Professional Communication Major BA
Two tracks lead to a major in professional communication: Public Relations and Organizational Communication.
Students complete prerequisites and initial courses (100-200) before intermediate courses (300) and intermediate courses before advanced courses (400-500). Major electives can be taken alongside either intermediate or advanced courses. Students complete the capstone course at the end of major coursework.
Note: In the lists of requirements, an asterisk (*) denotes a course or workshop that has a theory seminar option (see Creative Learning Strategies section of this Catalog) for those students with extensive life or work experience.
Acceptance to the Program
To be eligible for acceptance to the Professional Communication major, students must submit a College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Program Declaration Form. Consult with an advisor before enrolling in courses toward the major.
Organizational Communication Track
Organizational communication specialists understand how internal communication can be improved through building teams, training, coordinating efforts, analyzing information flow and resolving conflicts.
Prerequisites (5 credits)
- COMM 103 Public Speaking or COMM 103P
- COMM 171 Desktop Computer Designing for Communication or equivalent
Required Courses (30 total credits)
- Initial Courses
- Intermediate Courses
- Advanced Courses
Electives (8 credits from the following)
- COMM 320 Individual Rights and Public Discourse
- COMM 350I Communication Internship (1-4 credits vary)
- COMM 381 Public Relations Principles*
- COMM 499 Topics in Communication (1-4 credits vary)
- HSTD 393 Training Design and Instruction
- MDST 361 Visual Communications
- WRIT 261 Business Writing
Total Credits for the major, not including prerequisites (38 credits)
Public Relations Track
Public relations practitioners use their sophisticated communication skills, theoretical knowledge and analytical abilities to conduct advocacy campaigns, lobby and develop strategic relationships.
Prerequisites (5 credits)
- COMM 103 Public Speaking or COMM 103P
- COMM 171 Desktop Computer Design for Communication or equivalent
Required Courses (34 total credits)
- Initial Courses
- Intermediate Courses
- Advanced Courses
Electives (4 credits from the following)
- COMM 350I Communication Internship (1-4 credits)
- COMM 351 Communication in Work Groups*
- COMM 352 Organizational Communication
- COMM 361 Managerial Communication*
- COMM 383 Employee Communication (2 credits)
- COMM 499 Topics in Communication (1-4 credits)
