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
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| English | 3-7 | |
| Mathematics | 3-5 | |
| American Institutions | 3-6 | |
| Life Sciences | 3-10 | |
| Physical Sciences | 3-5 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Literature/Humanities | 3 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Exploration | 3-5 | |
Communication Studies Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 1010 | Elements of Effective Communication | 3 |
| COMM 1020 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| COMM 1270 | Critical Thinking and Communicating (SS) | 3 |
| COMM 2060 | Communication Theory (SS, GC) | 3 |
| COMM 2110 | Interpersonal Communication (SS, GC) | 3 |
| COMM 2120 | Small Group Communication | 3 |
| COMM 3020 | Communication Research | 3 |
| COMM 3190 | Intercultural Communication (SS, GC) | 3 |
| COMM 3400 | Gender Communication | 3 |
| COMM 3510 | Ethics in Communication | 3 |
| COMM 4980 | Senior Seminar (Capstone) | 3 |
Communication Studies Elective Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 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
- Complete a minimum of 120 college-level credits (1000 and above).
- Complete at least 40 upper-division credits (3000 and above).
- Complete at least 30 upper-division credits at Utah Tech for institutional residency.
- Cumulative GPA 2.5 or higher.
- Grade C or higher in each Core Discipline Requirement course.