College of Communication

640 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
617-353-3450
Fax: 617-353-3405
E-mail: com@bu.edu

Administration

Tobe Berkovitz, BFA, MA, PhD, Dean ad interim; Associate Professor of Communication

Christopher Cakebread, Acting Associate Dean, Assistant Professor of Communication

Micha Sabovik, BS, MS, Assistant Dean for Student Services

Lou Ureneck, BA, Chairman, Department of Journalism; Professor of Journalism

T. Barton Carter, BA, MS, JD, Chairman, Department of Mass Communication, Advertising, and Public Relations; Professor of Communication and Law

Robert C. Grimes, BA, Alumni Officer

Charles Merzbacher, BA, Chairman, Department of Film and Television; Associate Professor of Film

Thomas O. McLaughlin, BA, MEd, Assistant Director, Academic Services

Lauren Knoll, BA, Academic Advisor

William Taylor, BBA, MEd, Assistant Director, Graduate Services

Robyn Neeley, BS, Development Officer

Joyce Rogers, Career Services Specialist

Stephanie Trodello, BA, BS, MBA, Director, Development and Alumni Relations

Cecilia V. Lalama, BA, Academic Advisor

Ryan J. Thurston, BS, Manager, Student Services

Mission

The Boston University College of Communication (COM) is dedicated to the proposition that the free flow of ideas and accurate information is vital to the development and improvement of democratic societies. The College mission is to provide an educational center of excellence focused on teaching, research, and service in the study and professional practice of communication.

To accomplish its mission, the faculty and students maintain high standards of scholastic achievement and establish rigorous professional communication skill training to prepare students for successful careers. The College stresses:

1. A core liberal arts education that enables students to understand societies' diverse cultural foundations and stimulates a strong sense of social responsibility;
2. Critical thinking, creativity, and personal integrity;
3. Research, writing, oral presentation skills, and mastery of various mass communication media;
4. An understanding that learning is a lifelong pursuit.

The College includes three departments: Film and Television; Journalism; and Mass Communication, Advertising, and Public Relations. Each department offers professionally oriented programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The undergraduate program, leading to the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree, offers majors in film and television, journalism, and communication.

Graduate programs leading to the Master of Science degree are available in television, television management, broadcast journalism, business and economics journalism, journalism, mass communication, advertising, public relations, and science journalism. A Master of Fine Arts degree is awarded in film. Two dual degree programs are also available. A master's program in international relations and international communication is offered in cooperation with the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

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Intra-University Transfer Candidates

Students in good standing may transfer within the University from one School or College to another. Students are advised to check the transfer policy of the particular School or College of interest, as policies vary. Students should obtain an application from their proposed School or College and apply directly to the new program. The College of Communication requires a 3.0 cumulative average for transfer and mandates that intra-University transfers will have taken and completed at least one writing course (COM CO 201) and have earned a grade point average of B or better in all writing and communication courses. All accepted students are expected to be in residence on campus during their first full semester in COM. These requirements are non-negotiable.

Applications are submitted early in the semester prior to transfer. Applications for admission may be made no later than the deadline set during the first semester of the junior year. Information on the transfer procedure is obtained from the COM Office of Student Services, Room 123, or at Undergraduate Student Services.

Boston University Collaborative Degree Program (BUCOP)

Students wishing to pursue dual bachelor's degrees may enroll simultaneously in the College of Communication and another undergraduate School or College of Boston University through the Boston University Collaborative Degree Program (BUCOP). Applications for admission may be made no later than the beginning semester of the junior year. Students must have the required 3.0 GPA when applying. A grade of "B" or better is required in COM CO 201 prior to application. COM CO 201 may only be taken once if a student is attempting to enroll in the BUCOP program. Applications are not accepted during the freshman year. If admitted, students must satisfy all requirements for both degrees, be enrolled in the BUCOP program for at least three semesters, and complete no fewer than 144 credits. Further information about opportunities in BUCOP is available at the Office of Student Services, Room 123.

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Policies and Procedures

Degree Requirements

In reckoning requirements for the degree, the unit is the semester course. A total of 32 courses and 124–128 semester credit hours (excluding certain 1- or 2-credit courses such as Physical Education, Officer Training Program, and courses at the College of Fine Arts or School of Hospitality Administration) are required for the degree. No more than 16 credits completed with the grade of D may be accepted for the degree. Students who have met the major requirements are still required to complete 124–128 credits and 32 courses.

Degrees must be completed within seven years after a student first matriculates, whether at Boston University or at another accredited university.

Residency Requirement

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Communication must meet a minimum of 48 semester hours in residence in a Boston University program. Transfer students are not exempt from this residence requirement. It should be noted that Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance; Officer Training Program; and certain other 1- and 2-credit courses will not count towards the 48-credit-hour requirement.

Computer Requirement

It is not required that students have their own personal computers on campus; there are computer labs available in the College and at other campus locations. There are various free computer-training courses offered on campus by the Office of Information Technology and there is a Personal Computing Support Center to assist students; the College offers a brief computer-training program (including e-mail and news groups) during the summer and fall on-campus freshman orientation sessions. Freshmen are required to have a free University computer network account, as COM CO 101 The World of Communication class assignments and other course information are exchanged via e-mail and electronic news groups. Students can bring either Windows-compatible or Mac computers to campus; both types of computers are used in the College.

Language Requirement

Undergraduate students are required to have at least one year of proficiency in a foreign language. Students who score 560 or higher on the College Entrance Examination Board language achievement test, score a 3 or higher on either the foreign language or literature Advanced Placement exam, or who place into the third semester or higher on the Boston University placement exam, are exempt from the College of Communication language requirement and will replace this requirement with electives. These students are encouraged, however, to continue in advanced courses. All other students are responsible for completing language coursework at the appropriate level.

Scholastic and Graduation Information

It is the responsibility of all students at the College of Communication to be aware of the graduation and academic requirements listed in the College of Communication Bulletin. Copies are available at COM Student Services. Graduation requirements are further detailed in curriculum planning guides available at each COM department. Students are responsible for knowing the graduation requirements for their programs and their own status regarding fulfillment of these requirements.

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Academic Load

A typical academic load in the College of Communication is four courses (16 credits) per semester, although a student may take up to 18 credits. There are a number of 1-credit and 2-credit PDP/CFA elective courses at Boston University that are available to COM students. These courses usually cannot be counted toward fulfillment of COM degree requirements and should be approved by an academic advisor in advance. A student must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 for approval to carry five courses (20 credits). Sophomore and junior students with a cumulative average above 3.3 may carry 20 credits at no extra charge. Seniors may carry 20 credits at no extra charge. Freshmen may not carry more than 18 credits either semester.

Academic Probation

An overall grade point average of 2.0, and 2.3 for communication courses, is necessary for graduation. A student whose grade point index falls below 2.3 for the semester will be placed on academic probation. To be removed from probation, the student must attain a grade point index of 2.3 or higher in the following semester, while carrying at least a full-time course load. Students are required to meet with a Student Services advisor during the probationary period. A student who fails to achieve this grade point index, or any other probation requirement, may be notified that he or she cannot continue at COM.

Incomplete Coursework

The student receives an incomplete grade if, after instructor and student have conferred, the student has presented a sufficient reason why coursework cannot be completed on schedule and the instructor has assigned a date within the succeeding twelve months by which all course requirements must be completed. The student receives an I grade. In the event that coursework remains incomplete on the assigned date or twelve months after the I grade has been awarded, whichever comes first, the I grade will be changed automatically and permanently to an F grade. A contract for completion must be filled out and signed by both the professor and the student.

Honors

Graduating seniors in each School and College will be ranked into Latin honors categories by percentage:

5% will be awarded summa cum laude

10% magna cum laude

15% cum laude

Among graduating seniors in each School or College, the top five percent will be awarded degrees summa cum laude, the next ten percent will be awarded degrees magna cum laude, and the next fifteen percent will be awarded degrees cum laude. "Break points," which are the grade point averages (GPA) corresponding to each of these categories, will be determined for each graduating class in each School or College at the end of the seventh (penultimate) semester by applying these percentile ranges to the list of eligible graduates arranged in order of GPA. Students falling in the designated percentile ranges on the basis of their GPAs after seven semesters will be certified for degrees with the corresponding Latin honors. Students, who, by virtue of strong academic performances during their final semester, advance their GPA beyond a break point, will be awarded degrees with the correspondingly higher Latin honor. Students whose academic performances during the final semester cause their GPA to fall below a break point will retain the Latin honors as originally determined after seven semesters. In no case will students be awarded Latin honors for grade point averages below 3.0.

Application for Degree

An Application for Graduation must be filed twelve months before the expected graduation date. The form is available at Student Services in COM Room 123. The application for graduation must be completed by the student and signed by an academic advisor.

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Student Affairs

Intellectual, personal, and professional development are the primary concerns of the College, its faculty, and its staff. Academic, personal, and career counselors are available to help students make full use of the opportunities and adjust to the challenges of college.

Student Services

The Office of Student Services, directed by the Assistant Dean, provides academic advice, career information, and personal counseling referrals for undergraduates. Academic advice is provided through appointments, summer and fall orientation, registration information meetings, and seminars, as well as through printed instruction guides.

The office also operates the Peer Advising program in which mature upperclassmen are trained to assist freshmen. Other volunteer leadership programs include Champions, COM Student Assembly, and Dean's Hosts. Special student events focused for freshmen and offered throughout the year involve students in seminars, workshops, and professional experiences to expand their knowledge.

The Sophomore Series Program is designed for second-year students for the purpose of enhancing the major declaration process. Through a series of seminars and informal workshops, students learn about internship opportunities, faculty advising, and alumni mentoring.

Students can meet with an academic advisor by going to the Office of Student Services or calling 617-353-3471 (if out of state, 1-800-992-6514) to make an appointment. Freshmen and sophomores are also encouraged to talk with the COM faculty.

While the College has a wide variety of advisors and services, it is the responsibility of the student to take advantage of them. Students are expected to use e-mail for correspondence, to subscribe to COM electronic bulletin boards and newsgroups, to attend meetings, to read the weekly COM Newsletter, and, if problems arise, to seek assistance at the Office of Student Services before such problems interfere with academic performance.

College is a major undertaking that affects the entire family. The Office of Student Services staff conducts seminars for parents that explain the challenges of college and the changes it will bring, and discusses with them their role in their son's or daughter's college education. These seminars are conducted throughout the summer during Summer Orientation/Registration and at Fall Parents Weekend. Parents are encouraged to become involved and to work with the Office of Student Services if and when problems arise.

Academic Advising

Freshmen and sophomores receive academic advising from the Office of Student Services. As students prepare to enter their junior year, they declare their major and are then assigned faculty advisors in their chosen department. Students and faculty meet to choose courses that fulfill requirements in their major area or in a concentration. These meetings also provide opportunities to discuss the ways in which courses relate to programs and to careers.

Study Abroad

Students are taking increasing advantage of Boston University's study abroad programs, as well as other similar domestic programs. To participate in any of these programs, a student must obtain approval from an advisor in the Office of Student Services, meet the required grade point average of 3.0 both in COM and overall, and have attained junior standing. Approved and accepted students may enroll in cultural/language programs beginning the first semester of their junior year and in internship programs as of the second semester of their junior year. However, transfer students to the College of Communication may not participate in study abroad programs (including Washington, D.C., or Los Angeles, CA) during their first semester in COM. COM has strict requirements for BU and non-BU study abroad programs. Please obtain the Study Abroad Fact Sheet from Student Services, College of Communication, 640 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 123 or online at Office of Student Services.

Career Counseling and Placement

COM's Career Services helps undergraduate, graduate students, and alumni explore their goals and implement effective internships and job searches. The office provides current listings of job openings in communication industries through the COM Career Services website at COM Office of Career Services.

Relevant seminars are offered throughout the school year. Résumé critiquing is available during predetermined walk-in hours. Individual counseling for setting goals and developing job-search strategies and job-hunting techniques is available to students and alumni by appointment only. The career services specialist can be reached at 617-353-3490.

Division of External Programs

The Division of External Programs meets the educational and training needs of individuals, corporations, and organizations in all areas of communication. Because of its flexibility, External Programs can meet the needs of outside groups in a timely, on-demand basis. Workshops, short courses, seminars, and conferences have been held on such topics as media training, advanced public relations practices, corporate video, women in communication management, writing for publication, computer communication, and film and psychology. External Programs also sponsors the summer Institute for Television, Film, and Radio Production (ITRP) for high school students, and many specialized programs for international students either on campus or abroad.

Corporations have worked with the Division of External Programs to train their employees in writing, public relations, marketing, public appearances, and nonbroadcast video. Executive training programs have been organized for public utilities, agencies, and professional associations. External Programs maintains affiliations with professional organizations in the communication fields and has jointly sponsored programs with the New England Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, the Boston Ad Club, the International Television Association, and the New England Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Organizations with communication interests and concerns should contact the Division of External Programs at 617-353-5015 to discuss programs specially designed to meet their needs.

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Student Activities, Groups, and Programs

COM Student Assembly (Group)

The Student Assembly promotes the educational and social interests of COM students and ensures the efficiency and continuity of student activities. It promotes cooperation among students, faculty, and administration, serving as a communication channel for the flow of student opinion and administrative policy.

COMSA is composed of elected representatives of departments and classes within the College.

Peer Advising (Program)

To help freshmen adjust to their new environment, COM provides Peer Advising—a comprehensive program of academic support, community building, and guided exploration of the campus and the city. Orientation begins in the summer before freshman year commences, and continues throughout the entire year. Each freshman is assigned to a group of approximately a dozen students led by a Peer Advisor, who are COM sophomores, juniors, and seniors committed to building a "family" atmosphere at Boston University. We provide a variety of academic activities (study sessions, paper editing, etc.), social events (harbor cruises, Red Sox game, etc.), and personal mentoring to integrate freshmen into the COM community.

Dean's Hosts

By providing daily tours and information sessions, the Dean's Hosts program gives prospective students, parents, and other visitors the opportunity to experience all that the College of Communication has to offer. Additionally, Dean's Hosts facilitate Open House events for admitted freshmen and other special events for COM. Students must apply to participate in the Dean's Hosts program.

WTBU

WTBU is Boston University's student radio station since 1965. Located on the third floor of the College of Communication building, the station is entirely student staffed and managed. WTBU acts simultaneously both as a fully operational radio station serving the student community and as an excellent training platform for students wishing to go into professional radio. WTBU offers students opportunities to assist in all aspects of running a commercial radio station, including public service, promotions, engineering, sales, management, and on-air work. With live music, news, and sports broadcasted 24 hours a day, WTBU can be heard in select dormitories at 89.3 fm and 640 am, as well as around the world at WTBU.

Daily Free Press

The Daily Free Press is a student-run newspaper serving the Boston University community that is published every school weekday of the semester with a circulation of 12,000 papers. Professionals recognize the DFP as one of the premier college dailies in the United States, providing a springboard for many successful journalists and photojournalists.

As a daily college paper with a modern newsroom and production facilities, the DFP serves as an excellent training ground for aspiring reporters, photographers, art designers, business and advertising personnel, and all who are looking to apply their classroom knowledge to a real-world setting. The Free Press is open to all Boston University full-time students interested in the newspaper business. It is an excellent way for students to build their clips and photo portfolios.

Visit The Daily Free Press.

Champions

Champions is a community service organization run through the College of Communication, but it is open to all Boston University students. These student volunteers coordinate charitable events in COM, as well as throughout all of Boston. Clothing and food collections, blood drives, and community outreach are organized and publicized by the Champions Advisory Board and Student Services.

Edward L. Bernays Chapter, Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)

PRSSA was established in 1968 by the Public Relations Society of America. It provides an opportunity for students and professional public relations practitioners to meet and exchange views on issues of current concern in areas of public relations practice. Meetings with the New England Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and special student programs highlight PRSSA activities. Membership is open to all students majoring in public relations who meet the grade requirements in public relations courses. Members who graduate in good standing are eligible for preassociate membership in the Public Relations Society of America.

Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)

The Society of Professional Journalists is the largest and oldest journalism organization in the country. Membership includes more than 35,000 men and women from photo, print, and broadcast journalism.

As one of 300 campus chapters, the Boston University chapter works to support First Amendment rights and the Freedom of Information Act; sponsors guest speakers from print, broadcast, and photojournalistic media; and maintains contact with members of the local professional chapter of SPJ.

National Press Photographers Association (NPPA)

Photojournalism students are encouraged to become members of the National Press Photographers Association, a professional group comprising more than 10,000 people nationally. Boston University's active student chapter promotes professional workshops, has many guest speakers, sponsors field trips, and regularly schedules portfolio reviews and critiques by area professionals.

Alpha Epsilon Rho (AERho)

Alpha Epsilon Rho is the national honorary/professional association for broadcasters. The Boston University chapter sponsors various activities which provide opportunities for students to meet professionals from the world of broadcasting.

Each year the chapter also sponsors a competition for student video productions. Winners are given recognition at an awards program held in the spring.

Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA)

Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) is the leading and largest national organization for broadcast journalists. The Boston University chapter sponsors professional development workshops with top radio and television journalists, participates in regional and national RTNDA conferences, offers career networking opportunities, and assists in career placement.

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Published by Trustees of Boston University
One Sherborn Street
Boston, MA 02215

22 October 2007
Boston University
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