Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog | 2016-2017 
    
Undergraduate Catalog | 2016-2017 Previous Edition

Communication Studies, B.A.


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Additional Admission Requirements


Students matriculated at UNC Charlotte and planning to change to or declare Communication Studies as their major must have an overall GPA of at least 2.0, met the foreign language requirement for the major, and received no grade less than C in COMM 1101 , COMM 2100 , and either STAT 1220  or STAT 1222 . Students may attempt COMM 2100  a maximum of two times.

Transfer students from other institutions must meet all general requirements for admission to the University. Acceptance into the Communication Studies major requires that they have met the foreign language requirement for the major, and received no grade less than a C in COMM 1101  or its equivalent, COMM 2100  or its equivalent, and either STAT 1220  or STAT 1222 .

Matriculated and transfer students who do not meet requirements for admission to the program because of special circumstances may petition the Department of Communication Studies for acceptance into the program.

Pre-Communication Studies


Students who apply for the Communication Studies major are initially classified as Pre-Communication Studies majors until they meet the following requirements: cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above; successful completion of a foreign language course at the 2000-level or higher in a Latin alphabet language or American Sign Language or 1202 in a non-Latin alphabet language; and successful (grade C or above) completion of COMM 1101 , COMM 2100 , and either STAT 1220  or STAT 1222 . Students matriculated at UNC Charlotte and planning to change or declare Pre-Communication Studies as their major must have an overall GPA of at least 2.0.

Degree Requirements


The program leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies requires 120 credit hours.

General Education Courses (37-43 credit hours)


For details on required courses, refer to the General Education program 

Foreign Language Course (3 credit hours)


Communication Studies majors must complete either a 2000-level course in a foreign language course  that uses the Latin Alphabet (e.g., French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish) OR a 1202-level foreign language course  in a language that is not written in the Latin Alphabet (e.g., Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Japanese, Russian). Intermediate American Sign Language is accepted. Non-native English speakers may complete the foreign language requirement by passing UWRT 1101  and UWRT 1102  or the equivalent.

Major Courses (24 credit hours)


All students complete 24 credit hours of Major Courses designed to provide a thorough understanding of fundamental communication processes. The Major Courses are structured into four categories:

Concentration Courses (12-24 credit hours)


Students must also complete 12-24 credit hours of coursework in a specific concentration of study. Courses that are required within a particular concentration or used as electives within the concentration cannot simultaneously be used to fulfill Major Course requirements. The concentrations are designed to provide students with the opportunity to pursue more extensive study in the communication context most relevant to their professional and social goals. Five concentrations of study are offered:

Concentration in Health Communication (21 credit hours)


The Health Communication concentration is designed for students interested in studying the relationship between communication and the quality of health care received by the patients.  Emphasis is placed on the promotion and maintenance of health, the prevention and treatment of illness, and the improvement of the healthcare system through effective communication.

Concentration in Mass Media (12 credit hours)


The Mass Media concentration is designed for students interested in the development and critical analysis of the media as a cultural force. Contemporary issues in media criticism are explored. Students may also receive limited exposure to media production.

Concentration in Organizational Communication (12 credit hours)


The Organizational Communication concentration is designed for students whose careers will benefit from an understanding of the communication processes that occur within organizational contexts. Students explore both the theory and practice of organizational communication.

Concentration in Communication and Public Advocacy (12 credit hours)


The Communication and Public Advocacy concentration is designed for those students desiring a well-developed background in the use, theory, construction, and analysis of public messages. The course of study provides training in individual public communication skills and provides a foundation for the analysis and evaluation of advocacy discourse.

Concentration in Public Relations (24 credit hours)


The Public Relations concentration is designed to provide students with a general background in public relations. Students examine both the theory and practice of public relations.

Related Courses (18 credit hours)


All students in the Mass Media, Organizational Communication, and Public Advocacy concentrations must complete 18 credit hours of related coursework excluding any courses applied to the Major Course requirements or Concentration requirements.  Students in the Health Communication concentration must complete 9 hours of related coursework, excluding any courses applied to Major Course requirements or requirements within that concentration.  Students in the Public Relations concentration must complete 6 hours of related coursework, excluding any courses applied to Major Course requirements or requirements within that concentration.  All related coursework must be approved by the student’s advisor.  An approved second major or a minor may be used to satisfy this requirement.

Unrestricted Electives


As needed.

Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours


Honors Program


For details about the Honors Program in Communication Studies, visit the program page .

Suggested Curriculum


For the suggested course sequence toward completing the major, please see the Academic Plan of Study available online at academics.uncc.edu.  Consultation with an advisor is required.

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