The B.F.A. with a major in Communication prepares students for a wide variety of professional careers. Through the study of the theory and practice of communication, students in the Communication major gain expertise in the skills most valued in the 21st-century workplace.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers conducts an annual survey, asking employers to identify the top skills they seek in college graduates. Of the top ten skills identified, nine of them are directly related to courses taught in the B.F.A. Communication major. Similarly, for over four decades, the Fortune 500's list of most valued skills has been dominated by those taught in the Communication major.

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Course Rotation

University Core (Areas A to E) .....................42 hours

Core Curriculum Area F........................................18 hours

  • COMM 1110   Public Speaking (3-0-3) or COMM 1100 if not taken in Area C
  • COMM 1500   Introduction to Communication Studies (3-0-3)
  • COMM 1800   Communication Technology (2-2-3)
  • COMM 2100   Communication Theory (3-0-3)
  • COMM 2300   Interpersonal Communication (3-0-3)
  • COMM 2500   Communication, Culture, and Community (3-0-3)

Communication Core............................................30 hours

Communication and Values

  • COMM 3011   Argumentation and Advocacy (3-0-3)
  • COMM 3021   Persuasion (3-0-3)
  • COMM 3031   Communication Law and Ethics (3-0-3)

Workplace Skills   

  • COMM 3311   Teams and Leadership (2-2-3)
  • COMM 3321   Conflict Management (3-0-3)
  • COMM 3331   Creativity and Communication Design (2-2-3)

Communication Analysis

  • COMM 3111   Applied Communication Research (3-0-3)
  • COMM 3112   Data Analytics (3-0-3)

Social Media Applications                 

  • COMM 3411   Visual Communication and Aesthetics (3-0-3)
  • COMM 3421   Social Media Strategies (3-0-3)

Emphasis (Select one area)................................. 12 hours

Interpersonal Communication Emphasis

    • COMM 4401   Advanced Interpersonal Communication (3-0-3)
    • COMM 4461   Interpersonal Communication Capstone (3-0-3)                    

Select one of the following:

    • COMM 4421   Nonverbal Communication (3-0-3)
    • COMM 4431   Interviewing and Listening (3-0-3)

Select one of the following:

    • COMM 3231   Health Communication (3-0-3)
    • COMM 4441   Communication across Difference (3-0-3)

 Organizational Communication Emphasis

    • COMM 4501   Organizational Communication (3-0-3)
    • COMM 4511   Professional Communication (3-0-3)
    • COMM 4561   Organizational Communication Capstone (3-0-3)

Select one of the following:

    • COMM 4521   Crisis Communication and Negotiation (3-0-3)
    • COMM 4531   Communicating Globally (3-0-3)

Total Hours in Major..............................................60 hours

Elective Hours....................................................... 18 hours

Total Hours in Program........................................120 hours