School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Department of Communication & Creative Arts
Communication Studies - Communication
Bachelor of Arts degree
Degree Requirements
1. General Education Requirements
(54-57 credits)
- ENGL 100/104-105 or 108
- COM 114
- CIS 204
- MA or STAT
- LAB Science
- PHIL 150 or F&N 303 or any MA/SCI/STAT/CIS
- Literature
- Philosophy (not Logic)
- History
- Aesthetics (A&D 255, ENGL 405, MUS 250, or THTR 201)
- Economics 210
- Political Science
- Psychology 120
- Sociology 100 or Anthropology
- Foreign Language 12-hour sequence: FR, GER, SPAN, or JAP (101, 102, 201, 202)
2. Department Core
(7-9 credits)
COM 103 | Freshman Seminar in Communication (or other Freshman Seminar Course 1-3 cr. hrs.) |
COM 201 | Introduction to Media Studies |
COM 228 | Introduction to Communication Studies |
3. Communication Studies Core
(27 credits)
COM 214 | Theories of Interpersonal Communication |
COM 225 | Intro to Rhetoric and Social Influence |
OR | |
COM 319 | The Rhetorical Tradition |
COM 300 | Intro to Communication Research Methods |
COM 301 | Applied Communication Research |
COM 314 | Advanced Public Speaking |
OR | |
COM 323 | Business & Professional Speaking |
OR | |
COM 343 | Oral Interpretation |
COM 318 | Principles of Persuasion |
COM 320 | Small Group Communication |
COM 325 | Interviewing: Principles and Practice |
COM 420 | Intro to Organizational Communication |
4. Choose 3 of the following Communication courses at 300 level or higher
(9 credits)
COM 309 | Visual Communication |
COM 310 | Family Communication |
*COM 314 | Advanced Public Speaking |
*COM 319 | The Rhetorical Tradition |
*COM 323 | Business & Professional Speaking |
COM 326 | Speech Writing |
COM 330 | Theories of Mass Communication |
COM 331 | Audio Production |
COM 332 | Television Production |
*COM 343 | Fundamentals of Oral Interpretation |
COM 347 | Radio and TV Performance |
COM 352 | Mass Communication Law |
COM 365 | Communication and Aging |
COM 371 | Health Communication |
COM 403 | Communication Ethics |
COM 418 | Communication and Gender |
COM 436 | Scriptwriting |
COM 437 | Performance Practicum |
COM 446 | Advertising Management |
COM 470 | Women in the Media |
COM 490 | Internship in Communication |
COM 491 | Special Topics in Communication |
* May use only if course was not used in category “3”
5. Electives
(20-29 credits)
Why choose a bachelor degree in Communication/Communication Studies
Are you creative? Outgoing? Intrigued by human relationships? Do you enjoy the process of finding the best ways to share your ideas, either in writing or in a speaking format?
Are you productive? A self-starter? Fascinated by the realities and potentials of the media? Do you welcome the challenge of managing all the details involved in creating a media event or program?
Are you insightful? Reliable? Do you believe that your ability to prepare a message for a specified audience is one of your special skills?
A degree in communication may be exactly the right choice for you.
This broad and dynamic field of study prepares you for business and industry by honing your communication skills, both verbal and written, while enhancing your understanding of human interaction.
Several available degree options allow communication students the flexibility to choose their specialty and refine their skills, leading to professional careers and personal enrichment.
The communication option at Purdue University Calumet offers courses that range from the study of human communication to international media to the fulfilling quest for personal achievement in the performing and creative arts.
A communication degree from Purdue University Calumet concentrates on developing critical thinking skills, analysis, and interpretation of ideas and theories. In addition, development of written and verbal communication skills will prepare students for leadership positions and enable them to work effectively with diverse people and diverse settings.
Career options with a bachelor degree in Communication/Communication Studies
Communication graduates have a broad range of career paths from which to choose. Because effective communication is a vital tool in most every career, communication majors may elect a career in law, government, business and industry, the ministry, public relations, education, health-related institutions, management, and the mass media. Because of their acquired interpersonal and organizational skills, these graduates frequently become leaders in their communities and professions.
Highly motivated, creative, and flexible communication graduates will be able to secure careers in governmental, private, and not-for-profit organizations.
Communication/Media Studies...It's Not Just Talk!
Graduation Requirements
Experiential Learning
Experiential learning is a new graduation requirement for students who will be starting Purdue University Calumet in Fall 2008. This is a new approach to teaching; students go beyond theory based learning and explore ways to gain practical knowledge within their program of study. Students will enroll in two experiential learning courses while completing their degree. Experiential learning is offered through undergraduate research, internships, service learning, cooperative education, cultural immersion/study aboard, design project or practicum. Your academic advisor will assist you in selecting an experience that is right for you.
General Admissions Information
Admission to Purdue University Calumet is based on demonstrated academic quality rank factors, which includes a high school diploma or GED, meeting subject matter requirements, grade average in degree-related subjects, as well as overall grade average, trends in achievement, class rank, SAT or ACT test scores and the strength of the college preparatory program.
- Beginning Students — Need to submit an official high school transcript or GED scores and SAT/ACT scores (writing component is required). For applicants who have graduated from high school one year or more, the appropriate placement test results from the university's Skills Assessment and Development Center will substitute for SAT or ACT scores.
- Transfer Students — Need to submit an official high school transcript or GED scores, Transfer Credit Documentation Sheet - official college/university transcripts from each institution attended (if selected for evaluation) and $30.00 Transfer Evaluation Fee (if applicable). Applicants with fewer than 15 semester credits earned must submit SAT/ACT scores or PUC placement test results
For information about admissions requirements, including International, Re-Entry, Inter-Campus Transfer, Re-Classification and Non-Degree Seeking please visit the Office of Admissions web site.