School of Communication

[1] Purposes

COMMUNICATION: Courses in the program teach students how to effectively gather, analyze, synthesize, and present information to audiences in meaningful and engaging ways. The program focuses on theories, concepts, and best practices in verbal and nonverbal communication, as well as using different forms of media to inform, educate, and persuade audiences across various contexts and cultures. We offer a major and minor in communication.

PUBLIC RELATIONS: The public relations program is a collaborative, service learning-focused curriculum that equips students with both practical skills to get jobs as professional communicators and the strategic theory necessary to turn those into thriving careers helping people and organizations find their voice. Graduates advocate on behalf of businesses, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and public figures in entertainment, politics and sports.

JOURNALISM: We offer professional training in the areas of broadcast, online, and print journalism. We also seek to educate interested non-professionals who seek to become participating members of a knowledgeable audience. Additionally, through broadcast, print, and online productions, students and faculty of the program share their work with mass media audiences. MCOM 1300 Media and Society supports the UCA Core program’s emphasis on responsible living, and we offer a major (with broadcast, online, and print options) and minor in journalism.

WRITING, RHETORIC, AND INFORMATION DESIGN: In addition to offering general education writing courses supporting the university’s emphasis on writing and thinking skills across the curriculum, we offer a variety of courses in rhetoric and composition, technical and professional writing, and the teaching of writing. We offer majors and minors in writing studies and technical and professional writing.

FIRST YEAR WRITING program courses—WRTG 1310 Introduction to College Writing and WRTG 1320 Academic Writing and Research—support the UCA Core program’s emphasis on effective communication.

COMM 1300 Principles of Communication supports the UCA Core’s emphasis on critical inquiry and effective communication.

[2] Facilities and Resources

State-of-the-art facilities support our programs. Journalism is housed in a facility that includes a television production studio, news room, audio studios, Adobe Creative Suite, two computer labs, and production areas.

[3] Honors in the Majors

Students who major in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations or Writing and who demonstrate exceptional ability may be invited to enter the Honors in the Major Program. For details, see Honors in the Major Program.

[4] Baccalaureate Degrees

[4.1] Bachelor of Arts in Communication

[Back to program-of-study links]

The degree of Bachelor of Arts with a major in communication requires the successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) 40 upper-division hours; (3) a major and related course requirements as described below; and (4) a minor as arranged through the student’s minor advisor.

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Communication enter the Quantitative Literacy Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1360 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.

[4.1.1] Major in Communication (34 hours)

Required Communication Core Courses (15 hours)

Electives (15 hours)

Required Capstone Courses (4 hours)

[4.1.2] Related Course Requirement (6 hours)

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Communication requires completion of six (6) hours in any foreign language (FREN, GERM, SPAN, etc.) at any level (excluding 2340 and 2V12) and/or sign language (CSD 2303). Students with no prior language experience should enroll in SPAN 1310, FREN 1310, GERM 1310, JAPN 1310, or CHIN 1410.

Students with previous language experience (including high school courses) should take the placement exam administered by the School of Language and Literature and enroll in the level of their placement. Students may apply for up to six (6) hours of credit by examination in Spanish, French, German, or Japanese and up to 8 hours in Chinese for coursework below the level of placement as outlined in the Placement and Credit by Examination policy.

In cases of unusually thorough preparation, or in the case of international students, exemption may be sought from the School of Language and Literature.

[4.2] Bachelor of Science in Communication

[Back to program-of-study links]

The degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in communication requires the successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) 40 upper-division hours; (3) a major and related course requirements as described below; and (4) a minor as arranged through the student’s minor advisor.

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Communication enter the Quantitative Literacy Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1360 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.

[4.2.1] Major in Communication (34 hours)

Required Communication Core Courses (15 hours)

Required BS Communication Core Courses (12 hours)

Electives BS Communication Courses (3 hours)

Required BS Capstone Courses (4 hours)

Note 1

Note 2

[4.2.2] Related Course Requirements (6–8 hours)

Students have two options for completing the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Communication Related Course Requirements.

Option 1

In addition to the Lower-Core requirements in mathematics and science, complete two courses in mathematics (MATH) or two courses in laboratory science (e.g., BIOL, CHEM, etc.) or any combination of the two (e.g., one MATH and one BIOL).

Option 2

Complete one of the following courses in statistical methods (PSYC 2330 Psychology Statistics, PSCI 2312 Statistical Methods for Political Analysis, or SOC 2321 Social Statistics) and PRLS 3315 Applied Research Methods in Public Relations.

[4.2.3] Minor in Communication (21 hours)

[Back to program-of-study links]

Required Courses (9 hours)

Electives (12 hours, chosen from the following, with at least 9 hours at the 3000-/4000-level)

[4.3] Bachelor of Arts in Journalism

[Back to program-of-study links]

The degree of Bachelor of Arts with a major in journalism requires the successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses (see UCA Core); (2) the core journalism courses; (3) required, elective, and application courses for one of the journalism emphasis areas as described below; (4) JOUR 3321 (internship); (5) related degree requirements; and (6) a minor as arranged through the student’s minor advisor.

[4.3.1] Major in Journalism (43 hours)

Undergraduate Core courses are used to satisfy the lower-division UCA Core requirement in Diversity, Critical Inquiry, Responsible Living, and Effective Communication and Journalism and Mass Communication courses are used to satisfy the upper-division UCA Core requirements in Diversity, Critical Inquiry, Responsible Living, and Effective Communication. Students will take JOUR 3321, Internship, as the required UCA Core capstone.

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Journalism enter the Quantitative Literacy Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1360 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.

Journalism core (21 hours)

Electives (9 hours, chosen from the following)

Application courses (4 hours)

All students must complete 1 credit hour at each level for a total of 4 hours. (Each level many be repeated for a maximum 2 hours of credit). Broadcast Journalism students must take Electronic Media Applications. Online Journalism students must complete at least one hour of Print and one hour of Electronic Applications among the four hours. Print Journalism students must take Print Media Applications.

OR

Internship (3 hours)

[4.3.2] Emphasis Areas

Required (6 hours) – Must complete both courses in at least one of the three options.

Broadcast Journalism Emphasis

Online Journalism Emphasis

Print Journalism Emphasis

[4.3.3] Related Course Requirements

A journalism major must complete one of these options.

Option 1: Qualitative (3–6 hours)

Successfully complete six hours of any foreign language(s) at any level or sign language or computer programming language; or, if qualified, successfully complete a 2000-level or upper-division foreign language course (excluding 2340 and 2V12).

Students with no prior language experience should enroll in SPAN 1310, FREN 1310, GERM 1310, JAPN 1310, or CHIN 1410. Students with previous language experience (including high school courses) should take the placement exam administered by the School of Language and Literature and enroll in the level of their placement. Students may apply for up to six (6) hours of credit by examination in Spanish, French, German, or Japanese and up to 8 hours in Chinese for coursework below the level of placement as outlined in the Placement and Credit by Examination policy.

In cases of unusually thorough preparation, or in the case of international students, exemption may be sought from the School of Language and Literature.

Option 2: Quantitative (6–8 hours)

Two (2) classes in mathematics and/or laboratory science in addition to the lower-division core requirements. Science classes do not have to be in the same area. Students may take one mathematics course and one science course.

[4.3.4] Minor in Journalism (26 hours)

[Back to program-of-study links]

Journalism Minor Core (8 hours)

Electives (18 hours, chosen from the following courses)

Prerequisite courses for all other courses—except Media Applications, MCOM 1300, and JOUR 2300—may be taken concurrently.

[4.4] Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations

[Back to program-of-study links]

The degree of Bachelor of Arts with a major in public relations requires the successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) 40 upper-division hours; (3) major requirements specified below; (4) related course requirement as specified below; and (5) a minor as arranged through the student’s minor advisor.

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Public Relations enter the Quantitative Literacy Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1360 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.

[4.4.1] Major in Public Relations (40 hours)

Core Courses (15 hours):

Application Courses (22 hours):

Electives (3 hours, chosen from the following):

[4.4.2] Related Course Requirements

Required (6 hours): Complete one of the options below. Note that courses fulfilling the related course requirements cannot count toward both the related course requirements and the major.

Option 1: Global Competence

Complete six (6) hours in a single foreign language at the 1000-level or three (3) hours at the 2000-level or above (excluding 2340 and 2V12) in a foreign language.

Students with no prior language experience should enroll in SPAN 1310, FREN 1310, GERM 1310, JAPN 1310, or CHIN 1410. Students with previous language experience (including high school courses) should take the placement exam administered by the School of Language and Literature and enroll in the level of their placement. Students may apply for up to six (6) hours of credit by examination in Spanish, French, German, or Japanese and up to 8 hours in Chinese for coursework below the level of placement as outlined in the Placement and Credit by Examination policy.

In cases of unusually thorough preparation, or in the case of international students, exemption may be sought from the School of Language and Literature.

Option 2: Analytical Competence

Complete one approved introductory statistics course (CISA 2330 Business Statistics, PSCI 2312 Statistical Methods for Political Analysis, PSYC 2330 Psychological Statistics, or SOC 2321 Social Statistics); AND complete PRLS 3315 Applied Research Methods in Public Relations.

[4.4.3] Minor in Public Relations (19 hours)

[Back to program-of-study links]

Required Courses (4 hours)

Elective Courses (15 hours)

At least 12 hours of electives must be from PRLS courses.

[4.5] Bachelor of Arts in Writing, Rhetoric, and Information Design

The degree of Bachelor of Arts with a major in Writing, Rhetoric, and Information Design requires successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: completion of 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and completion of upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) completion of major requirements and related course requirements as described below; (3) 40 upper-division hours; and (4) completion of a minor.

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Writing enter the Quantitative Literacy Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1360 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.

[4.5.1] Major in Writing, Rhetoric, and Information Design (36 hours)

[Back to program-of-study links]

Writing courses may be used to satisfy the lower-division UCA Core requirement in Critical Inquiry (I) and the upper-division UCA Core requirement in Diversity (D), Critical Inquiry (I), Responsible Living (R), and Effective Communication (C). Students in the Technical and Professional Writing track may take WRID 4308 Writing for Change as the required UCA Core capstone.

Writing, Rhetoric, and Information Design Major Requirements (12 hours)

Related Course Requirement (6 hours or 3 hours)

In addition to major and track requirements, complete six hours of language (options: foreign language, sign language, and/or programming language) at any level or three hours in a foreign language at the 2000 level. Options for programming language consist of the following courses: CSCI 1470, CSCI 1480, CSCI 2340, CSCI 3381, CSCI 4357, CISA 3300, CISA 3301, CISA 3339, and CISA 3362.

Writing Studies Track (24 hours)

Required Courses (15 hours)

Choose Three (9 hours)

Technical and Professional Writing Track (24 hours)

Required Courses (9 hours)

Choose Three (9 hours)

Choose Two (6 hours)

[4.5.2] Minors in Writing, Rhetoric, and Information Design (24 hours)

Minor in Writing Studies (24 hours)

[Back to program-of-study links]

Required courses (18 hours)

Electives (6 hours, chosen from the following)

Minor in Technical and Professional Writing (24 hours)

[Back to program-of-study links]

Required courses (18 hours)

Electives (6 hours) from the following

[5] Resources

[5.1] The Center for Writing and Communication

The Center for Writing and Communication (CWC), located in Thompson Hall 109, https://www.uca.edu/cwc/, offers individual assistance with all types of writing and oral presentations. Students may schedule time with a trained peer tutor and use the center’s computers, video cameras, and writing materials to develop essays or presentations for any course at the university. The center also provides handouts and free workshops on various oral and written communication topics. Call 450-5123 or use the online scheduler (linked from the CWC home page) to book appointments.

[6] Course Links

Follow this link to COMM course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link to CRWR course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link to JOUR course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link to LING course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link to MCOM course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link to PRLS course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link to WRID course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link to WRTG course descriptions: course link.