Communication Major, Relational Communication Concentration (B.A.)

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This program is designed to prepare students who anticipate a career in written, verbal, or media communication and will enable students to apply critical thinking skills in the application of biblical principles to the field of communication.

Program Requirements

I. Christian Studies - 24 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits *
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits *
BIB 434 - Romans 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
CHM 201 - Spiritual and Leadership Development 3 Credits
or
CHM 300 - Spiritual and Personal Formation 3 Credits
CHM 210 - Missions in Perspective 3 Credits
or
CHM 325 - Biblical Evangelism and Missions 3 Credits
THE 231 - Christian Doctrine 3 Credits

II. General Education - 39 Credits

COM 133 - Speech 3 Credits
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits
FAR - Fine Arts Elective 3 Credits ⁴
Global Awareness Elective 3 Credits ³
HIS 133 - World Civilizations to 1500 3 Credits
or
HIS 134 - World Civilizations since 1500 3 Credits
HIS - History Elective 3 Credits
Humanities Elective 3 Credits ¹
MAT - Math Elective 4 Credits
PED - P.E. Elective or Varsity Team Sport 1 Credits
SCI - Lab Science Elective 4 Credits
Social Science Elective 3 Credits ²
Social Science Elective 3 Credits ²

III. Communication Core - 22 Credits

COM 140 - Perspectives in Communication 3 Credits
COM 150 - Writing for Communication 3 Credits
COM 252 - Interpersonal Communication 3 Credits
COM 315 - Media and Culture 3 Credits
COM - Communication Practicum 4 Credits
COM 450 - Communication Internship 3 Credits
COM 461 - Communication Portfolio 3 Credits

IV. Communication Concentrations (select one) - 15 Credits:

V. Minor/Electives - 25 Credits *

General Electives 10 Credits
300-400 General Electives 15 Credits

At least 30% of this degree, or a minimum of 38 credits, must be at the upper (300-400) level. If you choose to take lower-level Christian Studies core classes (CHM 201 or CHM 210 ), then you must take enough upper-level general electives to meet this requirement.

Relational Communication Concentration Requirements - 15 Credits

COM 310 - Persuasive Communication 3 Credits
COM 339X - Intercultural Communication 3 Credits
COM 456 - Group and Organizational Communication 3 Credits

Select at least six hours from:

COM - 300-400 Communication Elective(s) 3–6 Credits
BUS 221 - Business Communication 3 Credits
SOC 325 - Parent-Child Relationships 3 Credits *
SOC 330 - Qualitative Research Methods 3 Credits *
SOC 434 - Marriage and the Family 3 Credits *

Total - 125 Credits

¹ Select humanities electives from COM, ENG, ESL, FAR, HIS, HUM, LAN, MUS, PHI, or PRC.

² Select social science electives from ANT, CSJ, ECO, ESL, GEO, HIS, POL, PSY, or SOC.

³ Click here for a list of Global Awareness courses.

⁴ Fine arts courses include music, art, drama, and dance. COM 328 and COM 446 also qualify as fine arts electives. (Only three credits of music organizations and/or lessons can be counted toward humanities/fine arts requirements.)

* Some courses from the Christian Studies Core and Major Core can be used to fulfill requirements in the General Education Core. By doing that the number of electives needed would increase so that the minimum of 125 credits is reached.

Recommended Electives:

FAR 123 - Introduction to Art 3 Credits
PSY 130 - General Psychology 3 Credits *
SOC 230 - Sociology 3 Credits *

Four-Year Suggested Program for the Communication Major with the Relational Communication Concentration

Freshman Year

Fall Semester - 16 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits
or
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits
COM 133 - Speech 3 Credits
COM 140 - Perspectives in Communication 3 Credits
COM 155A - Communication Practicum I 1 Credits
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
HIS 133 - World Civilizations to 1500 3 Credits
or
Social Science Elective 3 Credits ²

Spring Semester - 14 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits
or
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits
COM 150 - Writing for Communication 3 Credits
COM 155B - Communication Practicum II 1 Credits
ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits
HIS 134 - World Civilizations since 1500 3 Credits
or
Social Science Elective 3 Credits ²
PED - P. E. Elective or Varsity Team Sport 1 Credits

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester - 17 Credits

COM 255A - Communication Practicum III 1 Credits
COM 339X - Intercultural Communication 3 Credits
FAR - Fine Arts Elective 3 Credits
SCI - Lab Science Elective 4 Credits
THE 231 - Christian Doctrine 3 Credits
Minor/Elective 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 17 Credits

BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
COM 252 - Interpersonal Communication 3 Credits
COM 255B - Communication Practicum IV 1 Credits
HIS - History Elective 3 Credits
MAT - Math Elective 4 Credits
Humanities Elective 3 Credits ¹

Departmental Acceptance

Students apply for departmental acceptance during their sophomore year spring semester or their junior year fall semester. A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and completion of half of the Christian Service requirements are required for departmental admission in the Communication major.

Junior Year

Fall Semester - 16 Credits

CHM 201 - Spiritual and Leadership Development 3 Credits
or
CHM 300 - Spiritual and Personal Formation 3 Credits
COM 315 - Media and Culture 3 Credits
COM - Communication Elective 3 Credits
Global Awareness Elective 3 Credits ³
Minor/Elective 4 Credits

Spring Semester - 15 Credits

BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
CHM 210 - Missions in Perspective 3 Credits
or
CHM 325 - Biblical Evangelism and Missions 3 Credits
COM 310 - Persuasive Communication 3 Credits
Minor/Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
Minor/Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits

Senior Year

Fall Semester - 15 Credits

BIB 434 - Romans 3 Credits
COM 450 - Communication Internship 3 Credits
COM - Communication Elective 3 Credits
Social Science Elective 3 Credits ²
Minor/Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 15 Credits

COM 456 - Group and Organizational Communication 3 Credits
COM 461 - Communication Portfolio 3 Credits
Minor/Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
Minor/Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
Minor/Elective 3 Credits