Attention: This page is designed using recognized Web standards. You are seeing this message because your browser does not support those standards. You will have full access to the content of this page, but it will look much better if you use a recent browser such as Internet Explorer 7.x (Windows), or Mozilla Firefox (Windows/Mac). Learn more...

Communications Studies Program

Communication Program > Degree Requirements

Degree Requirements

Requirements for the Communication Track

All courses and prerequisites that fulfill the requirements for the communication track must be completed with a grade of C or higher. None of these courses, with the exception of ENG-W 131, the math prerequisite for S 424, and S 427 Cross Cultural Communication, may be used to satisfy the arts and sciences distribution requirements.

  1. In order to be admitted to the communication track, a student must meet the following requirements:
    1. The student must have completed 30 credit hours, including the prerequisite courses, with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.3.
    2. Required prerequisite courses: ENG-W 131 Elementary Composition I SPCH-S 121 Public Speaking SPCH-S 122 Interpersonal Communication

  2. After completing the admission requirements for the communication track, each student must complete the following courses. Instructors will hold to the stated prerequisites for each course. Prerequisites may not be taken concurrently.

    • SPCH-S 205 Introduction to Speech Communication (Fall and Spring Sem.) Prerequisites: ENG-W 131, SPCH-S 121, SPCH-S 122, 30 credit hours and an overall GPA of 2.3
    • SPCH-S 228 Argumentation and Debate (Fall Sem.) Prerequisites: SPCH-S 121 and sophomore standing
    • SPCH-S 229 Discussion and Group Methods (Spring Sem.) Prerequisites: SPCH-S 121, SPCH-S 122, and sophomore standing
    • SPCH-S 322 Advanced Interpersonal Communication (Fall Sem.) Prerequisites: SPCH-S 122 and junior standing
    • SPCH-S 324 Persuasion (Fall Sem.) Prerequisites: SPCH-S 205 and junior standing
    • SPCH-S 405 Human Communication Theory (Spring Sem.) Prerequisites: SPCH-S 205 and senior standing
    • SPCH-S 421 Speech Criticism (Spring Sem.) Prerequisites: SPCH-S 205 and junior standing
    • SPCH-S 424 Empirical Research Methods in Speech Communication (Spring Sem.) Prerequisites: MATH-A 118, MATH-M 118 or higher math
    • SPCH-S 205, junior standing (math course must be completed with a C or higher)
    • SPCH-S 440 Organizational Communication (Fall Sem.) Prerequisites: SPCH-S 205 and senior standing Plus one performance-based course from the following:
    • SPCH-C 205 Oral Interpretation of Literature (Fall Sem., odd years) Prerequisites: SPCH-S 121 or THTR-T 120 and sophomore standing
    • SPCH-C 320 Advanced Public Speaking (Fall Sem., even years) Prerequisites: SPCH-S 121 and sophomore standing

  3. Students must complete a minimum of 9 credit hours of electives above the 100 level approved by the communication studies faculty.

– Back to top –

Requirements for the Advertising Track

All courses that fulfill the requirements for the advertising track must be completed with a grade of C or higher. None of these courses, with the exception of ENG-W 131, and MATH-M 118 or higher, may be used to satisfy the B.A. degree distribution requirements.

  1. In order to be admitted to the advertising track, a student must meet the following requirements:
    1. The student must have completed 30 credit hours, to include the prerequisite courses, with a minimum GPA of 2.3.
    2. Required prerequisite courses: ENG-W 131 Elementary Composition I MATH-M 118 Finite Mathematics, or a higher-level math course SPCH-S 121 Public Speaking SPCH-S 122 Interpersonal Communication

  2. First-level Core Requirements
    • SPCH-S 205 Introduction to Speech Communication
    • JOUR-J 200 Reporting, Writing, and Editing
    • JOUR-J 320 Principles of Creative Advertising
    • BUS-M 300 Introduction to Marketing for Non-business Majors
    • JOUR-J 300 Communication Law OR J 280 Seminar in Journalism Ethics
    • FINA-S 250 Logo Design ( S 351 Typography or S 352 Production)

  3. Second-level Core Requirements

    The following courses comprise the second-level core requirements for the advertising track. Prerequisite and first-level courses must be completed before enrolling in these courses.
    • SPCH-S 324 Persuasion (prerequisite: junior standing and S 205)
    • SPCH-S 333 Public Relations
    • SPCH-S 424 Empirical Methods (prerequisite: A 118/M 118 or higher math)
    • TEL-R 440 Advertising Strategies (prerequisites: S 205, M 300; J 320)
    • TEL-T 441: Advanced Advertising Strategies (prerequisite: R 440)

  4. Electives: At least 6 credit hours must be completed from the following list:
    • SPCH-T 414 Public Communication Campaigns (prerequisite: S 324)
    • BUS-M 415 Advertising and Promotional Management
    • FINA-P 380 Web Design
    • JOUR-J 210 Visual Communication (all three sections of 1 credit hour each)
    • SPCH-S 398

– Back to top –

Requirements for the Theatre Track

All required courses in the theatre track must be completed with a minimum grade of C. Students may not use correspondence courses in theatre for academic credit. Students may take one theatre course through Metroversity per year, totaling no more than 4 Metroversity credit hours.

Admission to the theatre major is by audition only. This requirement is intended to ensure that interested students have sufficient theatre background to succeed in the discipline. It also allows faculty to evaluate a student's experience before placement in the production program.

  1. THTR-T 115 Oral Interpretation I (or SPCH-C 205 Introduction to Oral Interpretation)
    • THTR-T 120 Acting I
    • THTR-T 220 Acting II or THTR-T 320 Acting III
    • THTR-T 225 Stagecraft I

  2. THTR-T 270 and T 271 Introduction to History of the Theatre I-II in addition to the theatre history course, which satisfies the communication core
    • SPCH-S 325 Voice and Diction

  3. A minimum of 15 credit hours above the 100 level to be completed as follows:
    1. A minimum of 6 credit hours from courses in dramatic literature offered by the English department.
    2. Nine (9) credit hours must be selected from courses in theatre.

  4. Capstone Experience: Junior-level theatre-track majors within the Department of Communication Studies must schedule a capstone experience through their advisors.

  5. Portfolio: Each senior-level theatre track major within the Communication Studies Department is required to schedule a portfolio review through his or her advisor to assess strengths and weaknesses in area concentration.

– Back to top –

Requirements for the Theatre-Business Track

All required courses in the theatre-business track must be completed with a minimum grade of C. Students may not use correspondence courses in theatre for academic credit. Students may take one theatre course through Metroversity per year, totaling no more than 4 Metroversity credit hours.

Theatre Courses

  • THTR-T 115 Oral Interpretation
  • THTR-T 120 Acting I
  • THTR-T 225 Stagecraft I
  • THTR-T 270 Introduction to the History of the Theater I
  • THTR-T 271 Introduction to the History of the Theater II
  • THTR-T 321 Directing I

Six (6) credit hours in dramatic literature. Choose from:

  • CMLT-L 203, L 308, L 313, L 314, L 363, L 365, L 366, THTR-T 275, T 483

Two (2) credit hours Senior Capstone Experience

Two (2) credit hours Practicum Experience

Business Courses

  • BUS-A 20l Introduction to Accounting
  • BUS-L 201 Legal Environment of Business
  • BUS-M 300 Introduction to Marketing Management OR BUS-M 301 Introduction to Marketing Management
  • BUS-M 415 Advertising and Promotion Management
  • BUS-W 211 Contemporary Entrepreneurship
  • MUS-U 411 Concert Management
  • Three (3) credit hours Professional Internship

Three (3) credit hours elective from recommended list below:

  • BUS-A 202 Introduction to Managerial Accounting
  • BUS-F 260 Personal Finance
  • COAS-W 100 Introduction to Business
  • FINA-P 220 Computer Art and Design
  • SPCH-S 223 Business and Professional Speaking
  • SPCH-S 324 Persuasion
  • MUS-U 412 Music Theatre Management

Advertising courses in communication

Students concentrating in theatre business are required to take specific general-education courses. The following are required for this degree: MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus I or MATH-M 122 College Algebra; CSCI-C 106 Introduction to Computers and Their Use; ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills; and SPCH-S 121 Public Speaking.

The student should also be aware that this degree has B.A. distribution requirements that require PSY-P 101 Introductory Psychology I, SOC-S 163 Social Problems, and ECON-E 108 Introduction to Microeconomics to be taken to fulfill the Individual, Society, and Politics requirement.

– Back to top –

Associate of Arts in Communication

Students must complete the following courses with a minimum grade of C.

  1. SPCH-S 121 Public Speaking
  2. SPCH-S 122 Interpersonal Communication
  3. SPCH-S 205 Introduction to Speech Communication
  4. Select two communication courses (6 credit hours) at the 200 or 300 level

Associate of Arts in Theatre

Students must complete the following courses with a minimum grade of C-.

  1. THTR-T 270 or T 271: Introduction to History of the Theatre I and II
  2. THTR-T 120 Acting I
  3. THTR-T 225 Stagecraft
  4. Two courses from one of the following groups:

    Group 1:

    • THTR-T 326 Scene Design
    • THTR-T 335 Stage Lighting
    • THTR-T 424 Stagecraft I

    Group 2:

    • THTR-T 220 Acting II
    • THTR-T 340 Directing
    • THTR-T 410 Movement for the Theatre

– Back to top –

Requirements for a Minor in Communications

Students majoring in other disciplines may choose to minor in either communication or theater.

Communication Minor

All courses in the minor must be completed with a grade of C or higher. 1. SPCH-S 121 Public Speaking 2. SPCH-S 122 Interpersonal Communication 3. SPCH-S 205 Introduction to Speech Communication 4. Select two courses (6 credit hours) from the following: S 228, S 229, S 322, S 324, S 421, S 440

Theatre Minor

All courses in the minor must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.

  1. T 120 Acting I
  2. T 225 Stagecraft I
  3. T 270 Introduction to History of the Theatre I or T 271 Introduction to History of the Theatre II
  4. Six (6) credit hours to be selected from theatre courses above the 100 level

Associate of Arts Degrees in Communication Studies

See "General Requirements for the Associate of Arts Degree." A student may complete an Associate of Arts degree in two of the four tracks in communication studies: communication or theatre.

– Back to top –