Degree Programs
Bachelor of Arts - Communication Arts
Concentration Requirements
Minor Requirements
- Optional Sports Communication Concentration
- Minors available in Business & Economics, English Language and Literature, Management & Organizational Behavior, Marketing, Psychology, or Sociology.
Mission Statement
The Communication Arts program is designed to prepare graduates for careers in advertising, electronic and print media, journalism, public relations, publishing, writing or other careers requiring sophisticated communications skills. Additionally, the program develops student’s critical and imaginative thinking, reading and writing skills to empower them to communicate ideas effectively, through speaking, writing and the use of technology. Graduates are well prepared for continued study in graduate or professional school.
The program is designed to serve those ranging from recent high school graduates to those that may have completed Associate Degrees. The classes will be delivered during the day and in evenings based upon need.
Degree Requirements
The course of study requires 120 semester hours minimum including 48-54 semester hours in general education. Students must complete at least 40 hours within the department with a grade of “C” or better.
Students will need to submit a portfolio of their work in advertising, journalism, multimedia, and public relations prior to graduation. In working with advisors, communication majors will be guided in the selection of courses both within and outside the department in order to plan a program of study tailored to their individual educational and career goals.
| Degree Summary | |
| Credit Hours | |
| Basic Skills | 12 |
| Common Core | 6 |
| Arts and Humanities | 12 |
| Natural Sciences | 9 |
| Social Sciences | 9 |
| Major Requirements | 40 |
| Other Electives | 32 |
| Total Hours | 120 |
Sports Communication Concentration Option
The Sports Communication Concentration will examine the impact that sports have on the fiber of American society. This concentration will help develop the basic writing, reporting, research, design, and production skills we teach to all Communications Arts majors, with a special emphasis on the exciting field of sports communications. This concentration could lead to careers such as sports information directors, sports front office administrator, and sports community relations directors. In addition to the courses normally required for the Communication Arts major, students must also complete:
- MGT-205 – Introduction To Sports Culture In America (3)
- COMM-264 – Sports Journalism (3)
- COMM-265 – Sports Broadcasting (3)
- COMM-297 – Internships In Sports And Leisure Communication (3)
Electives
- COMM-353 - Advanced Seminar in Writing, Editing, and Page Design for Publications (3)
- COMM-381 - Multimedia Production for the Web (3)
- COMM-386 - Media and Government (3)
- COMM-387 - The Literature of Journalism (3)
- COMM-390 - Images of Men and Women in Advertising (3)
Although minors are not required for graduation, there are many advantages to completing one. A minor area of study consists of courses specified by each department and thus are more in-depth then concentrations. A minor can potentially make a student more marketable in a competitive job market. Students who wish to declare a minor should work with their advisor.
Minor in Business and Economics
Only courses in which a student has received a “C” or better may be applied to the minor. Students are limited to one minor in the accounting, business and economics, economics, finance, international business and economics, management and organizational behavior, and marketing programs.
Students seeking a minor in business and economics must complete with a grade of “C” or better 21 semester hours which must include: ACCT-111, ACCT-112, ECON-C101, ECON-C102, and at least three 300-level courses in finance, international business and economics, management or marketing.
Students who earn a major in business and economics may not earn a minor in the undergraduate business department.
Minor in Management and Organizational
Behavior
Only courses in which a student has received a “C” or better may be applied to the minor. Students are limited to one minor in the accounting, business and economics, economics, finance, international business and economics, management and organizational behavior, and marketing programs.
Students seeking a minor in management and organizational behavior must complete with a grade of “C” or better 21 semester hours which must include: ECON-101, ECON-102, ACCT-111, MGT-300, and at least three unique 300-level courses in management.
A student who majors in management and organizational behavior may not earn a minor in the undergraduate business department.
Minor in Marketing
Only courses in which a student has received a “C” or better may be applied to the minor. Students are limited to one minor in the accounting, business and economics, economics, finance, international business and economics, management and organizational behavior, and marketing programs. Students seeking a minor in marketing must complete with a grade of “C” or better 21 semester hours, which must include: ECON-C101, ECON-C102, ACCT-111, MKTG-300, and at least three unique 300-level courses in marketing.
A student who majors in marketing may not earn a minor in the undergraduate business department.
Minor in English Language and Literature
A minor consists of at least 21 hours of courses with a grade of “C” or better, including LITR-100; one course from LITR-255, LITR-256, LITR-257 or LITR-258; and six credit hours at the 300-level.
Minor in Psychology
A minor in psychology consists of a program of courses totaling at least 21 hours with a grade of “C” or better, submitted to and approved by the department chair, including at least 12 hours at the 200 level or above, of which at least three hours must be at the 300-level. PSYC-150, PSYC-251 and PSYC-299 may not be included for the minor.
Minor in Sociology
A minor in sociology consists of a program of courses totaling at least 21 hours, submitted to and approved by the program director, including at least 12 hours of courses at the 200-level or above, of which at least three hours must be at the 300-level and must be completed with a “C” or better. PSYC-150, PSYC-251 and PSYC-299 may not be included for the minor.