Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Studies seeks to help students understand communication and its practice in a variety of relationships.
CMS Degree Catalogs
The Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies degree comprises 120 credit hours.
Core Curriculum
A specific combination of coursework in English, Government, American History, Math, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Fine Arts.
Major requirements
- A minimum of 36 and maximum of 48 hours of major-specific coursework in the department.
- Each student must complete one of the following tracks: Corporate Communication, Interpersonal Communication, or Political Communication.
Moody College of Communication requirements
6 hours of Communication Foundations: COM 301E and COM 302E, taken in fall semester of first and second years of enrollment.
Please see adjacent Course List for the degree requirements.
The Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies degree comprises 120 credit hours.
Core Curriculum
A specific combination of coursework in English, Government, American History, Math, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Fine Arts.
Major requirements
- A minimum of 36 and maximum of 48 hours of major-specific coursework in the department.
- Each student must complete one of the following tracks: Corporate Communication, Interpersonal Communication, or Political Communication.
Moody College of Communication requirements
- Language and Culture Requirement
- 6 hours of Communication Foundations: COM 301E and COM 302E, taken in fall semester of first and second years of enrollment.
Please see adjacent Course List for the degree requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies degree comprises 120 credit hours.
Core Curriculum
A specific combination of coursework in English, Government, American History, Math, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Fine Arts.
Major requirements
- A minimum of 36 and maximum of 48 hours of major-specific coursework in the department.
- Each student must complete one of the following tracks: Corporate Communication, Human Relations, or Political Communication.
Moody College of Communication requirements
- Language and Culture Requirement
- 6 hours of Communication courses outside your major
- 3 additional hours of English or Rhetoric (E or RHE)
- 3 hours Communication and Culture coursework
Please see adjacent Course List for the degree requirements.
2022-2024 Course List
Three hours from the following (All Tracks)
CMS 314L Language, Communication, and Culture
CMS 331K Speechwriting and Criticism
CMS 338L Leadership and Public Memory
CMS 339L Social Interaction and Virtual Environments
CMS 346 Using Comm Technology at Work
CMS 347E Arguing the End of the World
CMS 348 Communication Research Methods
CMS 348K Visual Media and Interaction
CMS 349M Advanced Analysis of Popular Culture
CMS 347S Communicating with Stuff
CMS 350C Crowds, Clouds, and Community
CMS 350M Field Study in Organizational Communication
CMS 354 Conflict Resolution
CMS 357 Family Communication
CMS 358 Communication and Personal Relationships
CMS 359C Inside the American Conversation
CMS 371D Difficult Conversations
CMS 371K Practicum in Conflict Mediation
CMS 372K Advanced Organizational Communication
CMS 377K Faculty-Initiated Research
CMS 378K Student-Initiated Research
Three hours from the following (All Tracks)
CMS 307K Internship
CMS 310K Team-Based Communication
CMS 313M Organizational Communication
CMS 322E Communication Ethics
CMS 330 Interpersonal Health Comm
CMS 330P Communicating with Patients
CMS 331K Speechwriting and Criticism
CMS 332D Digital Ethics
CMS 335 Strategic Sales and Event Planning
CMS 337 Communicating to Build Sales Relationships
CMS 339K Working Virtually
CMS 342K Political Communication
CMS 345G Communicating to Government
CMS 346 Using Communication Technology at Work
CMS 350C Clouds, Crowds, and Community
CMS 353C Communication for Innovation
CMS 353S Social Media and Organizations
CMS 355K Intercultural Communication
CMS 364M Pre-Graduate School Mentorship
CMS 370K Internship in Communication Studies
CMS 373D Advocacy and Politics
Required
CMS 306M Professional Communication Skills
CMS 313M Organizational Communication
CMS 332K Theories of Persuasion
Nine hours from the following:
CMS 310K Team-Based Communication
CMS 316L Interviewing Principles and Practices
CMS 337 Building Sales Relationships
CMS 339K Working Virtually
CMS 339L Social Interaction and Virtual Environments
CMS 341 Digital Communications
CMS 346 Using Communication Technology at Work
CMS 350C Crowds, Clouds, and Community
CMS 350M Field Study in Organizational Communication
CMS 352D The Dark Side of Organizational Communication
CMS 353C Communication for Innovation
CMS 353S Social Media and Organizations
CMS 356C Collective Action
CMS 356T Organizational Transparency
CMS 370K Internship in Communication Studies
CMS 372K Practicum in Conflict Mediation
CMS 367C Topics in Corporate Communication
CMS 372T Time Matters
Twelve additional hours of communication studies
Required
CMS 306M Professional Communication Skills
CMS 315M Interpersonal Communication Theory
CMS 332K Theories of Persuasion
Nine hours from the following
CMS 314L Language, Communication, and Culture
CMS 330 Interpersonal Health Comm
CMS 334K Nonverbal Communication
CMS 344K Lying and Deception
CMS 354 Conflict Resolution
CMS 355K Intercultural Communication
CMS 355T Communication and Thought
CMS 357 Family Communication
CMS 358 Communication and Personal Relationships
CMS 358C Identity in Relationships
CMS 370K Internship in Communication Studies
CMS 371D Difficult Conversations
CMS 371K Practicum in Conflict Mediation
Twelve additional hours of communication studies
Required
CMS 306M Professional Communication Skills
CMS 317C Speech in American Culture
CMS 332K Theories of Persuasion
Nine hours from the following
CMS 320 Advanced Presentation Skills
CMS 322E Communication Ethics
CMS 332 Argumentation and Advocacy
CMS 333 Case Studies in Argumentation
CMS 338L Leadership and Public Memory
CMS 340K Communication and Social Change
CMS 342C Communication and Civic Participation
CMS 342K Political Communication
CMS 345 Media Effects and Politics
CMS 345G Communicating to Government
CMS 345N Political Narratives
CMS 345P Communication and Public Opinion
CMS 345V American Voices
CMS 364K Gender and Communication
CMS 370K Internship in Communication Studies
CMS 372D The Politics of National Memory
CMS 367P Topics in Political Communication
CMS 373D Advocacy and Politics
CMS 374D Beyond Congress and the White House
Twelve additional hours of communication studies
2020-2022 Course List
Three hours from the following (All Tracks)
CMS 314L Language, Communication, and Culture
CMS 348 Communication Research Methods
CMS 348K Visual Media and Interaction
CMS 349M Advanced Analysis of Popular Culture
CMS 350C Crowds, Clouds, and Community
CMS 350M Field Study in Organizational Communication
CMS 357 Family Communication
CMS 358 Communication and Personal Relationships
CMS 359C Inside the American Conversation
CMS 377K Faculty-Initiated Research
CMS 378K Student-Initiated Research
CMS 331K Speechwriting and Criticism
CMS 338L Leadership and Public Memory
CMS 339L Social Interaction and Virtual Environments
CMS 346 Using Comm Technology at Work
CMS 347E Arguing the End of the World
CMS 354 Conflict Resolution
CMS 367 Communicating with Stuff
CMS 347S Communicating with Stuff
CMS 371D Difficult Conversations
CMS 371K Practicum in Conflict Mediation
CMS 372K Advanced Organizational Communication
Three hours from the following (All Tracks)
CMS 307K Internship
CMS 322E Communication Ethics
CMS 342K Political Communication
CMS 345G Communicating to Government
CMS 364M Pre-Graduate School Mentorship
CMS 370K Internship in Communication Studies
CMS 310K Team-Based Communication
CMS 313M Organizational Communication
CMS 330 Interpersonal Health Comm
CMS 330P Communicating with Patients
CMS 332D Digital Ethics
CMS 331K Speechwriting and Criticism
CMS 335 Strategic Sales and Event Planning
CMS 337 Communicating to Build Sales Relationships
CMS 339K Working Virtually
CMS 346 Using Communication Technology at Work
CMS 350C Clouds, Crowds, and Community
CMS 353C Communication for Innovation
CMS 353S Social Media and Organizations
CMS 355K Intercultural Communication
CMS 367 Messaging Matters
CMS 373D Advocacy and Politics
Required
CMS 306M Professional Communication Skills
CMS 313M Organizational Communication
CMS 332K Theories of Persuasion
Nine hours from the following
CMS 310K Team-Based Communication
CMS 337 Building Sales Relationships
CMS 339L Social Interaction and Virtual Environments
CMS 341 Digital Communications
CMS 350C Crowds, Clouds, and Community
CMS 350M Field Study in Organizational Communication
CMS 353C Communication for Innovation
CMS 353S Social Media and Organizations
CMS 370K Internship in Communication Studies
CMS 372K Practicum in Conflict Mediation
CMS 372T Time Matters
SPE 310K Discussion and Group Methods
CMS 316L Interviewing Principles and Practices
CMS 339K Working Virtually
CMS 367 Organizational Transparency
CMS 356T Organizational Transparency
CMS 356C Collective Action
Twelve additional hours of communication studies
Required
CMS 306M Professional Communication Skills
CMS 315M Interpersonal Communication Theory
CMS 332K Theories of Persuasion
Nine hours from the following
CMS 314L Language, Communication, and Culture
CMS 330 Interpersonal Health Comm
CMS 334K Nonverbal Communication
CMS 344K Lying and Deception
CMS 354 Conflict Resolution
CMS 355K Intercultural Communication
CMS 355T Communication and Thought
CMS 357 Family Communication
CMS 358 Communication and Personal Relationships
CMS 370K Internship in Communication Studies
CMS 371D Difficult Conversations
CMS 371K Practicum in Conflict Mediation
Twelve additional hours of communication studies
Required
CMS 306M Professional Communication Skills
CMS 317C Speech in American Culture
CMS 332K Theories of Persuasion
Nine hours from the following
CMS 320 Advanced Presentation Skills
CMS 322E Communication Ethics
CMS 331K Speechwriting and Criticism
CMS 332 Argumentation and Advocacy
CMS 333 Case Studies in Argumentation
CMS 338L Leadership and Public Memory
CMS 340D Expertise and Power in the Digital Commons
CMS 340K Communication and Social Change
CMS 342C Communication and Civic Participation
CMS 342K Political Communication
CMS 345 Media Effects and Politics
CMS 345G Communicating to Government
CMS 345P Communication and Public Opinion
CMS 345V American Voices
CMS 364K Gender and Communication
CMS 370K Internship in Communication Studies
CMS 372D The Politics of National Memory
CMS 373D Advocacy and Politics
CMS 374D Beyond Congress and the White House
CMS 345N Political Narratives
CMS 367 Communicating to Government
CMS 367 Political Narratives
Twelve additional hours of communication studies
2018-2020 Course List
Three hours from the following (All Tracks)
CMS 314L Language, Communication, and Culture
CMS 348 Communication Research Methods
CMS 348K Visual Media and Interaction
CMS 349M Advanced Analysis of Popular Culture
CMS 350C Crowds, Clouds, and Community
CMS 350M Field Study in Organizational Communication
CMS 357 Family Communication
CMS 358 Communication and Personal Relationships
CMS 359C Inside the American Conversation
CMS 377K Faculty-Initiated Research
CMS 378K Student-Initiated Research
CMS 331K Speechwriting and Criticism
CMS 338L Leadership and Public Memory
CMS 339L Social Interaction and Virtual Environments
CMS 346 Using Comm Technology at Work
CMS 347E Arguing the End of the World
CMS 354 Conflict Resolution
CMS 367 Communicating with Stuff
CMS 347S Communicating with Stuff
CMS 371D Difficult Conversations
CMS 371K Practicum in Conflict Mediation
CMS 372K Advanced Organizational Communication
Three hours from the following (All Tracks)
CMS 301 Internship
CMS 322E Communication Ethics
CMS 342K Political Communication
CMS 345G Communicating to Government
CMS 364M Pre-Graduate School Mentorship
CMS 370K Internship in Communication Studies
CMS 310K Team-Based Communication
CMS 313M Organizational Communication
CMS 330 Interpersonal Health Comm
CMS 330P Communicating with Patients
CMS 332D Digital Ethics
CMS 331K Speechwriting and Criticism
CMS 335 Strategic Sales and Event Planning
CMS 337 Communicating to Build Sales Relationships
CMS 339K Working Virtually
CMS 346 Using Communication Technology at Work
CMS 350C Clouds, Crowds, and Community
CMS 353C Communication for Innovation
CMS 353S Social Media and Organizations
CMS 355K Intercultural Communication
CMS 367 Messaging Matters
CMS 373D Advocacy and Politics
Required
CMS 306M Professional Communication Skills
CMS 313M Organizational Communication
CMS 332K Theories of Persuasion
Nine hours from the following
CMS 310K Team-Based Communication
CMS 316L Interviewing Principles and Practices
CMS 337 Building Sales Relationships
CMS 339K Working Virtually
CMS 339L Interviewing Principles and Practices
CMS 341 Digital Communications
CMS 346 Using Communication Technology at Work
CMS 350C Crowds, Clouds, and Community
CMS 350M Field Study in Organizational Communication
CMS 352D The Dark Side of Organizational Communication
CMS 353C Communication for Innovation
CMS 353S Social Media and Organizations
CMS 356C Collective Action
CMS 367 Collective Action
CMS 367 Organizational Transparency
CMS 356T Organizational Transparency
CMS 372K Practicum in Conflict Mediation
CMS 372T Time Matters
Twelve additional hours of communication studies
Required
CMS 306M Professional Communication Skills
CMS 315M Interpersonal Communication Theory
CMS 332K Theories of Persuasion
Nine hours from the following
CMS 314L Language, Communication, and Culture
CMS 330 Interpersonal Health Comm
CMS 334K Nonverbal Communication
CMS 344K Lying and Deception
CMS 354 Conflict Resolution
CMS 355K Intercultural Communication
CMS 355T Communication and Thought
CMS 357 Family Communication
CMS 358 Communication and Personal Relationships
CMS 367 Identity in Relationships
CMS 370K Internship in Communication Studies
CMS 371D Difficult Conversations
CMS 371K Practicum in Conflict Mediation
Twelve additional hours of communication studies
Required
CMS 306M Professional Communication Skills
CMS 317C Speech in American Culture
CMS 332K Theories of Persuasion
Nine hours from the following
CMS 320 Advanced Presentation Skills
CMS 322E Communication Ethics
CMS 331K Speechwriting and Criticism
CMS 332 Argumentation and Advocacy
CMS 333 Case Studies in Argumentation
CMS 338L Leadership and Public Memory
CMS 340D Expertise and Power in the Digital Commons
CMS 340K Communication and Social Change
CMS 342C Communication and Civic Participation
CMS 342K Political Communication
CMS 345 Media Effects and Politics
CMS 345G Communicating to Government
CMS 345P Communication and Public Opinion
CMS 345V American Voices
CMS 364K Gender and Communication
CMS 370K Internship in Communication Studies
CMS 372D The Politics of National Memory
CMS 373D Advocacy and Politics
CMS 374D Beyond Congress and the White House
CMS 345N Political Narratives
CMS 367 Communicating to Government
CMS 367 Political Narratives
Twelve additional hours of communication studies
Communication Studies Tracks
Archive Degree Checklists
Enrollment
- Communication Studies students may not take more than 60 hours in the College of Communication.
- At least 15 hours of major-specific coursework must be upper-division.
- Communication Studies majors may not take more than 9 hours of Communication Studies coursework per semester.
- A student may not earn both the Bachelor of Science in Communication and Leadership and the Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies.
Flags
Students should choose courses in the core curriculum and in the major requirements that also fulfill their major department's Flag requirements. The Flags required for all degrees from Moody College are:
- Writing: three courses required; one must be outside of the core curriculum
- Cultural Diversity in the United States: one course required
- Ethics: one course required
- Global Cultures: one course required
- Independent Inquiry: one course required
- Quantitative Reasoning: one course required
Electives
- Bring a student's total hours to 120
- Students can also fill elective hours declaring a minor. Students may declare only one minor or certificate to supplement their Moody major(s) and must declare their minor/certificate intentions before they have completed 65% of their degree requirements.