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Communication Studies

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The Communication Studies Major

comst.las.iastate.edu

The Communication Studies Program focuses on human communication, exploring the ways humans create and negotiate meaning. Communication Studies majors master a focused course of inquiry into interpersonal processes as they create and sustain relationships and impact individuals, groups, and organizations. The Communication Studies curriculum builds primarily on social science traditions in developing a liberal arts education emphasizing human communication. Students in the Communication Studies major study applied communication theory and research in interpersonal, small group, organizational, intercultural, and other contexts. 

The Communication Studies (COMST) major teaches students how to think critically, giving them the ability to examine complex communication issues, and develop and implement strategies grounded in evidence-based research. This prepares students for careers in business and industry and graduate education. Students majoring in COMST will find their career opportunities enhanced in professions requiring applied communication expertise, e.g., human resource management, public relations, training and development, sales management, recruitment, event planning, sales, management, organizational development, business communication, law, and international and intercultural relations.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation Communication Studies majors will...

  • Develop foundational knowledge of human communication.
  • Apply human communication strategies in a diverse world.
  • Evaluate and utilize evidence-based research.
  • Cultivate communication competence.

University-wide Requirements

To meet the University’s Communication Proficiency requirement students are required to take:

ENGL 1500Critical Thinking and Communication3
ENGL 2500Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition3
or ENGL 2500H Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition: Honors
Plus one of the following:3
Business Communication
Proposal and Report Writing
Technical Communication
Business and Technical Editing
A grade of C or higher is required in ENGL 2500 Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition (or ENGL 2500H Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition, Honors).
Total Credits9

Students in all majors must complete a three-credit course in U.S. diversity and a three-credit course in international perspectives. (COMST 3100 fulfills the international perspective requirement/COMST 2100 and SPCM 3230 fulfill the U.S. diversity requirement). Approved courses are listed at: http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/courses/div-ip-guide.html. Discuss with your advisor how the two courses that you select can be applied to your graduation plan.

LAS College Requirements

As majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Communication Studies students must meet College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and University-wide requirements for graduation in addition to those stated above for the major.

LAS majors require a minimum of 120 credits, including a minimum of 45 credits at the 3000/4000 level. Students must also complete the LAS world language requirement, career proficiency requirement and LAS general education requirements. In accordance with college requirements, an overall average in Communication Studies courses of C (2.0) or better is required. This means students need a 2.0 GPA in the 33 hours taken to fulfill the major requirements in Communication Studies.

The Communication Studies Major

Communication Studies majors must earn at least 120 credits, with 45 credits at the 3000-4000 levels, and a minimum of 33 credits in COMST.

Core Requirements (15 credits)

COMST 1010Introduction to Communication Studies3
COMST 2110Interpersonal Communication3
COMST 3010Human Communication Theory3
COMST 3030Introduction to Communication Research Methods3
Plus one of the following:3
Professional Communication
Conflict Management
Communication and U.S. Diversity
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Total Credits15

 Upper Division Requirements (15 credits). Select five courses from the following

COMST 3100Intercultural Communication3
COMST 3110Relational Communication3
COMST 3130Leadership Communication Theories3
COMST 3140Organizational Communication3
COMST 3170Small Group Communication3
COMST 3190Communication Training and Development3
COMST 3250Nonverbal Communication3
COMST 3270Persuasion and Social Influence3
COMST 3300Computer Mediated Communication3
COMST 4500ASpecial Topics in Communication Studies: General3
or COMST 4500B Special Topics in Communication Studies: Health Communication
SPCM 3230Gender and Communication3
Total Credits 15

 Capstone Course Requirement (3 credits)

COMST 4040Research Seminar3

 Additional Recommended Course

STAT 1010Principles of Statistics4

Communication Studies, B.A.

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15003Elective3
COMST 10103Social Science Choice3
Humanities Choice3Humanities Choice3
LIB 16001International Perspectives Course3
Natural Science Choice3COMST 21103
COMST 10401 
 14 15
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
World Language/Elective3-4World Language/Elective3-4
ENGL 25003Elective3
Humanities Choice3Math Choice (STAT 1010 recommended)3-4
Social Science Choice3COMST 30303
COMST 2100, 2140, 2180, or SPCM 21203Natural Science Choice2-3
 LAS 20301
 15-16 15-18
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
COMST 30103Upper Division Comm. Requirement3
U.S. Diversity Choice3Upper Division Comm. Requirement3
Natural Science Choice3Humanities Choice3
Elective 3000+3Elective - 3000+3
Social Science Choice3Elective - 3000+3
 15 15
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Upper Division Comm Requirement3COMST 40403
Upper Division Comm Requirement3Upper Division Comm Requirement3
Any Elective4Verbal Comm--ENGL 3020, 3090, or 31403
Electives 3000+3Elective 3000+3
Elective 3000+3Elective 3000+3
 16 15
Total Credits: 120-124

The Communication Studies Minor (18 credits)

The requirements for a minor in COMST may be fulfilled by credit in:

COMST 1010Introduction to Communication Studies3
COMST 3010Human Communication Theory3
Select one (1) 2000-Level course:3
Communication and U.S. Diversity
Interpersonal Communication
Professional Communication
Conflict Management
Plus 3 3000-level courses, (9) credits from the following: 9
Intercultural Communication
Relational Communication
Leadership Communication Theories
Organizational Communication
Small Group Communication
Communication Training and Development
Nonverbal Communication
Persuasion and Social Influence
Computer Mediated Communication
COMST 4500ASpecial Topics in Communication Studies: General3
or COMST 4500B Special Topics in Communication Studies: Health Communication
Students must earn an overall average of C (2.0) or better in all courses taken for the minor.
The minor must include at least 9 credits that are not used to meet any other department, college, or university requirement.
Total Credits21