25 or better after earning 45 credit hours), completion of COMM 316 with a grade of B or higher, and two letters of recommendation from Communication faculty.