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 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 |
| 3 |
| Business Communication | |
| Proposal and Report Writing | |
| Technical Communication | |
| Business and Technical Editing | |
| |
| |
| Total Credits | 9 |
Students in all majors must complete a three-credit course in U.S. cultures and communities 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 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 |
| 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
Capstone Course Requirement (3 credits)
Additional Recommended Course
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 |
| 3 |
| Communication and U.S. Diversity | |
| Interpersonal Communication | |
| Professional Communication | |
| Conflict Management | |
| 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 | |
| Special Topics in Communication Studies: Health Communication |
| |
| |
| Total Credits | 18 |
