Major Details

All Communication majors must complete the Department of Communication Major Requirements.

The major requires a broad foundation in the basics of communication along with more focused study in an area of concentration. The communication core of four fundamental classes provide a foundation of skills and theory. Students must complete the core foundation courses (171, 176, 306 & 307) with a grade of "C" or better in each course and obtain junior standing before taking courses at the 400 level. The 401 Rhetorical Theory and 407 Communication Theory are required capstone experiences for all communication majors.  Majors will take classes in five content areas and choose one or more areas of concentration in advanced communication skills, organizational communication, interpersonal communication, public communication or mass media.

McMicken College's flexible degree requirements allow for and highly encourage students to pursue multiple areas of study. Free electives allow for enough credits for students to pursue a minor, certificate program or even complete a second major. Some of the most common pairings are listed below.

  • Journalism 
  • International affairs
  • Foreign languages
  • Social science programs
  • Business

Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this major. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently enrolled at UC, you can audit your degree online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the course applicability system (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

Communication Major Requirements

College Requirements Checklist

This is a suggested plan to complete the program in four years.  Students will take required courses at different times depending upon their choice of options and the combination of the major with a minor or other program.

Course Name

 Course Number Credits
First Year
*English Composition ENGL101-102

6

*Quantitative Reasoning (QR) see checklist 9
*Foreign Language (can include DC) see checklist 9-15
Effective Public Speaking 15COMM171 3
Interpersonal Communication 15COMM176 3
*Social Sciences (SS, 100-level) see offerings 3
*Humanities (HU, 100-level) see offerings 3
*Natural Sciences (NS, 100-level) see offerings

3

Courses in minor or other program see options  0-6
Total for first year

45

- - -
Second Year
*English Composition 15ENGL289 

3

Introduction to Rhetorical Theory 15COMM306

3

Introduction to Communication Theory 15COMM307

3

Selected courses in Communication see major requirements

6

*Foreign Language (if necessary) see checklist

0-9

*Literature (LT) see offerings 3
*Social Sciences (SS) see offerings 3
*Natural Sciences (NS) see offerings 6
*Historical Perspectives (HP) see offerings 9
 Courses in minor or other program see options 0-9
 Total for second year    45
- - -
 Third & Fourth Years    
**Rhetorical Theory 15COMM401 3
**Communication Theory 15COMM407 3
Advanced Communication courses see major checklist 30
*Social Sciences (SS) see offerings

 3

*Humanities, Fine Arts, or Literature (HU, FA, or LT) see offerings

 3

*Social & Ethical Issues (if not already taken, SE) see offerings

 3

*Diversity & Culture (if not already taken, DC) see offerings

 3

Courses in minor or other program, or free electives see options 42
Total for third & fourth years   90 credit hrs
 Minimum total overall: 180

*Needed to fulfill A&S college requirements.

**Capstone courses that can be taken in the third or fourth year.