The Communication Studies undergraduate major equips students with a diversity of skill sets by investigating communication in various cultural contexts, including relational, organizational, intercultural, political, and more.
In an increasingly globalized world, competent communication is crucial for career advancement, interpersonal relationships, and public democratic participation. Here’s what we know: humans rely on communication, and the creation and translation of symbols, language, and messages are integral to daily interactions. In other words, communication connects us.
The major expands on fundamental public speaking principles from the introductory course through emphasizing theories, methods, performances that apply to everyday communication practices.
Undergraduate Admission
Admission to KU
All students applying for admission must send high school and college transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Prospective first-year students should be aware that KU has qualified admission requirements that all new first-year students must meet to be admitted. Consult the Office of Admissions for application deadlines and specific admission requirements.
Visit the International Support Services for information about international admissions.
Students considering transferring to KU may see how their college-level course work will transfer on the Office of Admissions website.
Students should meet with departmental academic advisor or faculty member to declare a Communication Studies major.
Requirements for the B.A. or B.G.S. Major
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| 3 |
| Public Speaking | |
| Public Speaking, Honors | |
| Interpersonal Communication | |
| |
| |
| Introduction to Political Communication | |
| Introduction to Rhetoric | |
| |
| Introduction to Organizational and Professional Communication | |
| Introduction to Intercultural Communication | |
| |
| |
| Introduction to Rhetoric and Social Influence | |
| Introduction to Rhetoric and Social Influence, Honors |
| Introduction to Behavioral Research Methods in Communication | |
| |
| Communication in a Diverse World | |
| Micro-Level Organizational Communication | |
| Communication and Gender | |
| Ethical Issues in Political Communication | |
| Rhetoric of Popular Culture | |
| Intercultural Communication: The Afro-American | |
| Communication and Culture | |
| The Rhetoric of Women's Rights | |
| East Asian Communication | |
| |
| Capstone in: _____ | |
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| Note: For students pursuing the B.G.S. degree, it is recommended that you choose one of the following courses as part of your 12 hours of required major electives, as either of these also fulfill the Career Preparation Requirement for the B.G.S. COMS 330, COMS 342 | |
Major Hours & Major GPA
While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade point average minimum standards:
Major Hours
Satisfied by 33 hours of major courses.
Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 18 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
A sample 4-year plan for the BA degree in Communication Studies can be found here: Communication Studies, or by using the left-side navigation.
A sample 4-year plan for the BGS degree in Communication Studies can be found here: Communication Studies, or by using the left-side navigation.
Departmental Honors
Outstanding undergraduates may earn departmental honors if they meet the following criteria:
- A grade-point average at the time of graduation of at least 3.5 in Communication Studies courses.
- Completion of an honors thesis involving independent research — either a single comprehensive project or an integration of several related projects. Completion requires satisfactory defense of the thesis in an oral examination and submission of a satisfactory thesis manuscript to the department office by one month before graduation. Independent research for the thesis must be conducted under the direction of a faculty member. The student must be enrolled with that instructor in 2 to 6 hours of COMS 498, usually over two semesters.
