The Communication Studies Major
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 1500 | Critical Thinking and Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 2500 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition | 3 |
| 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 Credits | 9 | |
Students in all majors must complete a three-credit course in U.S. cultures and communities (formerly 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. cultures and communities (formerly 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 1010 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 3 |
| COMST 2110 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMST 3010 | Human Communication Theory | 3 |
| COMST 3030 | Introduction to Communication Research Methods | 3 |
| Plus one of the following: | 3 | |
| Professional Communication | ||
| Conflict Management | ||
| Communication and U.S. Diversity | ||
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Upper Division Requirements (15 credits). Select five courses from the following
| COMST 3100 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COMST 3110 | Relational Communication | 3 |
| COMST 3130 | Leadership Communication Theories | 3 |
| COMST 3140 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| COMST 3170 | Small Group Communication | 3 |
| COMST 3190 | Communication Training and Development | 3 |
| COMST 3250 | Nonverbal Communication | 3 |
| COMST 3270 | Persuasion and Social Influence | 3 |
| COMST 3300 | Computer Mediated Communication | 3 |
| COMST 4500A | Special Topics in Communication Studies: General | 3 |
| or COMST 4500B | Special Topics in Communication Studies: Health Communication | |
| SPCM 3230 | Gender and Communication | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Capstone Course Requirement (3 credits)
| COMST 4040 | Research Seminar | 3 |
Additional Recommended Course
| STAT 1010 | Principles of Statistics | 4 |
Communication Studies, B.A.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 1500 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| COMST 1010 | 3 | Social Science Choice | 3 |
| Humanities Choice | 3 | Humanities Choice | 3 |
| LIB 1600 | 1 | International Perspectives Course | 3 |
| Natural Science Choice | 3 | COMST 2110 | 3 |
| COMST 1040 | 1 | ||
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| World Language/Elective | 3-4 | World Language/Elective | 3-4 |
| ENGL 2500 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Humanities Choice | 3 | Math Choice (STAT 1010 recommended) | 3-4 |
| Social Science Choice | 3 | COMST 3030 | 3 |
| COMST 2100, 2140, 2180, or SPCM 2120 | 3 | Natural Science Choice | 2-3 |
| LAS 2030 | 1 | ||
| 15-16 | 15-18 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| COMST 3010 | 3 | Upper Division Comm. Requirement | 3 |
| U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity) choice | 3 | Upper Division Comm. Requirement | 3 |
| Natural Science Choice | 3 | Humanities Choice | 3 |
| Elective 3000+ | 3 | Elective - 3000+ | 3 |
| Social Science Choice | 3 | Elective - 3000+ | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Upper Division Comm Requirement | 3 | COMST 4040 | 3 |
| Upper Division Comm Requirement | 3 | Upper Division Comm Requirement | 3 |
| Any Elective | 4 | Verbal Comm--ENGL 3020, 3090, or 3140 | 3 |
| Electives 3000+ | 3 | Elective 3000+ | 3 |
| Elective 3000+ | 3 | Elective 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 1010 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 3 |
| COMST 3010 | Human Communication Theory | 3 |
| 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 | ||
| Special Topics in Communication Studies: General | ||
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 Credits | 18 | |