Communication Studies Major, B.A.

Department Information

Department of Communication and Performance
PO Box 70667
Johnson City, TN 37614
(423) 439-7676
Web Address: www.etsu.edu/cas/comm_perform/

The communication studies 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 communication studies 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. Communication Studies 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 communication studies that requires 36 credits and a teaching minor that requires 24 credits.

Advising

Students with 0-59 earned credits:

Contact the Center for Advisement and Student Excellence (CASE) to schedule an appointment with your advisor. Visit the CASE website www.etsu.edu/cas/case/ and call (423) 439-5602. For more information or any questions about the program contact Dr. Wesley Buerkle by email (buerkle@etsu.edu) or phone, (423) 439-7579.

Students with 60 or more earned credits:

Dr. Wesley Buerkle
buerkle@etsu.edu
(423) 439-7579

Dr. Amber Kinser
kinsera@etsu.edu
(423) 439-7577

Transfer Students

Transfer students majoring in Communication Studies should contact the Center for Advisement and Student Excellence (CASE) for advising as soon as possible. This will ensure that the student’s previous work will be coordinated efficiently with ETSU requirements.

For general information about the department or courses, contact Dr. Amber Kinser, Department Chair at kinsera@etsu.edu or (423) 439-7676.

Degree Requirements: 120 credits

General Education	41-42 credits
Total Major Requirement	36 credits
Minor	18-24 credits
Free Electives	18-25 credits
TOTAL	120 credits

College of Arts and Sciences : Visit link to view the complete list of B.A. degree requirements.

Completion of a foreign language course numbered 2020 or above with a grade of C- or better. Students may be required to take courses numbered 1010, 1020 and/or 2010 based on a placement test or equivalent.
Non-U.S. History (3 credits)
MATH 1530 or MATH 1910

General Education Requirements

These requirements include earning 41-42 credits in Communication, Humanities and Fine Arts, Social and Behavior Sciences, History, Natural Sciences and Mathematics categories.

Communication Studies Major Requirements: 36 credits

COMM 2330 - Communication Theory (3 credits)

Choose one of the following research courses:

COMM 3300 - Qualitative Communication Research Methods (3 credits)
COMM 3330 - Quantitative Communication Research Methods (3 credits)
COMM 3340 - Rhetorical Criticism (3 credits)

Choose one of the following advanced presentation courses:

COMM 3346 - Speaking for Social Change (3 credits) ¹
COMM 3380 - Communicating in Groups (3 credits)
COMM 4346 - Business and Professional Communication (3 credits)

Choose one of the following diversity courses:

COMM 3346 - Speaking for Social Change (3 credits) ¹
COMM 4200 - Gender and Communication (3 credits)
COMM 4356 - Intercultural Communication (3 credits)
¹ COMM 3346 may be used for advanced presentation or diversity, but not to fulfill both requirements.

COMM Courses (24 credits)

Choose 24 credits of COMM courses from the following. 15 of the 24 credits CMST courses must be 3000 or 4000 level.

COMM 2045 - Public Speaking (3 credits)
COMM 2055 - Argumentation and Debate (3 credits)
COMM 2090 - Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
COMM 2325 - Speech and Debate Team (1-3 credits)
COMM 2700 - Professional Communication and Technology (3 credits)
COMM 2999 - Internship/Cooperative Education (1-3 credits)
COMM 3300 - Qualitative Communication Research Methods (3 credits)
COMM 3310 - Intrapersonal Communication Processes (3 credits)
COMM 3330 - Quantitative Communication Research Methods (3 credits)
COMM 3340 - Rhetorical Criticism (3 credits)
COMM 3346 - Speaking for Social Change (3 credits)
COMM 3350 - Relational Communication (3 credits)
COMM 3380 - Communicating in Groups (3 credits)
COMM 3390 - Persuasion (3 credits)
COMM 4018 - Honors Thesis (3-6 credits)
COMM 4200 - Gender and Communication (3 credits)
COMM 4210 - Family Communication (3 credits)
COMM 4317 - Rhetoric and Public Address (3 credits)
COMM 4327 - Popular Communication (3 credits)
COMM 4346 - Business and Professional Communication (3 credits)
COMM 4350 - Organizational Communication (3 credits)
COMM 4356 - Intercultural Communication (3 credits)
COMM 4366 - Communication Ethics (3 credits)
COMM 4377 - Health Communication (3 credits)
COMM 4380 - Communication Studies Internship (3 credits)
COMM 4417 - Teaching Secondary Speech and Theatre (3 credits)
COMM 4437 - Conducting Secondary Speech Program (3 credits)
COMM 4900 - Independent Studies (1-3 credits)
COMM 4957 - Special Topics in Communication Studies (1-6 credits)
Note: COMM 2025 does not count toward major requirements.

Minor: 18-24 credits

Free Electives: 18-25 credits

Additional Information

Click here to view Degree and Graduation Requirements for all ETSU students.

CSCI 1100 or Proficiency exam: Must be completed to meet Bachelor’s Degree Requirements.

Most minors range from 18-24 credits. Those few minors with more than 24 credits may affect the number of free electives allowed.