Speech Communication Major, B.S.

General Program Information

For the baccalaureate degree, 120 credit hours of credit must be earned and all students are required to take discipline-specific exit examinations. In addition to meeting all department requirements, majors must meet the College of Arts and Sciences requirements for B.A. and B.S. degrees.

ETSU Academic Proficiency Requirements

Writing: Students must complete a minimum of four writing-intensive courses. At least two of these courses must be in the major field of study. At least two of the four courses must be at the  3000-4000 level.

Oral Communication: Students must complete a minimum of two oral communication-intensive courses. At least one of these courses must be in the major field of study.

Using Information Technology: Students must pass the information technology proficiency exam or successfully complete CSCI 1100 - Using Information Technology  during their first calendar year or prior to accumulating 33 semester credits at ETSU. In addition, students must complete at least one using information technology-intensive course in the major field of study.

Transfer students may be subject to reduced number of intensives.

See ETSU Academic Proficiency Requirements for details.

Speech Communication Major

The speech communication major prepares students for work in a broad range of fields that require the ability to work with diverse populations and lead others, articulate ideas and arguments effectively, and critically analyze messages. The skills garnered from the speech major easily translate into careers in law, government, health administration, patient educator, family/patient advocate, social service, the ministry, public relations, sales, training and development, management, human resources, community liaison, customer relations, and the business world at large. Speech majors are natural candidates for work in social justice, civic engagement, and  diversity/equality efforts. Students will develop their skills as rhetorical critics and social scientists in the study and understanding of human communication. The department also provides a teacher education major in speech communication that requires 33 credit hours and a teaching minor that requires 24 credit hours.

TBR General Education Requirements: 41-42 Credit Hours

• ENGL 1010 - Critical Reading and Expository Writing (3 credits)
• ENGL 1020 - Critical Thinking and Argumentation (3 credits)
• Communication: Oral Communication (3 credits) *
• Mathematics (3-4 credits) *
• Natural Sciences (8 credits) *
• HIST 2010 - The United States to 1877 (3 credits)
• HIST 2020 - The United States Since 1877 (3 credits)
• Literature (3 credits) *
• Fine Arts (3 credits) *
• Humanities (3 credits) *
• Social/Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)*

Speech Major Course Requirements: 36 Credit Hours

Take the following:

• SPCH 2330 - Communication Theory (3 credits)

Minor: 18-27 credit hours

Electives: 1-13 credit hours

B.S. Requirements: 6 credit hours

Total Hours Required for Degree: 120 Credit Hours

Additional Information

Click here to view the Speech Major (B.S.) Suggested Course Sequence 

Teaching Program Information

Speech Major Teacher Education - Students interested in pursuing a teacher education program for certification as a speech communication teacher must consult regularly with two advisors—one in the College of Arts and Sciences AND one in the Office of Student Services, 321 Warf-Pickel Hall, College of Education.