Undergraduate Curricula

Freshman–Sophomore Curriculum

During their first semester, communication students take three liberal arts courses and COM CO 101, The World of Communication, the core communication course. In subsequent semesters of the first two years, course requirements allow for limited flexibility while ensuring that some depth of knowledge is achieved. Students should become familiar with the requirements and give careful thought to the choices they make.

The required courses for all COM freshman and sophomore students are as follows:
COM CO 101 The World of Communication
COM CO 201 Introduction to Communication Writing

(College of General Studies students must take the course in their sophomore year.)

A variety of other communications courses, designated by the appropriate department, may be taken in the freshman and sophomore years.

In a normal undergraduate program of 
32 courses, totaling 124–128 credit hours, students take a maximum of 15 professional courses and a minimum of 17 liberal arts courses unless otherwise specified by an individual department.

Students take four English literature and composition courses; two history courses, one multicultural studies course; two math/science courses; two language courses; two courses in the social sciences; and one philosophy course. The College of Communication is unique in requiring a philosophy course; its administration and faculty feel that, in an information age, communication students must have an awareness of ethics, logic, and reasoning. The precise curriculum requirements are available in the Student Services office, Room 123, at the College of Communication, or on the Student Services website.

Junior–Senior Curriculum

For the last two years of undergraduate study, students choose a major within one of the College’s departments. The program of study in each department includes professionally oriented courses as well as liberal arts courses. These courses are specified in the program section for each department.