Bachelor of Arts in Communication

Communication and media shape the ways we understand and interact in our social worlds. The 45-unit Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree helps students develop valuable communication understandings and skills through a deep, practical, timely, and relevant curriculum. Five core courses expose students to major communication institutions and processes, theoretical perspectives and research techniques for studying those phenomena, and career pathways and ethical considerations for communication professionals. Students deepen these understandings and sharpen their skills by specializing in one of three concentrations: Relational and Organizational Communication, Media Studies, and Strategic Communication. Further, a wide range of Experiential Learning courses gives students hands-on experience in communication and media practices to prepare them for their careers. Together, this mix of theory and practice prepares students for a lifetime of personal, civic, and professional communication, including careers in various fields, such as: human resources, training and development; journalism, broadcasting, and filmmaking; digital/social media strategy and management; strategic communication for corporations, non-profits, and government entities; and many others.

Requirements (45 units)

Total units required for graduation: 120

Requirements for the B.A. in Communication

Core course requirements (15)
COMM 2101Introduction to Communication Studies3
COMM 3101Communication, Self, and Others3
COMM 3102Media, Culture, and Society3
COMM 4101Communication Research Methodology3
COMM 4102Ethical Aspects of Communication3
Experiential Learning requirements (6)
Students choose six units from at least two of the following experiential learning courses. In these courses, students apply Communication theories and practices in supervised, "hands-on" activities, and they reflect on those experiences.6
Students can only apply six experiential learning units toward the B.A. in Communication; however, additional experiential learning units may contribute to a minor (where applicable), or to a student's general graduation requirements (120 units).
Experiential learning courses may not be used as elective units, either in the B.A. in Communication or its respective concentrations.
Practicum in Relational and Organizational Communication
Practicum in Mentoring
Practicum in Intercollegiate Forensics: Coyote Debate
Practicum in Multimedia Journalism: Coyote Chronicle
Practicum in Digital Audio and Radio
Practicum in Television Journalism Production: Local Matters
Practicum in Strategic Communication: Coyote PR
Practicum in Advertising: Coyote Advertising
Practicum in Communication Research
Service Learning in Communication
Advanced Practicum in Relational and Organizational Communication
Advanced Practicum in Mentoring
Advanced Practicum in Intercollegiate Forensics: Coyote Debate
Advanced Practicum in Multimedia Journalism: Coyote Chronicle
Advanced Practicum in Digital Audio and Radio: Coyote Radio
Advanced Practicum in Television Journalism Production: Local Matters
Advanced Practicum in Strategic Communication: Coyote PR
Advanced Practicum in Advertising: National Student Advertising Competition team
Advanced Practicum in Communication Research
Internship in Communication
Internship in Communication
Internship in Communication
Communication Teaching Shadowship
Electives (6)
In addition to the Communication core, experiential learning, and concentration coursework, students choose six elective units in COMM coursework to broaden and deepen their understandings of communication processes.6
Students can only apply six elective units toward the B.A. in Communication; however, additional elective units may contribute to a minor (where applicable), or to a student's general graduation requirements (120 units).
Elective courses should be chosen in consultation with an advisor and, in the case of non-departmental electives, the approval of the chair. COMM 1000, 1002, 1006, and 1007 may not be applied toward the B.A. in Communication.
Concentration (18)
A minimum of 18 units from one of the following concentrations below to be chosen in consultation with an advisor.18
Total Units45

Note: Transfer students from a California community college who earned an appropriate Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AD-T) in communication may complete the B.A. in Communication by selecting any of the three concentrations. 

Concentrations (18 units)

Relational and Organizational Communication Concentration (18 units)

(Program Code: CMRO)

Core (9)
COMM 2201Intercultural Communication3
COMM 4202Relational Communication3
COMM 4203Organizational Communication3
Electives (9)
Nine units chosen from:9
Small Group Communication
Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication
Business and Professional Communication
Persuasion
Topics in Relational and Organizational Communication
Nonverbal Communication
Communication for Training Programs
Communication and Gender
Communication and Conflict
Classroom Communication
Interviewing
Mediation Theory and Practice
Advanced Topics in Relational and Organizational Communication
Culture and Ethnicity in Language
Independent Study
Independent Study
Independent Study
Total Units18

Media Studies Concentration (18 units)

(Program Code: CMMS)

Core (9)
COMM 3301Media Institutions in Context3
COMM 3305Digital Media and Society3
COMM 2301Newswriting and Reporting3
or COMM 3354 Fundamentals of Screenwriting
Electives (9)
Nine units chosen from any of the following areas:9
Media Studies
Topics in Media Studies
Gender, Race, and Class in Media
Latinx, Media, and Cultures
Global Communication
Media Effects
Advertising as Social Communication
Media Sex and Violence
Communication Law and Policy
Muslim Women in Media and Society
Advanced Topics in Media Studies
Film Studies
The Development of Motion Pictures
Movies in the Digital Age
Film Analysis
Global Cinema
Topics in Film Studies
Advanced Topics in Film Studies
Digital Production
Television Studio Production
Visual Communication
Introduction to Digital Video Editing
Digital Video Field Production
Fundamentals of Screenwriting 1
Topics in Digital Production
Digital Audio and Radio Production
Digital Filmmaking I
Digital Filmmaking II
Advanced Topics in Digital Production
Multimedia Journalism
Newswriting and Reporting 1
Multimedia Journalism
Publication Design
Topics in Multimedia Journalism
Advanced Topics in Multimedia Journalism
Independent Study
Independent Study
Independent Study
Total Units18
1

If not already completed as a concentration core course.

Strategic Communication Concentration (18 units)

(Program Code: CMSC)

Core Requirements (15)
COMM 2301Newswriting and Reporting3
COMM 3401Introduction to Strategic Communication3
COMM 3402Writing for Public Relations3
COMM 4401Strategic Communication Campaigns3
COMM 5401Crisis Communication3
Electives (3)
Three units chosen from:3
Introduction to Administration
Business and Professional Communication
Persuasion
Publication Design
Business Literacy for Strategic Communication
Topics in Strategic Communication
Communication Law and Policy
Advanced Topics in Strategic Communication
Principles of Microeconomics
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Principles of Strategy
Marketing Principles
Total Units18

Specialized Concentration (18 units)

(Program Code: CMSP)

Students may propose a unique, individualized and specialized 18-unit concentration if the proposed concentration is viable  and if it fulfills objectives that cannot be met through one of the other Communication Studies concentrations (e.g., Media Studies, Relational and Organizational, and Strategic Communication). To be eligible for the Specialized Concentration, students must complete a proposal (pre-generated questions) for their program plan, including all the communication courses that they intend to take in the concentration and a rationale for the course of study.  The proposal will be reviewed by a Communication Studies faculty advisor before a student can be approved for this concentration.  Before declaring this concentration, a student must have completed the following core classes: COMM 2101, COMM 3101, and COMM 3102. Only 9 units of Communication Studies course work completed prior to such approval can be applied toward the specialized concentration. Importantly, not intended to bypass normal graduation requirements or to avoid certain requirements of a regular concentration offered by the department.  

The Specialized Concentration Proposal Form can be located on the Department of Communication Studies website under FAQs: https://www.csusb.edu/communication-studies/graduate/frequently-asked-questions-0