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ApplyBA in Communication Studies | BS in Communication Studies | Minor in Communication Studies | Course Descriptions
Chair: J. Donald Ragsdale (936) 294-1848
Faculty: Rick Bello, Frances Brandau-Brown, Patricia Capps,Terry Thibodeaux, Shaun Zhang
Information: (936)294-1497; 212C Dan Rather Communications Building
Website: http://www.shsu.edu/commstudies
Communication Studies is the modern heir to one of the world’s oldest disciplines. Its connection to thought and language is fundamental, and its primacy in marriage and the family, in obtaining employment, and in advancing a career regardless of one’s field are well documented.
Mission
Communication Studies students learn how to prepare and present informative and persuasive speeches using the latest technologies and learn the skills necessary to engage in interpersonal, small group, and organizational forms of communication. They also study the nuances of nonverbal communication, the intricacies of argumentation and debate, the dynamics of communication in the family, the principles of persuasion, an in-depth study of lying and other forms of deception, and both historical and contemporary speakers and theories of rhetoric and communication.
Academic Programs
Highlights
The Department of Communication Studies provides a rich climate in which to pursue the study of communication. All classrooms are equipped with VHS/DVD playback, 55" HD flat screen monitor televisions, wifi laptops, and have software available for media-based presentations.
Suggested Minors
There is no preferred minor for Communication Studies. Students should select a minor that suits their interests and career needs. Common minors include English, Political Science, Psychology, Secondary Education, Criminal Justice, and Sociology.
Career Opportunities
The Department of Communication Studies offers coursework which provides for a wide variety of career choices. However, its focus is on family communication. Faculty members and students have ongoing research programs in such areas as relationship maintenance and repair and visual persuasion. The program is actively involved in advising students about course sequences available to prepare them for careers in public and private agencies which specialize in family matters.
Communication Studies graduates enter a variety of fields, including teaching at all levels, public advocacy and public relations, governmental relations, the ministry, motivational speaking, education, and website development and marketing. Many continue their studies in Communication Studies graduate programs and in law schools.
Student Organizations
Students may take advantage of the department’s student organization, Speakeasies. The department is also home to the Lambda Beta chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the official honor society of the National Communication Association.
Internships
The department offers internship opportunities for qualified students through COMS 4377 (described below).
Scholarships
The Department of Communication Studies offers several scholarships. Most scholarship deadlines are in March for the following academic year:www.shsu.edu/~fao_www/scholarships
Curriculum
Required Courses for Major
Students choosing to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Communication Studies must complete at least 30 hours of credit in Communication Studies (COMS) courses, including at least 9 hours of advanced courses and 6 hours of non-advanced courses in the program. To satisfy the foreign language requirement, all hours must be taken in the same language.
If students choose the Bachelor of Science degree option they must complete at least 30 hours of credit in Communication Studies courses, including at least 9 hours of advanced courses and 6 hours of non-advanced courses in electives in the program.
All students must take the following courses: COMS 1361, COMS 2331, COMS 2386, COMS 4381, COMS 4386.
COMS 2382 does not count toward the 30 hour requirement for majors.
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Communication Studies
| Notes: | ||
| Minor and elective hours should be chosen with the university requirement of 42 advanced hours in mind. | ||
| Bachelor of Arts - Major in Communication Studies | ||
|---|---|---|
| SHSU Course Number | Hours | Recommended Sequence |
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Component Area I (Communication) | 6 | 1st year |
| Component Area II (Mathematics) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) | 8 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area V (Creative Arts) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VI (U.S. History) | 6 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VII (Political Science/Government) | 6 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area IX (Component Area Option) | 4 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Degree Specific Requirements | ||
| PHIL elective | 3 | Freshman |
| Fine Arts Course | 3 | |
| Foreign Language (one field) | 14 | |
| Major Core | ||
| COMS 1361 | 3 | |
| COMS 2331 | 3 | |
| COMS 2386 | 3 | |
| COMS 4381 | 3 | |
| COMS 4386 | 3 | |
| Major | ||
| Electives (Advanced) | 9 | |
| Electives (Non-advanced) | 6 | |
| Minor (required) | 18 | |
| Electives | 10-19 | |
| Total Hours: | 120 | |
Bachelor of Science, Major in Communication Studies
| Notes | ||
| Minor and elective hours should be chosen with the university requirement of 42 advanced hours in mind. | ||
| Bachelor of Science - Major in Communication Studies | ||
|---|---|---|
| SHSU Course Number | Hours | Recommended Sequence |
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Component Area I (Communication) | 6 | 1st year |
| Component Area II (Mathematics) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) | 8 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area V (Creative Arts) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VI (U.S. History) | 6 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VII (Political Science/Government) | 6 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area IX (Component Area Option) | 4 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Degree Specific Requirements | ||
| MATH or COSC elective | 3 | Sophomore |
| Natural Sciences | 8 | |
| Major Core | ||
| COMS 1361 | 3 | |
| COMS 2331 | 3 | |
| COMS 2386 | 3 | |
| COMS 4381 | 3 | |
| COMS 4386 | 3 | |
| Major Core | ||
| Electives (Advanced) | 9 | |
| Electives (Non-advanced) | 6 | |
| Minor (required) | 18 | |
| Electives | 10-19 | |
| Total Hours: | 120 | |
Minor in Communication Studies
Students choosing a minor in Communication Studies must complete at least 18 hours in the program, including COMS 1361, COMS 2331, COMS 2386, and at least 6 advanced hours.
COMS 2382 does not count toward the 18 hour requirement for minors.
Communication Studies with Secondary Teaching Certification
Students seeking Secondary Teacher Certification in Texas with Communication Studies as the major (first teaching area) must complete the same requirements as for the major listed above, with the addition of MCOM 1330. COMS 2382 does not count toward the 30 hour requirement for majors. Students seeking Secondary Teacher Certification in Texas with Communication Studies as the minor (second teaching area) must complete 24 COMS hours. In addition to the requirements for the non-teaching minor listed above, COMS secondary education minors must complete an additional 6 advanced credit hours for a total of 12 advanced hours of the 24 COMS hours.
