Academic Programs

Communication Studies Bachelor of Arts Major

The bachelor of arts major combines a core of required courses, that provide a solid foundation in the study of communication, with an area of emphasis, which allows the student to pursue a particular area of interest within the discipline.  (40 credits)

Core Courses
Gateway
Interpersonal
Public Speaking or Performance of Everyday Life
Introduction to Theories of Communication
Rhetorical Theory
Ethics of Communication
Intercultural Communication

Emphasis Areas:

             1. Relational: In the relational communication emphasis the student will study communication in the personal, social & professional relationships that are the building blocks of our lives.  The student will learn about such topics as conversation management, conflict management, listening, and gender in such contexts as the family, friendship, romance, and employment. The knowledge and practical application students will gain will be relevant to positions in both the profit and not-for-profit sectors as well as graduate school.  Students wanting to work in human resource management, conflict management, event planning as well as many other professions will find this emphasis beneficial.

               2. Intercultural:  The Intercultural Emphasis is designed to prepare students to work and communicate effectively in our culturally diverse and increasingly interdependent world.  It introduces students to the dynamics, opportunities and challenges when communicating with diverse individuals. This emphasis provides a knowledge of major intercultural communication principles, and encourages application of these principles in multiple contexts within the United States and abroad.

               3. Rhetoric and Performance Studies:   Want to make a difference in your world?  The Rhetoric and Performance Studies emphasis teaches core communication concepts and skills related to social influence and advocacy.  Students who complete this emphasis will (1) understand how individuals, businesses, and communities use communication to accomplish their goals and to shape their own and others’ identities, and (2) develop and improve communication skills essential for success in personal, professional, and public settings.  Majors in this emphasis will learn how to assess situations that call for rhetorical intervention, to plan suitable responses, and to communicate ethically with various publics in speech, in writing, and in performance.  The Rhetoric and Performance Studies emphasis is relevant to a broad range of careers, including management, marketing, mass communication, public relations, social and human services, community psychology, community studies, political science, criminal justice, government, law, or international relations. 

               4. Leadership and Organizational Communication:   The leadership and organizational communication emphasis focuses on communication in the workplace.  This emphasis is designed for students who plan to become leaders and managers in business, governmental, or non-profit organizations, and who want to begin their careers well-prepared for the complexities of workplace communication.  Courses in this emphasis address contemporary theories of organizational communication and leadership, as well as applications to specific contexts such as small group dynamics, motivational techniques, interviewing skills and conflict management.

                5. General Communication:  This emphasis provides a broad background to the discipline of Communication Studies.  Students who select this emphasis will have the opportunity to explore many dimensions of communication across a variety of contexts, and will have developed skills in both presentation and relational communication.

Communication Arts and Literature Major

The Communication Arts and Literature Major is designed to meet certification requirements of prospective public school teachers of Communication Arts and Literature.  [The variable credits are due to options students may choose in a selected area—3- or 4-credit courses.]  (59-60 credits)

Communication Studies Supplementary Major

This major complements many different major programs of study and is intended for students who desire a double major and who have filed a major in another department.  This major provides a broad exposure to the study of communication in a variety of contexts, while providing more depth than a CMST minor. A supplementary major or minor in Communication Studies better prepares the student to address communication as important to career, community, and relationships.  (28 credits)

Communication Studies Bachelor of Science Interdepartmental Major

The Communication Studies Interdepartmental Major is for students who have specific occupational goals in mind—e.g., legal/governmental, events planning, hospitality, non-profit, human services, human resource management, etc.  The major combines a Communication Studies core with an elective program drawn from at least two other departments.  [See “Careers in Communication” under students for ideas for combining communication studies with other disciplines.]  A minor is not required.  Bachelor of Science.  (55 credits)

Communication Studies Minor

This minor provides an initial introduction to the study of communication in a variety of contexts and is intended to complement a major from another department.  A minor or supplementary major in Communication Studies better prepares the student to address communication as important to career, community, and relationships.  (19 credits) 

Applied Relational Conflict Management Minor

The Applied Relational Conflict Management minor prepares students to better manage conflict in their relationships and communities by introducing them to theory and practice of creative conflict management.   Students study key theories and skills important to understanding, managing and mediating interpersonal conflict. This interdisciplinary minor supports a variety of majors including, but not limited to, communication studies, community psychology, management, criminal justice, social work and sociology. Students who complete this minor qualify to be rostered as a neutral with the Minnesota Supreme Court.  (21 credits)

Intercultural Communication Minor

The Intercultural Minor is an interdisciplinary program which enables students to design a minor to meet their individual interests and professional aspirations.  The twelve credit core grounds students in the principles of interpersonal and intercultural communication in various contexts.  The remaining nine credits may be used to expand knowledge interdepartmentally, to concentrate on a particular culture, language, or region of the world.  The Intercultural Minor may especially be paired with majors which would benefit from a global communication perspective, such as International Business, International Relations, Foreign Languages, Travel and Tourism, or Mass Communication.  (21 credits)

For further information and requirements to complete these academic programs see the: Undergraduate Bulletin.  The bulletin also lists and gives a description of the courses offered by the Communication Studies Department.

While thinking about your academic program, don't forget extracurricular activities are an important part of your collegiate experience.  You can report your activities in a Co-curricular Transcript at the following website http://www.stcloudstate.edu/csold/default.asp. 

Go to Students for more information about choosing your major and what you can do with a Communication Studies Degree.