Degrees
Emphases
Communication Studies

Communication Studies is the study of how we communicate face-to-face in a variety of situations. Students in this field are interested in the dynamics of conversations, the common pitfalls and how to avoid them, and how to make the most out of human interaction. Communication Studies practitioners feel confident in interpersonal exchanges, public speaking, small-group discussion, and specialized fields like argumentation and/or mediation and negotiation. Every industry needs people that can communicate effectively. Graduates often find use for their skills in professions like sales, corporate training and development, human resources, and various social services. Many students choose Communication Studies as a bachelor's degree program that will prepare them for law school. For their upper division elective coursework, Communication Studies students are encouraged to take classes in Business Management and/or Behavioral Science (Psychology, Sociology, etc.).
Total Program Credits: 67
Department Core Requirements | |||
COMM 1500 | Introduction to Mass Communication | 3 credits | |
COMM 2300 | Introduction to Public Relations | 3 credits | |
COMM 3000 OR COMM 3700 | Media Ethics OR Free Expression in a Democratic Society | 3 credits | |
COMM 3020 | Communication Research Methods | 3 credits | |
COMM 3050 | Theories of Communication and Culture | 3 credits | |
COMM 431R | Executive Lecture Series | 1 credit | |
COMM 4930 | Capstone | 3 credits | |
Communication Studies Emphasis Requirements | |||
COMM 1020 | Public Speaking | 3 credits | |
COMM 319G | Intercultural Communication Encounters | 3 credits | |
COMM 4110 OR 4120 OR 4180 | Interpersonal Communication Theory & Research OR Group Communication OR Communication and Social Behavior | 3 credits | |
COMM 401G OR 4115 OR 4170 | Communication Education OR Advanced Health Communication OR Contemporary Issues in Organizational Communication | 3 credits | |
COMM 481R | Internship | Varies | |
Complete 9 credits from the following: | |||
COMM 2120 | Small Group Communication | 3 credits | |
COMM 2400 | Organizational Communication | 3 credits | |
COMM 2115 | Introduction to Health Communication | 3 credits | |
COMM 3115 | Communicating in Environments | 3 credits | |
Complete 3 credits from the following lower division COMM courses: | |||
COMM 128R | Forensics | 3 credits | |
COMM 207G | Introduction to Gender and Communication | 3 credits | |
COMM 2120 | Small Group Communication | 3 credits | |
COMM 2115 | Introduction to Health Communication | 3 credits | |
COMM 2270 | Argumentation | 3 credits | |
COMM 2400 | Organizational Communication | 3 credits | |
COMM 2510 | Visual Strategies for Communication Majors | 3 credits | |
COMM 281R | Internship | Varies | |
COMM 290C | Independent Study | 3 credits | |
Complete 9 credits from the following upper division COMM courses: | |||
COMM 3000 | Media Ethics | 3 credits | |
COMM 3115 | Communicating in Environments | 3 credits | |
COMM 3120 | Fundamentals of New and Social Media | 3 credits | |
COMM 3140 | Social Media Content Creation | 3 credits | |
COMM 3160 | Social Media Analytics | 3 credits | |
COMM 332G | Cross-cultural Communication in International Business | 3 credits | |
COMM 3410 | Fundamentals of Mediation and Negotiation | 3 credits | |
COMM 3420 | Communication and Conflict | 3 credits | |
COMM 350R | Special Topics in Communication | 3 credits | |
COMM 3700 | Free Expression in a Democratic Society | 3 credits | |
COMM 3780 | Mormon Cultural Studies | 3 credits | |
COMM/FAMS 4200 | Advanced Mediation and Negotiation | 3 credits | |
COMM 4250 | Communication and Leadership | 3 credits | |
COMM 4110 | Interpersonal Communication Theory & Research | 3 credits | |
COMM 4120 | Group Communication | 3 credits | |
COMM 4180 | Communication and Social Behavior | 3 credits | |
COMM 401G | Communication Education | 3 credits | |
COMM 4115 | Advanced Health Communication | 3 credits | |
COMM 4170 | Contemporary Issues in Organizational Communication | 3 credits |
Graduation Requirements:
- Completion of a minimum of 120 or more semester credits.
- Overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above.
- Complete all communication classes with a C- or better.
- Complete a minimum of 40 credit hours of upper-division courses.
Public Relations

Students seeking a degree in public relations from Utah Valley University will find themselves in a rigorous study of the ins and outs of public relations. The public relations emphasis provides students with dynamic in-class instruction as well as multiple options for real-world experience. Public Relations students learn the vital role that they can play in a vast array of professions, and learn the skills to do so by taking courses such as Public Relations Writing, and Case Studies in Public Relations. Public Relations students also have many opportunities for student involvement. Students who are pursuing a career in Public Relations it is recommended that they take upper division (3000+) Business Management courses to prepare them for the corporate environment.
Total Program Credits: 67
Department Core Requirements | |||
COMM 1500 | Introduction to Mass Communication | 3 credits | |
COMM 2300 | Introduction to Public Relations | 3 credits | |
COMM 3000 OR COMM 3700 | Media Ethics OR Free Expression in a Democratic Society | 3 credits | |
COMM 3020 | Communication Research Methods | 3 credits | |
COMM 3050 | Theories of Communication and Culture | 3 credits | |
COMM 431R | Executive Lecture Series | 1 credit | |
COMM 4930 | Capstone | 3 credits | |
Public Relations Emphasis Requirements | |||
COMM 1130 | Writing for the Mass Media | 3 credits | |
COMM 2510 | Visual Strategies for Communication Majors | 3 credits | |
COMM 3140 | Social Media Content Creation | 3 credits | |
COMM 3520 | Public Relations Case Studies | 3 credits | |
COMM 3530 | Public Relations Writing | 3 credits | |
COMM 481R | Internship | Varies | |
COMM 4850 | Public Relations Campaigns | 3 credits | |
Complete 9 credits from COMM courses (6 credits must be from upper-division COMM courses). |
Graduation Requirements:
- Completion of a minimum of 120 or more semester credits.
- Overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above.
- Complete all communication classes with a C- or better.
- Complete a minimum of 40 credit hours of upper-division courses.
Journalism and Media Studies

Students choosing a Communication degree with an emphasis in Journalism and Media Studies will have the opportunity to work with award-winning faculty and gain substantial amounts of hands-on experience. The program encourages students to get involved with The UVU Review, the student-produced campus news organization. The Review is an excellent way to build skills in print, broadcast, and web journalism. Course options for Journalism and Media Studies students range from introductory writing and reporting classes to advanced magazine writing, news editing, broadcast news, and long format video journalism. Students interested in a degree in Communication with an emphasis in Journalism and Media Studies should look at degree requirements and start planning for future semesters. Journalism and Media Studies students are encouraged to look into elective credits in the Digital Media Department, as a way to broaden their skills in modern storytelling.
Total Program Credits: 67
Department Core Requirements | |||
COMM 1500 | Introduction to Mass Communication | 3 credits | |
COMM 2300 | Introduction to Public Relations | 3 credits | |
COMM 3020 | Communication Research Methods | 3 credits | |
COMM 3050 | Theories of Communication and Culture | 3 credits | |
COMM 431R | Executive Lecture Series | 1 credit | |
COMM 4930 | Capstone | 3 credits | |
Journalism Emphasis Requirements | |||
COMM 1130 | Writing for the Mass Media | 3 credits | |
COMM 1610 | Reporting for the Mass Media | 3 credits | |
COMM 3000 | Media Ethics | 3 credits | |
COMM 3100 | Propaganda and Persuasion | 3 credits | |
COMM 3700 | Free Expression in a Democratic Society | 3 credits | |
COMM 3790 | Case Studies in Journalism | 3 credits | |
COMM 3530 | Public Relations Writing | 3 credits | |
COMM 481R | Internship | Varies | |
Complete 6 credits from the following Media and Practice courses: | |||
COMM 2790 | Magazine Writing | 3 credits | |
COMM 2100 | News Editing Process | 3 credits | |
COMM 2560 | Radio Production | 3 credits | |
COMM 2250 | Principles of Advertising | 3 credits | |
COMM 2510 | Visual Strategies for Communication Majors | 3 credits | |
Complete 6 credits from the following applied theory and research courses: | |||
COMM 3150 | Film Theory | 3 credits | |
COMM 362G | International Communication | 3 credits | |
COMM 3660 | Investigative Reporting | 3 credits | |
COMM 3780 | Mormons Media and Culture | 3 credits | |
Complete 6 credits from the following courses: | |||
COMM 3130 | The Culture of Nature and Technology | 3 credits | |
COMM 3150 | Film Theory | 3 credits | |
COMM 319G | Intercultural Communication Encounters | 3 credits | |
COMM 332G | Cross Cultural Communication for International Business | 3 credits | |
COMM 350R | Special Topics in Communication | 3 credits | |
COMM 3520 | Public Relations Case Studies | 3 credits | |
COMM 3530 | Public Relations Writing | 3 credits | |
COMM 3660 | Investigative Reporting | 3 credits | |
COMM 3680 | Advertising Media Planning | 3 credits | |
COMM 3780 | Mormons Media and Culture | 3 credits |
Graduation Requirements:
- Completion of a minimum of 120 or more semester credits.
- Overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above.
- Complete all communication classes with a C- or better.
- Complete a minimum of 40 credit hours of upper-division courses.
In addition to offering a bachelor's degree in one of the three emphases above, the Department of Communication also offers a minor in Communication after students complete 21 total credit hours within the department.
Total Program Credits: 21
Discipline Core Requirements: | 21 Credits | ||
COMM 1020 | Public Speaking | 3 credits | |
Choose two of the following: | 6 total credits | ||
COMM 1050 | Introduction to Speech Communication (3.0) | ||
COMM 1130 | Writing for the Mass Media (3.0) | ||
COMM 1500 | Introduction to Mass Communication (3.0) | ||
COMM 2300 | Public Relations (3.0) | ||
Complete twelve credits from the following: | 12 total credits | ||
COMM 3000 | Media Ethics (3.0) | ||
COMM 3050 | Theories of Communication and Culture (3.0) | ||
COMM 3100 | Propaganda and Persuasion (3.0) | ||
COMM 319G | Intercultural Communication Encounters (3.0) | ||
COMM 3420 | Communication and Conflict (3.0) | ||
COMM 350R | Special Topics in Communication (3.0) | ||
COMM 3700 | Free Expression in a Democratic Society (3.0) | ||
COMM 481R | Internship (May be repeated for 3.0 credits) (1.0) | ||
Any other advisor approved courses. |
Graduation Requirements for a Minor in Communication:
- Completion of a minimum of 21 or more semester credits.
- Overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above (departments may require a higher GPA).
- Complete all communication classes with a C- or better