Undergraduate Programs

A degree in communication studies will serve the academic and career objectives of a variety of students. As a vital component of a liberal arts education, competence in oral communication is a requirement for most positions in business and industry. A major in communication studies provides an understanding of the interpersonal and public communication processes needed for careers in teaching, research, or business organizations as well as a foundation for further professional or academic study. Students also develop competencies in public speaking, listening, interviewing and group communication as well as everyday human relations.

Students may declare a major in communication as an incoming first-year student, transfer student, or by requesting a change of major through the TCU Registrar’s office. In order to declare the major, current TCU students must be in good standing with the University, including an overall GPA of at least a 2.0.

Majors taking classes counting toward departmental degree requirements must take them for graded credit. Any courses completed in the department receiving a pass under the Pass/No-Credit Policy before the student declares communication studies as a major will count as University electives but will not count toward the hour requirement to satisfy the major. Students may not receive credit toward the communication studies major for both COMM 10123 and COMM 10133.

All courses counted toward a major or minor in communication studies must have a grade of “C” (2.0 GPA) or better. Please note: “C-“ does not meet this requirement.

John V. Roach Honors College

Communication Studies majors who plan to pursue departmental honors must be members of the Honors College and should take COMM 30003 their junior year and COMM 40003 their senior year. Honors students should consult with the department chair concerning additional guidelines.

Communication Studies Degrees

The Department of Communication Studies offers both the Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees.

The BS with a major in Communication Studies consists of a total of 124 semester hours: 36 semester hours in Communication Studies, including COMM 10123 or 10133, 20113, 20223 and 30163. It is expected that these four courses will be completed within the first 18 hours of COMM coursework. Additional requirements include either a minor of 18 semester hours or a second major, plus core curriculum requirements as described elsewhere in the catalog.

Starting Fall 2016, students may declare a degree in Communication Studies at any time.  Required courses remain: COMM 10123 (Communicating Effectively), 20113 (Interpersonal), 20223 (Theory), and 30163 (Organizational). Additionally:

*All of the changes listed above apply ONLY to Communication Studies majors seeking a B.S. degree and declaring a major in Communication Studies after the Summer 2016.  If you have any questions about course prerequisites, enrollments, or degree requirements, please see your advisor or Dr. Melissa Schroeder, the Communication Studies Department Chair.

The BA with a major in Communication Studies consists of a total of 124 semester hours: 27 semester hours in communication studies, including COMM 10123 or 10133, 2011320223 and 30163. Additionally, the BA requires 6 hours of foreign language at the sophomore level or higher.  It is expected that the four required COMM courses will be completed within the first 18 hours of COMM coursework. Additional requirements include either a minor of 18 semester hours or a second major, plus core curriculum requirements.

Requirements for Minor

A minor requires 18 semester hours, including COMM 10123 or 10133, COMM 20113 and a sequence of approved courses. A minimum of six hours must be at the 30000 level or above. Students may not receive credit toward the communication studies minor for both COMM 10123 and 10133.

Minors taking classes counting toward departmental requirements must take them for graded credit. Any courses completed in the department receiving a pass under the Pass/No-Credit Policy before declaring speech communication as a minor, will count as University electives, but not toward the hour requirement to satisfy the minor.