This program examines human communication using both humanistic and social scientific methods. Fields of study include speechmaking, rhetorical criticism, ethics, interpersonal, small group, organizational, intercultural, and electronic (broadcasting, cable, satellite, Internet) forms of communication.
The Department of Communication Studies offers a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, a Minor in Communication Studies, and a concentration in Communication Studies for students in Individual Degree Programs such as IDIM, BIS, and ICP.
This section outlines the basic procedures for applying for major status and completing the Communication Studies major requirements. This website contains the most up to date information regarding the Communication Studies Major Program. All students are responsible for information regarding their overall degree program as explained in the CLA Undergraduate Bulletin. The next sections outline the following:
The following is a suggested course of action for students considering or committing to a degree in Communication Studies. For any questions or concerns please contact Professor Ron Greene, Director of Undergraduate Studies (green179@umn.edu) or a member of the undergraduate advising staff.
Undergraduate Advising Office
274 Ford Hall
(612) 624-7036
commadv@umn.edu
Step One: Declare a major in Communication Studies and file it with the college.
Students seeking to declare a major must first meet with a communication studies adviser in 274 Ford Hall. Students are strongly encouraged to declare their major during the first or second year.
Students must then bring An electronic copy of the major program form will then be sent to a student’s college advising office, which is most often the CLA Communications and Media Student Community, B-16 Johnston Hall, (612) 624-1820.
Step Two: Complete the required course requirements.
There are two foundational, required courses (six credits) which consist of:
Note: Students must earn a "C-" or better in all major courses in order to complete in the major program. University policy states that a "D" cannot be applied as credit toward the major.
The following section outlines the entire major program:
Students must complete 120 credits to graduate, including at least 34 credits in the major. Major requirements include the following:
The required senior paper typically will be written during enrollment in a 4xxx- or 5xxx-level communication studies course; however, on occasion it may be possible to write a senior paper in a 3xxx-level communication studies course if the course is taught by a professor and if s/he invites students to write their senior papers in the course.Either way,Comm 3995W, an S/N-only senior paper credit, must be taken during the same semester in which the senior paper is written. Comm 3995W fulfills one of CLA's upper-division writing-intensive requirements.
Please select from among the following electives not already used to fulfill one of the above requirements:
| 3110 | 3441 | 4235 | 5261 |
| 3190H | 3451W | 4245 | 5271 |
| 3201 | 3452W | 4263 | 5401 |
| 3202 | 3601 | 4291 | 5402 |
| 3204 | 3605W | 4404 | 5404 |
| 3211 | 3615 | 4407 | 5406 |
| 3231 | 3625 | 4452W | 5408 |
| 3263 | 3631 | 4471 | 5411 |
| 3401 | 3635w | 4602W | 5421 |
| 3402 | 3645w | 4616 | 5431 |
| 3404 | 3676W | 4621W | 5441 |
| 3405 | 3682W | 5110 | 5451W |
| 3406 | 3970 | 5211 | 5461 |
| 3409 | 3980 | 5210 | 5611 |
| 3411 | 3990 | 5220 | 5615W |
| 3422 | 4221 | 5221 | 5617 |
| 3431 | 4231 | 5233W | 5618 |
All students must complete at least 18 credits in the minor. Minor requirements include the following:
| 4221 | 4602W | 5261 | 5441 |
| 4231 | 4616 | 5401 | 5451 |
| 4235 | 4621W | 5402 | 5461 |
| 4263 | 5110 | 5404 | 5462 |
| 4291 | 5210 | 5406 | 5611 |
| 4404 | 5220 | 5408 | 5615 |
| 4407 | 5221 | 5411 | 5617 |
| 4452 | 5233W | 5421 | 5618 |
| 4471 | 5271 | 5431 |
| 3110 | 3452W | 4263 | 5401 |
| 3190H | 3601 | 4291 | 5402 |
| 3201 | 3605W | 4404 | 5404 |
| 3204 | 3615 | 4407 | 5406 |
| 3211 | 3625 | 4452W | 5408 |
| 3401 | 3631 | 4471 | 5411 |
| 3404 | 3676W | 4602W | 5421 |
| 3405 | 3682W | 4616 | 5431 |
| 3406 | 3970 | 4621W | 5441 |
| 3409 | 3980 | 5110 | 5451W |
| 3411 | 3990 | 5210 | 5461 |
| 3422 | 4221 | 5220 | 5611 |
| 3431 | 4231 | 5221 | 5615W |
| 3441 | 4235 | 5233W | 5617 |
| 3451W | 4245 | 5261 | 5618 |
The Communication Studies Component of individually designed programs (BIS, IDIM, ICP) must be planned in conjunction with and approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Communication Studies. Students doing individually designed programs should contact the department early in the planning process.
At least four (4) prerequisite courses are required for inclusion of Communication Studies in an individually designed major:
Additional courses are planned in conjunction with the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA with passing grades ("C-" or better) to successfully complete the Communication Studies portion of the individually designed major. Additionally, if students wish to complete a senior paper within the Communication Studies component, they mush also complete Comm 3995, a one-credit course designed to support completion of the senior paper. Comm 3995 must be taken in conjunction with a 4xxx or 5xxx level Communication Studies course.