Undergraduate Information

Communication Studies Major

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In order to enhance the educational experience of its students, the Department of Communication Studies accepts majors on a restricted and competitive basis. There are two steps to applying for the Communication Studies major.

1. Meet the minimum requirements to apply for the major.
2. Apply for the major.

Both steps are described here in detail.

Step 1: Satisfy the minimum requirements to apply for the major.

1. Complete a minimum of 30 hours of university or college-level coursework (transfer students must have an equivalent number of hours accepted by the college).
2. Complete COMS 130 (unless they have received a waiver or, in the case of transfer students, an equivalent course).
3. Complete at least one of: COMS 104, 235, 244, 246, 310, 332, or an equivalent course at another university, college or community college.
4. Earn an overall GPA of at least 2.0
5. Earn a GPA of at least 2.5 in all completed COMS courses.

Note: Students should apply to the COMS major before completing 12 hours of Communication Studies courses. Students will not be admitted to the major simply because they have completed a large number of COMS courses.

Step 2: Apply for the major.

1. Complete the application form, a current ARTS forms, and submit the completed application to the Department of Communication Studies, Bailey 102 by the deadlines described below.
2. Applications are only accepted during the last two weeks in August and the last two weeks in January.

Evaluation of applications to the major
Evaluations of applications will be made by the Undergraduate Committee of the Department of Communication Studies in consultation with other members of the department. The acceptance of applicants will be influenced by the number of slots for majors open in the department in a given semester, which may vary according to the resources of the department and the number of majors graduating or leaving the department. Because there may be more applicants than available slots, meeting the minimal criteria does not guarantee admission to the major .

Determinations of an individual student's admission will be based on the following criteria:

• COMS GPA and overall GPA relative to the other students applying at the same time.
• The content of an essay in which you select a concept (or set of concepts) you have learned in a Communication Studies course, and apply it to a communication situation
• Consideration of special circumstances as stated by the student on the application form such as membership in a protected class, extraordinary problems which led to a lower GPA, failure to apply to the major in a timely fashion although the student had completed more than six hours satisfactorily, etc.
• If necessary, consultations with the COMS faculty members or instructors listed by the student as references and a supplementary interview with the student.

Students whose performance shows considerable progress over time, who offer particularly engaging rationales for wishing to major in the department, or who demonstrate considerable concern for their studies will receive favorable attention. In addition, the Department of Communication Studies faculty is committed to promoting cultural diversity in its programs. Therefore, the committee evaluating applications for the major will be guided by principles of affirmative action in making its decisions.

Notification of the results of application will be made no later than October 15 and March 15 for Fall and Spring semesters, respectively. Students denied acceptance into the major may reapply in a subsequent application session.

Note: The Communication Studies Department also offers a minor, which requires COMS 130 and 18 additional hours of COMS coursework. The minor does not require admission.

Click here for the Application form for the Coms Major.