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Communication Studies Specializations
Communication Studies majors can personalize their degree by completing two specializations that align with their interests.
Communication Studies Curriculum Guide
Communication, Identity and Relationships
Communication is at the heart of who we are and how we relate. The specialization in communication, identity, and relationships builds understanding of the ways that communication shapes our identities and relationships and develops skill in using communication to build strong connections.
Required Courses
|
Hours |
| COMM 322 – Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMM 420 – Gender Communication | 3 |
Elective Courses (Choose 2) |
|
| COMM 210 – Forensics, Debate, or Mock Trial Team Participation | 3 |
| COMM 323 – Nonverbal Communication | 3 |
| COMM 326 – Group Communication | 3 |
| COMM 442 – Theories of Human Communication Networks | 3 |
| COMM 465 – Conflict & Communication | 3 |
| COMM 480 – Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COMM 526 – Persuasion |
3 |
Organizational & Career Communication
Communication skills are consistently at the top of in-demand skills in workplaces. The specialization in organizational and career communication helps students learn more about the ways that communication helps us to organize and develop skills needed to achieve career success.
Required Courses |
Hours |
| COMM 326 – Group Communication | 3 |
| COMM 425 – Organizational Communication | 3 |
Elevtive Courses (Choose 2) |
|
| COMM 210 – Forensics, Debate, or Mock Trial Team Participation | 3 |
| COMM 311 – Business and Professional Speaking | 3 |
| COMM 328 – Professional Interviewing | 3 |
| MC 375 – Social Media Influencing and Personal Branding | 3 |
| COMM 442 – Theories of Human Communication Networks | 3 |
| COMM 480 – Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COMM 535 – Communication and Leadership |
3 |
| COMM 537 – Negotiation and Communication |
3 |
| COMM 552 – Coaching and Mentoring |
3 |
| COMM 632 – Innovation Cultures |
3 |
Political & Civic Advocacy & Communication
Building strong communities and pursuing civic goals requires effective communication. The specialization in political and civic advocacy and communication builds understanding of the ways that civic and political processes are shaped by communication and develops skills in advocacy, influence, and organizing needed to pursue political and civic goals.
Required Courses |
Hours |
| COMM 435 – Political Communication | 3 |
| COMM 545 – Communication in Democracy | 3 |
Elective Courses (Choose 2) |
|
| COMM 210 – Forensics, Debate, or Mock Trial Team Participation | 3 |
| COMM 325 – Argumentation and Debate | 3 |
| COMM 465 – Conflict and Communication | 3 |
| COMM 434 – Rhetoric of Social Movements | 3 |
| COMM 535 – Communication and Leadership | 3 |
| COMM 480 – Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COMM 526 – Persuasion |
3 |
| MC 576 – Mass Communications in Political Campaigns |
3 |
Legal Advocacy & Communication
Communication is integral to having a successful career in the legal field. The specialization is legal advocacy and communication not only helps aspiring attorneys prepare for law school by providing practice in legal advocacy, it also helps students develop perspectives and skills in practices such as negotiation, conflict resolution, and persuasion.
Required Courses |
Hours |
| COMM 260 – Introduction to Trial Advocacy | 3 |
| COMM 475 – Legal Communication | 3 |
Elective Courses (Choose 2) |
|
| COMM 210 – Forensics, Debate, or Mock Trial Team Participation | 3 |
| COMM 430 – Freedom of Speech | 3 |
| MC 466 – Media Law and Ethics | 3 |
| COMM 480 – Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COMM 526 – Persuasion | 3 |
| COMM 537 – Negotiation and Communication | 3 |
Coaching & Consulting
The specialization in coaching and consulting is ideal for students interested in making a difference by working with individuals, groups, teams, and workplaces to develop skills and perspectives needed to succeed. Students completing this specialization will develop skills and perspectives in a variety of areas, including conflict management, group communication, and coaching.
Required Courses |
Hours |
| COMM 480 – Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COMM 552 – Coaching and Mentoring | 3 |
Elective Courses (Choose 2) |
|
| COMM 210 – Forensics, Debate, or Mock Trial Team Participation | 3 |
| COMM 311 – Business and Professional Speaking | 3 |
| COMM 323 – Nonverbal Communication | 3 |
| COMM 326 – Group Communication | 3 |
| COMM 328 – Professional Interviewing | 3 |
| MC 445 – Digital Brand Strategy | 3 |
| COMM 465 – Conflict and Communication |
3 |
| COMM 526 – Persuasion |
3 |
Truth, Information, & Freedom of Speech
Pursuing progress and change through advocacy requires effective communication. This specialization helps students develop a better awareness of the dynamics of freedom of speech and the ways that communication and the flow of information shape the way we understand and act in the world.
Required Courses |
Hours |
| COMM 430 – Freedom of Speech | 3 |
| MC 466 – Media Law and Ethics | 3 |
Elective Courses (Choose 2) |
|
| MC 160 – Principles of Journalism | 3 |
| COMM 210 – Forensics, Debate, or Mock Trial Team Participation | 3 |
| COMM 332 – Communication and Technology | 3 |
| COMM 434 – Rhetoric of Social Movements | 3 |
| COMM 435 – Political Communication | 3 |
| COMM 442 – Theories of Human Communication Networks | 3 |
| COMM 526 – Persuasion | 3 |
| COMM 545 – Communication in Democracy |
3 |
| MC 612 – Diversity in Media |
3 |
Emerging Technology & Networked Communication
The ways we work, play, and relate is connected deeply with emerging technologies and platforms. The specialization in emerging technology and networked communication builds understanding in how technology and communication networks shape one another and develops skills in using these platforms to build strong relationships, workplaces, and communities.
Required Courses |
Hours |
| COMM 332 – Communication and Technology | 3 |
| COMM 632 – Innovation Cultures | 3 |
Elective Courses (Choose 2) |
|
| COMM 210 – Forensics, Debate, or Mock Trial Team Participation | 3 |
| COMM 322 – Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| MC 370 – Social Media Strategy and Management | 3 |
| COMM 420 – Gender Communication | 3 |
| COMM 442 – Theories of Human Communication Networks | 3 |
| COMM 425 – Organizational Communication | 3 |
| COMM 480 – Intercultural Communication |
3 |
| MC 506 – Social Media News Strategies | 3 |