Communication / 29
The Bachelor of Arts in Communication and the Bachelor of Science in Communication each have options for concentrated study in one of four areas: Public Relations (comprehensive, no minor required), Organizational Communication (comprehensive, no minor required), Interpersonal Communication (minor required), and Rhetoric (minor required).
The Public Relations options combine communication courses with appropriate coursework in management, marketing, and mass media to provide a broad preparation for various careers within the public relations field. No minor is required for these programs.
The Organizational Communication options augment the studies of communication theory and performance with courses in management, psychology, and writing designed to prepare students for the myriad of careers within organizational communication.
The Interpersonal Communication options seek to understand how communication creates and shapes relationships to prepare for careers in human resources, training and development, social work, counseling, and clinical psychology or continuation in graduate study.
The Rhetoric options develop effective critical thinking skills and understanding of ethical issues to understand persuasive communication in order to prepare for careers in law, social service, or political fields, or continuation in graduate study.
The comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Education in Speech/Theatre (55 hours) prepares students to teach and direct speech and theatre in secondary schools. This major does not require a minor and, when completed under the B.S.Ed., Secondary Education Program, meets the State of Missouri teacher certification standards for grades 9-12.
The non-comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Education in Speech/Theatre (38 hours) requires a minor. This major, when completed under the B.S.Ed., Secondary Education Program, also meets the State of Missouri teacher certification standards for grades 9-12.
The minor in Communication is comprised of 24 hours. Minors are required to take the 15-hour communication core and an additional 9 hours in an area of emphasis (Public Relations, Organizational Communication, Interpersonal Communication or Rhetoric).
A minor in Speech/Theatre Education (32 hours) is available to students majoring in another area. This minor, when completed under the B.S.Ed., Secondary Education Program, meets the State of Missouri teacher certification standards for grades 9-12.
The school also offers an endorsement in Speech/Theatre for students seeking Missouri Middle School (grades 5-9) certification. The middle school program is advised through the College of Education and Human Services.
Test-Out Policy
Test-out is available for COM 29102, Fundamentals of Oral Communication. For further information, contact the director of the COM 29102 program.
Please refer to the “Departmental Test-Out” information contained in the “Academic Policies” section of the catalog for policy information. Students should contact the school for additional details.
Speech/Theatre Education Directing Requirement
All candidates for the B.S.Ed. degree with a secondary speech/theatre major must demonstrate their ability to direct a complete theatrical presentation that is approved by department faculty. Opportunities for meeting this requirement will be discussed with the academic advisor and include lab series, second stage, and external venue shows. THEA 43373 Directing must be successfully completed with a grade of C or better prior to attempting this requirement.
Advanced Standing Requirement
Students majoring in the communication programs must complete University Seminar (1 hour), English Composition (6 hours), Oral Communication (3 hours), and Mathematics (3-4 hours) by the end of the sophomore year. A student must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 for all courses listed above. No major in the school may be enrolled in and pursue advanced school courses (numbered 300 or above) until these courses and the specific advanced standing requirements for the student’s major are met.
Students seeking exemption, or who are not granted advanced standing in communication may appeal by submitting a written petition to the Director of the School of Communication and Mass Media.
Communication Majors
Students seeking a major or a minor in communication are expected to demonstrate a capacity to integrate principles of spoken and written communication and sufficient commitment to expand their knowledge in order to successfully pursue advanced study.
To achieve communication advanced standing, a student must have completed at least six hours of 200-level courses or equivalent in communication.