Communication, BA or BS

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Requirements for the Major

1.

Fulfill baccalaureate degree requirements.

2.

Choose one of two options: human communication or convergent media.

3.

Complete a minimum of 60 credits of approved courses, including the premajor courses; 28 of these credits must be upper division, not including COMM/JRN 377 activity credits, which may be applied to the 60-credit total.

4.

At least 20 credits must be completed in the SOU Communication Department.

5.

To graduate, each communication major must have a minimum 2.75 GPA for all coursework in the department. All courses must be taken for a letter grade unless instructor permission is obtained.

6.

Complete a capstone experience during the senior year.

COMM 410 - Capstone 1 to 2 credits a term (maximum 12 credits)
JRN 410A - Journalism: Individual Capstone 1 to 4 credits
or
JRN 410B - Journalism: Team Capstone Project 1 to 4 credits
VP 410 - Projects for RVTV/SOU Credits to be arranged

7.

Each journalism student must complete 4 internship credits. The credits may be in the student’s declared option or related areas, as approved by the internship coordinator. Those in human communication are encouraged to complete activity and practicum credits.

JRN 409 - Journalism Internship 1 to 6 credits

Writing Component

Students demonstrate writing proficiency by completingthe courses below, as well as by taking any of the upper division communication courses with a writing component.

USEM 101 - University Seminar 4 credits each
USEM 102 - University Seminar 4 credits each
USEM 103 - University Seminar 4 credits each
or equivalent
COMM 300 - Research Strategies 4 credits

Students in the Human Communication option are required to complete a COMM 460 topics course to further demonstrate their writing competency.

COMM 460 - Topics in Communication 4 credits

Options

Capstone

The required capstone experience is designed to synthesize four years of learning in one project. The course experience or project is completed in the senior year and supervised or taught by a faculty member. The student must have 1 to 4 capstone credits and earn a passing grade to meet major and SOU graduation requirements. Although students may have completed a previous internship or practicum in a similar situation, the capstone experience is expected to be of greater depth, scope, and quality.

While students may choose to complete their capstone experience in a public or private agency, they may also write a research paper to meet the capstone requirement. In any case, the project must be an example of the student’s best work. Capstone experience credits may be earned under:

COMM 410 - Capstone 1 to 2 credits a term (maximum 12 credits)
or
JRN 410A - Journalism: Individual Capstone 1 to 4 credits
or
JRN 410B - Journalism: Team Capstone Project 1 to 4 credits
or
VP 410 - Projects for RVTV/SOU Credits to be arranged

Accelerated Baccalaureate Degree Program

Communication majors may participate in the Accelerated Baccalaureate Degree Program.