Speech Communications Studies (BA)
- Program Description
- Learning Outcomes
- Portfolio Review Course Requirements
- Degree Requirements
- Required Courses
The undergraduate degree in speech communication studies provides students with an understanding of the processes of oral communication. Students are exposed to a variety of theory and skill development opportunities ranging from forensics and presentational applications to rhetorical awareness and analysis. The program offers opportunities to study in three areas: interpersonal/relational communication, professional speaking and performance, and a comprehensive general approach to the field. Each program incorporates coursework from a variety of discipline areas to provide a comprehensive theoretical and practical curriculum.
Successful graduates of this program will be able to:
- differentiate between effective interpersonal communication and ineffective interpersonal communication;
- critically relate rational communication principles to messages and contexts;
- utilize strategies to effectively adapt messages, oral and written, to audiences in an effort to achieve communication goals;
- uphold the importance of communication competence as central to transforming students for global citizenship and individual excellence.
Portfolio Review Course Requirements
A portfolio review is not required for this major. Instead, students majoring in Speech Communication Studies incorporate elements of all their coursework in their culminating senior overview.
A minimum of 128 credit hours consisting of the following:
- 51 required credit hours
- Applicable university global citizenship or general education program hours
- Electives
| SPCM 1040 Public Speaking | 3 hours |
| MEDC 1050 Introduction to Media Writing, or | |
| WRIT 1010 Composition, or | |
| JOUR 1030 Fundamentals of Reporting | 3 hours |
| SPCM 1280 Interpersonal Communication | 3 hours |
| POLT 1550 Introduction to Political Argumentation and | |
| Debate, or SPCM 2000 Forensics | 3 hours |
| MEDC 1630 Media Literacy | 3 hours |
| MEDC 2200 Ethics in the Media | 3 hours |
| SPCM 2200 Group Communication | 3 hours |
| SPCM 2400 Persuasion | 3 hours |
| SPCM 2600 Nonverbal Approaches to the Media | 3 hours |
| SPCM 3600 Rhetoric | 3 hours |
| JOUR 2380 Free Expression and the First Amendment | 3 hours |
| SPCM 3800 Communication and Diverse Populations or | |
| MEDC 3800 Studies in Cultural Diversity: Communication and Diverse Populations | 3 hours |
| SPCM 4500 Conflict Resolution | 3 hours |
| SPCM 4600 Communication Theory | 3 hours |
| SPCM 4620 Senior Overview*, or | |
| MEDC 4950 Professional Media Practicum * | 3 hours |
*Capstone Course
In addition, a minimum of 6 credit hours must be chosen from the following:
| EPMD 1000 Introduction to Media Production | 3 hours |
| SPCM 3100 Communication as Storytelling | 3 hours |
| SPCM 3150 Topics in Speech Communication Studies | 3 hours |
| MEDC 3190 Introduction to Media Research | 3 hours |
| SPCM 3300 Navigating Relationships | 3 hours |
| SPCM 3500 Presentations for Media Professionals | 3 hours |
| POLT 3550 Competitive Political Argumentation and Debate | 3 hours |
| SPCM 4610 Readings | 3 hours |
| SPCM 4616 Communication Research and Analysis | 3 hours |
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