Degrees

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:

1. Completion of a minimum of 120 or more semester credits.
2. Overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above.
3. Complete all communication classes with a C- or better.
4. Complete a minimum of 40 credit hours of upper-division courses.

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:

1. Completion of a minimum of 120 or more semester credits.
2. Overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above.
3. Complete all communication classes with a C- or better.
4. Complete a minimum of 40 credit hours of upper-division courses.

 

Program Learning Outcomes

Students choosing a Communication degree with an emphasis in Journalism 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 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 should look at degree requirements and start planning for future semesters. Journalism 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:

1. Completion of a minimum of 120 or more semester credits.
2. Overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above.
3. Complete all communication classes with a C- or better.
4. Complete a minimum of 40 credit hours of upper-division courses.

 

Program Learning Outcomes