Communication Studies, BAC

Department website: https://comstudies.ua.edu/undergraduate/

Overview

The Communication Studies major provides students with an integrated skill set in oral and written communication that prepares them to be competent communicators in their personal, civic, and professional roles.

The major offers foundational courses in communication theory and methods, along with emphasis areas in interpersonal communication, organizational leadership, and rhetoric and political discourse.

By teaching students to think critically, to express and advocate ideas effectively, and to understand and appreciate the diversity of human communication practices, the major in Communication Studies prepares graduates to work as communication professionals in a variety of contexts.

The major is 36 credit hours. All students with a major in Communication Studies must also complete a minor of their choice unless they are pursuing more than one major. Communication Studies majors can pursue more than one minor but they cannot select a minor offered by the Department of Communication Studies.

Students are encouraged to speak with their advisor to identify appropriate minor options. In completing a minor, students are required to fulfill the requirements of the department that offers the minor. All students must complete a minimum of six hours in residence of courses numbered 300 or above in the minor.

Co-Curricular Student Activities

The department supports a diversified program of co-curricular student activities in competitive speaking and individual events, argumentation and debate, and in peer consulting through The Speaking Studio. Members of the Alabama Forensic Council participate in regional and national intercollegiate competitions. Students in the Alabama Debate Society participate in high school debate outreach as well as exhibitions.

Students in the Public Speaking Program may compete for the Oscar Newton Outstanding Speaker Prize, as well as for the coveted Holle Award for Excellence in Public Speaking. 

Majors who meet the requirements for membership in Lambda Pi Eta are invited to join the honor society and to participate in its service activities. All majors and minors are encouraged to get involved with The "COM Club" which focuses on both professional development and social engagement.

Accelerated Masters Program (AMP) in Communication Studies

Open only to eligible UA Communication Studies majors -- students admitted into this program are able to earn both bachelors and masters degrees in communication studies at The University of Alabama in five years. For the highly motivated and academically gifted student, this program offers several distinct advantages:

  • Faster, more economical plan of study than earning the two degrees separately
  • Richer undergraduate degree experience, fewer unrelated core courses, and more courses in the communication studies major
  • Stronger mentoring relationship with the communication studies faculty
  • Greater opportunity to develop understanding of the field in preparation for advanced graduate study

Students may apply for admission into this program through the Graduate School admission process. Admission to the Graduate School will be granted if the student has (a) met all the admission criteria for the graduate program, (b) completed three-fourths of the hours required for the major and the minor, and (c) been recommended for admission by the department. Upon admission to the Graduate School, the student will be allowed to take graduate-level courses and begin a program of study leading to the Master of Arts in communication studies.  Once enrolled in AMP, communication studies students may count up to 12 hours of credit dually (toward both degrees).

For more information, contact the College's Registrar. 

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