Skip Navigation
*To search for student contact information, login to FlashLine and choose the "Directory" icon in the FlashLine masthead (blue bar).

Communication Studies - B.A. Program Requirements PDFDownload to print

Type Legend: DD Diversity–Domestic; DG Diversity–Global; ELR Experiential Learning; KAD Kent Core Additional; KBS Kent Core Basic Sciences; KCM Kent Core Composition; KFA Kent Core Fine Arts: KHU Kent Core Humanities; KMC Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning; KSS Kent Core Social Sciences; WIC Writing Intensive

Please read the sections in the University Catalog on Kent Core, diversity, writing-intensive and the experiential learning requirements.

I. DESTINATION KENT STATE: FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE  (1 credit)
Type
Course Title Credits
  US 10097 Destination Kent State: First Year Experience 1
II. MAJOR PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (6 credits)  Courses count in major GPA 
Type Course Title Credits
  COMM 20000 Foundations of Communication * 3
  Choose from the following: 3
KHU
DD
COMM 26000 Criticism of Public Discourse (3) **  
DG   35852 Intercultural Communication (3) ***  
DD   35912 Gender and Communication (3)  
III. ADDITIONAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (55-75 credits)  
Type Course Title Credits
KSS
DD
JMC

 
20001

20003
Media, Power and Culture **** +
or

Introduction to Mass Communication +
3
  LIS 30010 Information Fluency in the Workplace and Beyond + 3
  VCD 14001 Visual Design Literacy + 3
  Kent Core Composition 6
  Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning 3-5
  Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each) ** 6-9
  Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines) **** 3-6
   Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory) 6-7
   Kent Core Additional 3
  General Electives (minimum 12 credits upper-division hours)++ 16-39
IV. CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS (39-59 credits) 
  Applied Communication (42)
  Global Communication (59)
  Health Communication (39)
   Interpersonal Communication (39)
  Organizational Communication (39)
  Public Communication (39)
MINIMUM TOTAL  121


* A minimum C (2.000) grade must be earned.Students must successfully complete a grammar competency requirement within the first 20 credits of the major and before enrolling in the required writing-intensive course associated with the major. Students will be provided one opportunity to fulfill this major requirement while enrolled in COMM 20000 Foundations of Communication. Students who do not earn a score of 680 or better on this test-out opportunity in COMM 20000 must complete COMM 21000 Grammar Review (1 credit), earning a C or better in the course in order to fulfill this grammar requirement.

** Students selecting option COMM 26000 will satisfy 3 of the required 9 credits of Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts.

*** Students in the Global Communication concentration are required to take COMM 35852.

**** Students selecting option JMC 20001 will satisfy 3 of the required 6 credits of Kent Core Social Sciences.

+ JMC 20001 (or JMC 20003), LIS 30010 and VCD 14001 count in the major GPA for the Applied Communication and Global Communication concentrations.

++Any COMM course taken is calculated in the major GPA. For the Applied Communication and Global Communication the following subjects are calculated in the major GPA: CCI, COMM, IAKM, JMC, LIS and VCD.

Note:    The School of Communication Studies generally will approve dual concentrations for Communication studies students as long as there are at least 12 hours of coursework in the concentration elective courses exclusively applied to each concentration (resulting in a total of 24 hours of unique concentration electives across the two concentrations). Students must also complete all of the other concentration requirements specific to each concentration, in addition to differentiating their major elective courses across the two concentrations. If one of the dual concentration choices is either the applied or the global communication concentration, students may select courses from across the College of Communication and Information in their elective choices for completing that part of the dual concentration. Any other duplicative course requirements for the two concentrations beyond the requirements specified above may be double counted when completing a dual concentration option.

Students electing a dual concentration must meet with an advisor to plan an individualized plan of study that meets these requirements before the dual concentration option will be approved for that student. Any changes made to the program of study also must be approved by an advisor, or the student may not be allowed to graduate with this option.

 

 

 

Applied Communication Concentration

For semester-by-semester course sequencing for this program, view the 2012-2013 Roadmap.
 

I. CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS (39 credits) Courses count in major GPA
Type Course Title Credits
KAD COMM 15000 Introduction to Human Communication  3
    25902 Communication Theory 3
    30000 Communication Research Methods 3
 WIC    35864 Organizational Communication * 3
    45807 High Impact of Professional Speaking 3
ELR   46092 Practicum in Applied Communication * 3
  JMC 20005 Fundamentals of Media Messages 3
  VCD 37000 Visual Design for Media: Advanced 3
  COMM Concentration Electives**
15
I. ADDITIONAL CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS  (3 credits)
  Choose from the following: 3
  ENG 20002 Introduction to Technical Writing (3)  
    30062 Principles of Technical Writing (3)  
    30063 Business and Professional Writing (3)  
MINIMUM SUBTOTAL 42


* A minimum C (2.000) grade must be earned in COMM 35864 and 46092, the former to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

** Must be from the College of Communication and Information; minimum 6 credit hours must have course subject JMC and/or VCD; and 9 credit hours must be upper-division. May include maximum 6 credit hours combined from COMM 45092, 45093, 45095, 45196 and 46092.

 

 

Global Communication Concentration

For semester-by-semester course sequencing for this program, view the 2012-2013 Roadmap.
 

I. CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS (27 credits) Courses count in major GPA
Type Course Title Credits
ELR COMM 46091 Senior Seminar * 3
  JMC 40009 Comparative Media Systems 3
  Choose from the following: 3
 WIC COMM 35864 Organizational Communication (3) **  
 WIC   40001 Advanced Interpersonal Communication (3) **  
WIC   45902 Communication and Influence (3) **  
  Choose from the following (12 credits must be upper division): 18
  COMM 25902 Communication Theory (3)  
    26000 Criticism of Public Discourse (3)  
 WIC   35864 Organizational Communication (3) **  
    35912 Gender and Communication (3)  
    36505 Communication, Aging and Culture (3)  
 WIC   40001 Advanced Interpersonal Communication (3) **  
    42000 Media, War and Propaganda (3)  
    43000 Communication Technology and Human Interaction (3)  
    45459 Communication and Conflict (3)  
WIC   45902 Communication and Influence (3) **  
    45957 Language, Meaning and Cognition (3)  
  JMC 12001 Elementary Photography (3)  
    20005 Fundamentals of Media Messages (3)  
    20006 Multimedia Techniques (3)  
    20008 Audience Analysis and Research (3)  
    21001 Principles of Advertising (3)  
    22000 Photography Basics (1)  
    22001 Photography (3)  
    22002 Videography Basics (1)  
    22003 Videography Basics II (1)  
    28001 Principles of Public Relations (3)  
    30034 Programming for Electronic Media (3)  
    33024 Performance for Electronic Media(3)  
    40004 Computer Assisted Reporting (3)  
    40022 Film as Communication (3)  
    40035 Television Graphics (3)  
    40036 Non-linear Video Editing (3)  
  VCD 14002 Communicating with Color (3)  
    17000 Color: Theory and Application (3)  
    20010 Introduction to Design Research (3)  
    37000 Visual Design for Media: Advanced (3)  
 WIC   45000 Graphic Design Perspectives (3)  
II. ADDITIONAL CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS (32 credits)
Type Course Title Credits
  Foreign Language Requirement *** 14
  Kent Core Additional 3
  Approved Study Away Experience (credits awarded under other categories) ****  
  Global Perspective/Cultural Awareness Electives, choose from the following (6 credits must be upper division)+: 15
DG Any approved Diversity course with Global Focus or choose from the list below:
visit the global diversity courses in this catalog for the full list, COMM 35852 will not fulfill this requirement
 
  BUS 30234 International Business (3)  
  ECON 32075 Introduction to International Trade (3)  
    42075 International Economic Relations (3)  
  ENG 31006 World Englishes (3)  
    33013 Pan-African Women's Literature (3)  
    33015 African Literature (3)  
  FIN 46064 International Business Finance (3)  
  HIST 31024 World War II (3)  
    31112 Chinese Civilization (3)  
    31125 Zionism and Israel (3)  
    31126 History of the Middle East  
    31128 Late Medieval and Modern Jewish History (3)  
    31130 History of African Civilization (3)  
    31141 Early Latin American (3)  
    41020 19th Century Europe (3)  
    41024 Modern European History, 1914-1945 (3)  
    41025 Modern European History, 1945-Present (3)  
    41041 History of Germany, 1817-Present (3)  
    41044 Imperial Russia, 1689-1917 (3)  
    41045 Modern Russia, 1917-Present (3)  
    41112 History of Modern China (3)  
    41116 History of Japan (3)  
    41132 History of Africa, 1880-Present (3)  
    41135 History of West Africa (3)  
WIC   42297 Colloquium: China and Japan (3) **  
  JUS 33400 Crime and Justice in Popular Culture (3)  
    47311 Comparative Justice Systems (3)  
  MCLS 30420 Foreign Languages and Culture Studies (3)  
  MKTG 45060 International Marketing (3)  
  PAS 32050 African Literature (3)  
    37100 Pan-African Women's Literature (3)  
  PH 10002 Introduction to Global Health (3)  
  POL 30500 International Relations Theory (3)  
    30501 Comparative Theory and Concepts (3)  
    30511 Problems of International Organization (3)  
    30520 European Politics (3)  
    30551 U.S. - Latin American Relations (3)  
    30810 Politics of the Global Economy (3)  
    30820 International Organization and Law (3)  
    30840 Nongovernmental Organization (3)  
    40530 Politics of War (3)  
    40810 Government - Business Relations (3)  
    40830 U.S. Foreign Policy (3)  
    40840 Comparative Foreign Policy (3)  
    40920 Politics of Social Movements (3)  
  RPTM 26060 Introduction to Global Tourism (3)  
  SPAD 45024 Sports in Global Perspective (3)  
MINIMUM SUBTOTAL 59


*  A minimum grade of C (2.000) is required in COMM 46091.

**  A minimum C (2.000) grade must be earned in one of the designated courses to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

***  Foreign Language Requirement: the 14 credit hour foreign language requirement equals three to four semesters, depending on the language selected. The 14 hours must be in one language and it must be a living, spoken language. Students may instead demonstrate an equivalent level of proficiency. Students with foreign language experience should consult with the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies for appropriate placement. Students are required to begin meeting the foreign language requirement by their third semester of full-time enrollment (that is, no later than upon completing 30 semester hours) and are required to continue to enroll for foreign language courses until the requirement has been completed.

**** Study Away Experience: Students are required to complete an approved study away experience, ranging from one week to a full semester. The College of Communication and Information is committed to assisting students with financial support for the study away experience. The study away experience is waived for international students.

+ May include maximum 6 credit hours combined from COMM 45092, 45093, 45095, 45196 and 46092.

 

 

Health Communication Concentration

For semester-by-semester course sequencing for this program, view the 2012-2013 Roadmap.
 

I. CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS (39 credits) Courses count in major GPA
Type Course Title Credits
KAD COMM 15000 Introduction to Human Communication  3
    25902 Communication Theory 3
    26501 Introduction to Health Communication 3
    30000 Communication Research Methods 3
 WIC    45902 Communication and Influence * 3
 ELR   46091 Senior Seminar * 3
  COMM Concentration Electives ** 12
  Choose from the following: 9
  COMM 36501 Communication Health Care (3)  
    36505 Communication, Aging and Culture (3)  
    46503 Health Communication and Media (3)  
    46507 Everyday Interpersonal Communication and Health (3)  
MINIMUM SUBTOTAL 39


* A minimum C (2.000) grade must be earned in COMM 45902 to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

** Of the 12 credit hours required for concentration electives, 9-12 credits must be upper-division. Maximum 6 credits hours combined from COMM 45092 and 45196.

 

 

Interpersonal Communication Concentration

For semester-by-semester course sequencing for this program, view the 2012-2013 Roadmap.
 

I. CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS (39 credits) Courses count in major GPA
Type Course Title Credits
KAD COMM 15000 Introduction to Human Communication  3
    20001 Interpersonal Communication 3
    25902 Communication Theory 3
    30000 Communication Research Methods 3
 WIC   40001 Advanced Interpersonal Communication * 3
 ELR   46091 Senior Seminar * 3
  COMM Concentration Electives** 12
  Choose from the following: 9
  COMM 35600 Communication in Small Groups and Teams (3)  
    36505 Communication, Aging and Culture (3)  
    45957 Language, Meaning and Cognition (3)  
    45959 Nonverbal Communication (3)  
    46601 Relational Communication (3)  
    46605 Communication Across the Life Span (3)  
    46608 Family Communication (3)  
MINIMUM SUBTOTAL 39


* A minimum C (2.000) grade must be earned in COMM 40001 and 46091, the former to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

** Of the 12 credit hours required for concentration elective courses, 9-12 credits must be upper-division. Maximum 6 credit hours combined from COMM 45092  and 45196.

 

 

Organizational Communication Concentration

For semester-by-semester course sequencing for this program, view the 2012-2013 Roadmap.

 

I. CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS (39 credits) Courses count in major GPA
Type Course Title Credits
KAD COMM 15000 Introduction to Human Communication  3
  COMM 25863 Business and Professional Communication 3
    25902 Communication Theory 3
    30000 Communication Research Methods 3
    35600 Communication in Small Groups and Teams 3
 WIC    35864 Organizational Communication * 3
    45865 Organization Communication Training and Development 3
 ELR   46091 Senior Seminar * 3
  COMM Concentration Electives ** 15
MINIMUM SUBTOTAL 39


* A minimum C (2.000) grade must be earned in COMM 35864 and 46091, the former to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

** Of the 15 credit hours required for concentration electives, 12 credits must be upper-division. Maximum 6 credits hours combined from COMM 45092 and 45196.

 

 

Public Communication Concentration

For semester-by-semester course sequencing for this program, view the 2012-2013 Roadmap.
 

I. CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS (39 credits) Courses count in major GPA
Type Course Title Credits
KAD COMM 15000 Introduction to Human Communication  3
    25902 Communication Theory 3
    26001 Public Communication in Society 3
    30000 Communication Research Methods 3
    45006 Media Use and Effects 3
    45007 Freedom of Speech 3
WIC   45902 Communication and Influence * 3
 ELR   46091 Senior Seminar * 3
  COMM Concentration Electives ** 15
MINIMUM SUBTOTAL 39


*A minimum C (2.000) grade must be earned in COMM 45902 and 46091, the former to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

**Of the 15 credit hours required for concentration electives, 12 credits must be upper-division. Maximum 6 credits hours combined from COMM 45092 and 45196.