Undergraduate Curricula

Freshman–Sophomore Curriculum

(Foundation Coursework)

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

A variety of other communications courses, designated by the appropriate department, may be taken sophomore year.

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

Students take four English literature and composition courses; two history courses; two math/science courses (including one statistics course); two language courses; two courses in the social sciences; one philosophy course; and one liberal arts elective. The College of Communication is unique in requiring a philosophy course; its administration and faculty feel that, in a digital 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 pursue 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.