Communication Studies, BS


Program Description

The Department of Communication Studies at Utah Tech University promotes ethical practices of all forms of communication particularly within the academic areas of human communication and a degree completion program in organizational communication and leadership. Students receive training in ethics, leadership, critical thinking, and effective interaction skills. Guided by theory and application, students are trained to produce and critically interpret human communication messages through the design, production, and delivery of oral and written communication. The department also houses the Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society, an honor society recognized by the National Communication Association.


Admission Requirements

Students must be admitted to Utah Tech University including submitting previous college transcripts to the Registrar’s Office before they will be considered for admission to the Communication Studies program. Departmental approval is required prior to formally declaring communication as a major. Students are admitted to the Communication Studies baccalaureate program upon completion of the following admission requirements:

1.        Cumulative GPA of 2.0 (C) or higher

2.        Completion of a Communication Studies Program admission application

3.        Consultation with a Communication Studies Advisor

Students may self-declare “pre-Communication Studies” (BS-CMST-P) as their major before completing the consultation with a Communication Advisor.

Advisement

Students will consult with the Communication Department advisor who will review the student's current academic status, explain degree requirements, and assist in creating a degree completion plan.  Students must submit a program admission application with their advisor to declare a major.  Upon nearing degree completion, the student must again meet with the advisor to go over the graduation checklist and sign the graduation audit.  Advisors provide an important resource in helping to stay on track toward academic goals throughout the Communication course of study.

Academic Requirements

To remain in the Communication baccalaureate program, students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 (C) or better. Students are also required to achieve not less than a C in each lower- and upper-division core communication class. If a student does not achieve this level in any core class, s/he will be required to take it again until the standard is met.


Program Curriculum

120 credits

Utah Tech General Education Requirements

All Utah Tech General Education requirements must be fulfilled. A previously earned degree may fulfill those requirements, but courses must be equivalent to Utah Tech's minimum General Education standards in American Institutions, English, and Mathematics.

General Education Core Requirements

English3-7
Mathematics3-5
American Institutions3-6
Life Sciences3-10
Physical Sciences3-5
Fine Arts3
Literature/Humanities3
Social & Behavioral Sciences3
Exploration 3-5

Communication Studies Core Requirements 

COMM 1010Elements of Effective Communication3
COMM 1020Public Speaking3
COMM 1270Critical Thinking and Communicating (SS)3
COMM 2060Communication Theory (SS, GC)3
COMM 2110Interpersonal Communication (SS, GC)3
COMM 2120Small Group Communication3
COMM 3020Communication Research3
COMM 3190Intercultural Communication (SS, GC)3
COMM 3400Gender Communication3
COMM 3510Ethics in Communication3
COMM 4980Senior Seminar (Capstone)3

Communication Studies Elective Requirements 

Complete a minimum of 21 credits from the following:
Voice and Civility in Public Discourse
Nonverbal Communication
Family Communication
Rhetoric and Public Communication
The Dark Side of Interpersonal Relationships
Provider and Patient Relations
Community Health Communication
Health Communication
Globalization, Culture, and Identity
Negotiations and Bargaining
Survey of Dispute Resolution
Professional Relationship Development
Mediation and Negotiation
Critical and Rhetorical Analysis
Organizational Communication and System Dynamics
Special Topics in Communication
Persuasion
Integrated Oral Presentations
Leadership and High Performance Teams
Communication in Romantic Relationships
Communication and Contemporary Public Issues
Communication and Conflict
Communication Internship
Introduction to Public Relations
Public Relations Practicum II (ALPP)
Social Media Campaigns
Advanced Public Relations

Graduation Requirements

  1. Complete a minimum of 120 college-level credits (1000 and above).
  2. Complete at least 40 upper-division credits (3000 and above).
  3. Complete at least 30 upper-division credits at Utah Tech for institutional residency.
  4. Cumulative GPA 2.5 or higher.
  5. Grade C or higher in each Core Discipline Requirement course.