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Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies degree prepares students for careers in the various communication professions, as well as a wide variety of occupations that place a premium on excellent communication skills. In addition, many Communication Studies graduates go on to earn advanced degrees in disciplines such as communication, psychology, sociology, and law. The Communication Studies curriculum draws from the traditions of both the humanities and the social sciences, and includes a wide array of courses investigating the nature, processes and effects of human communication.

For students following the 2007-2009* catalog, the Bachelor of Arts degree requires a Cal Poly standard 180 units of coursework, which includes 64 units of general education courses and various other university-wide requirements. In addition, the Communication Studies major requires 25 units of designated support courses and 23 units of free elective courses. Finally, the major requires 68 units of Communication Studies coursework: 40 units of required courses, 12 units of restricted elective courses, and 16 units of upper-division elective courses.

*Students who have been in continuous attendance at any combination of California Community Colleges or campuses of the California State University may elect to graduate under the requirements of any Cal Poly catalog that has been in effect since the student began such attendance. See information sheet below for more details.

Major Coursework Requirements Summary

  • COMS 201 Advances Public Speaking or COMS 208 Performance of Literature or COMS 226 Applied Argumentation
  • COMS 212 Interpersonal Communication
  • COMS 213 Organizational Communication
  • COMS 217 Small Group Communication
  • COMS 250 Forensic Activity
  • COMS 311 Communication Theory
  • COMS 312 Communication Research Methods
  • COMS 322 Persuasion
  • COMS 330 Classical Rhetorical Theory
  • COMS 331 Political Advocacy and Contemporary Rhetoric or COMS 435 American Political Rhetoric
  • COMS 332 Rhetorical Criticism
  • COMS 350 Advanced Forensic Activity
  • COMS 385 Media Criticism or COMS 419 Media Effects
  • COMS 460 Undergraduate Seminar
  • COMS 461 Senior Project
  • 16 units of additional upper-division Communication Studies coursework
 

Support Coursework Requirements Summary

  • ENGL 302 Advanced Composition or ENGL 310 Corporate Communication or ENGL 386 Creative Nonfiction or JOUR 407 Feature Writing
  • Foreign Language 121 level (or demonstration of comparable proficiency)
  • HIST 110 Western Civilization: Ancient to Renaissance
  • HIST 111 Western Civilization: Reformation to Twentieth Century
  • PSYC 201 General Psychology or PSYC 202 General Psychology (also satisfies GE D4 requirement)
  • STAT 217 Introduction to Statistical Concepts and Methods (also satisfies 4 units of GE B1 requirement)
 

See the following materials for additional information

Minoring in Communication Studies

The Communication Studies Department offers a 28-unit minor for students who desire a supplemental academic program that documents competency in Communication Studies. Minor certification involves 12 units of required coursework, 4 units of restricted elective coursework, and 12 units of elective coursework (of which 8 units must be at the 300-400 level).

Students who choose to complete the Communication Studies minor should schedule a preliminary conference with the minor advisor. Following initial consultation, the student must complete and sign the Communication Studies Minor Agreement Form, which also requires the signature of the minor advisor and the department chair.

Minor Requirements Summary

  • COMS 212 Interpersonal Communication
  • COMS 311 Communication Theory
  • COMS 322 Persuasion
  • COMS 330 Classical Rhetorical Theory or COMS 331 Political Advocacy and Contemporary Rhetoric (4)
  • 12 units of additional Communication Studies coursework (from list), of which at least 8 units must be at 300-400 level
 

Minor Advisor Contact Information
Dr. Michael Fahs
Faculty Offices North 47-36H
805-756-2265
mfahs@calpoly.edu

 

See the following materials for additional information

Printable Communication Studies Minor Information Sheet

Communication Studies Minor Agreement Form (Word Fill-in Form)