Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Adviser Name:_______________________ Bulletin: 2015-2016 Undergraduate Bulletin Program: Communication Studies Major, B.A./B.S. Minimum Credits Required:__________________

Communication Studies Major, B.A./B.S.

36 hours; C or better required in all courses; 2.25 major GPA required

Communication Studies connects two important aspects of a USI education: the liberal arts and the professional preparation. By incorporating writing, speaking, and computer-mediated communications across the curriculum, the communication studies program explores communication in various contexts and forms.

Communication Studies faculty work with students so they can meet the current needs of business and industry leaders who demand that college graduates demonstrate effective communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and leadership experience in addition to the ability to think critically and conceptually. Students emerge from the major in communication studies as proficient, critical consumers and producers of messages and interactions at the personal, social, civic, and professional levels.

Graduates pursue various careers. Many work in sales, retail management, non-profit organizations, human resources, corporate training programs, government agencies, and the healthcare industry, while others own businesses or attend graduate school.

Required Courses (15 hours)

Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
CMST 107 - Introduction to Interpersonal Communication

USI Core 39: Foundations-Communication.


Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credits: 3
CMST 201 - Introduction to Communication Studies
Term(s) Offered: Fall
Credits: 3
CMST 203 - Introduction to Performance Studies
Term(s) Offered: Fall
Credits: 3
CMST 204 - Business and Professional Communication
Term(s) Offered: Spring
Credits: 3
CMST 301 - Communication Criticism and Analysis

USI Core 39: Embedded Experience-Writing


Term(s) Offered: Fall
Credits: 3

Communication Studies Electives

21 hours as directed by advisor.

Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
CMST 214 - Group and Team Communication
Term(s) Offered: Irregularly Offered
Credits: 3
CMST 303 - Introduction to Persuasion
Term(s) Offered: Irregularly Offered
Credits: 3
CMST 308 - Rhetoric and Diversity

USI Core 39: Embedded Experience-Diversity.


Term(s) Offered: Irregularly Offered
Credits: 3
CMST 313 - Advanced Performance Studies
Term(s) Offered: Irregularly Offered
Credits: 3
CMST 314 - Organizational Communication
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Summer
Credits: 3
CMST 315 - Readers Theatre
Term(s) Offered: Irregularly Offered
Credits: 3
CMST 317 - Intercultural Communication

USI Core 39: Embedded Experience-Diversity.


Term(s) Offered: Irregularly Offered
Credits: 3
CMST 318 - Conflict, Mediation and Negotiation
Term(s) Offered: Spring
Credits: 3
CMST 400 - Independent Study in Communication Studies
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credits: 1-3
CMST 402 - Gender, Communication, and Culture
Term(s) Offered: Fall (odd-numbered years)
Credits: 3
CMST 407 - Communication and Healthcare
Term(s) Offered: Fall (odd-numbered years)
Credits: 3
CMST 414 - Oral Traditions
Term(s) Offered: Irregularly Offered
Credits: 3
CMST 427 - Family Communication
Term(s) Offered: Spring (odd-numbered years)
Credits: 3
CMST 489 - Internship in Communication Studies
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credits: 1-3

The following courses are repeatable with different topics, but no more than 6 hrs of each course can apply toward the major:

CMST 410 - Seminar in Interpersonal Communication
Term(s) Offered: Irregularly offered
Credits: 3
CMST 420 - Seminar in Organizational Communication
Term(s) Offered: Irregularly offered
Credits: 3
CMST 430 - Seminar in Rhetoric
Term(s) Offered: Irregularly offered
Credits: 3
CMST 499 - Special Topics in Communication Studies
Term(s) Offered: Irregularly offered
Credits: 3

Additional Information

At least 21 hours in the major must be at the 300 and 400 level. For directed electives, no more than six hours may be taken from a combination of CMST 400 and CMST 489. For an internship, the student must seek permission of the Communications faculty and have second semester junior standing. Some upper-level CMST courses are offered biennially.

Notes: