Degree Requirements

Students in the Communication Studies degree program complete 124 credit hours of coursework to earn their degree. The Lew Klein College of Media and Communication academic advising team works with each student to select a concentration and the appropriate courses. 

Each student’s academic plan will look different based on the chosen area of focus and based on how many courses they complete each term. A sample four-year curriculum could include the following. 

Year 1

Fall

Credit Hours

CMST 1111

Communication and Public Life

3

Select one of the following (Communication Theory):

3

ADV 1101

Introduction to Media and Society

ADV 1102

Introduction to Advertising

JRN 1111

Journalism and Society

MSP 1011

Introduction to Media Theory

ENG 0802, 0812, or 0902

Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]

4

GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course [GQ]

4

KLN 1001

Klein First-Year Seminar

1

Total Credit Hours

15

Spring

MSP 1021

Media and Society

3

GenEd Breadth Course

3

GenEd Breadth Course

3

GenEd Breadth Course

3

Elective

3

Total Credit Hours

15

Year 2

Fall

CMST 2111

Communications Seminar

3

Select one of the following (Analysis):

3

ADV 2151

Introduction to Art Direction: Visual Communication

MSP 2421

Media Popular Culture

CSI 1111 or 1911

Introduction to Public Speaking

IH 0851 or 0951

Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]

3

GenEd Breadth Course

3-4

GenEd Breadth Course

3

Total Credit Hours

15

Spring

Select one of the following (Research Methods):

3

ADV 2141

Introduction to Brand Strategy and Research

JRN 2101

Journalism Research

MSP 2141

Media Research

Select one of the following (Cross-Cultural Perspectives):

3

CSI 3701

Intercultural Communication

CSI 3702

Communication, Culture and Identity

IH 0852 or 0952

Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]

3

GenEd Breadth Course

3

GenEd Breadth Course

3

Total Credit Hours

15

Year 3

Fall

One Concentration Track Course - any level

3

One Writing-Intensive Concentration Track Course - any level

3

Electives

10

Total Credit Hours

16

Spring

One 3000-4999 Concentration Track Course

3

One 3000-4999 Concentration Track Course

3

Electives

10

Total Credit Hours

16

Year 4

Fall

One 3000-4999 Writing-Intensive Concentration Track Course

3

One Concentration Track Course - any level

3

Electives

10

Total Credit Hours

16

Spring

One 4000-4999 Concentration Course

3

Electives

13

Total Credit Hours

16

Total Credit Hours

124