Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Communication Studies Major, B.A. (Communication Studies Concentration)


Department Information


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

The Communication Studies major, with concentrations in Communication Studies and Storytelling, prepares students with the essential career competencies that employers seek most often: managing conflict, working in and leading teams, embracing diversity, communicating ethically, and communicating like a professional be it a memo, a one-on-one interview, a sales pitch, or corporate seminar. Skills garnered from the Communication Studies concentration prepare students for entry to law school and counseling programs as well as work in strategic communication, health administrator, patient education and advocacy, social services, the ministry, human resources, sales, training and development, customer relations, and management. The major is also excellent preparation for work in social justice, civic engagement, and diversity/equality efforts. 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) 439-7676.

Students with 60 or more earned credits:

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

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. Wesley Buerkle, Department Chair at buerkle@etsu.edu or (423) 439-7676.

Degree Requirements: 120 credits


General Education 41-42 credits
Total Major Requirement 36 credits
Core 15 credits
Concentration 21 credits
Minor 18-24 credits
Free Electives 18-25 credits
TOTAL 120 credits

Suggested Four-Year Program of Study: CMST-BA (Communication Studies Concentration)  


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 Requirements: 36 credits


Communication Studies Core Requirements: 15 credits


Primary Skills Elective: 3 credits


Choose three credits from the following:

Professional Development Elective: 3 credits


Choose three credits from the following:

Communication Studies Concentration Requirements: 21 credits


Communication Research Elective: 3 credits


Choose three credits from the following:

Communication & Culture Elective: 3 credits


Choose three credits from the following:

Communication in Relationships Elective: 3 credits


Choose three credits from the following:

Advisor Approved Electives: 12 credits


Choose 12 credits in consultation with an advisor. A minimum of six credits must be at the 3000 or 4000 level.

  • Any COMM course
  • Any STOR course

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.