BA in Communication Studies

Below is a sample 4-year plan for students pursuing the BA in Communication Studies.  To view the list of courses approved to fulfill KU Core Goals, please visit the KU Core website.

Freshman
FallHoursSpringHours
ENGL 101 (Goal 2.1 Written Communication/BA Writing I)13ENGL 102 (Goal 2.1 Written Communication/BA Writing II)3
1st Semester Language (BA Second Language)52nd Semester Language (BA Second Language)5
First Year Seminar (Goal 1.1 Critical Thinking)3COMS 207 or 2323
COMS 130 or 131 (Goal 2.2 Communication, Major Requirement)23Goal 3 Natural Science3
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours61BA Laboratory/Field Experience (LFE)1-2
 15 15-16
Sophomore
FallHoursSpringHours
3rd Semester Language (BA Second Language)34th Semester Language, or 1st semester of Another Language, unless req for mjr (BA Second Language)3-5
Goal 3 Social Science3Goal 4.1 US Diversity3
COMS 210, 244, or 246 (Major Requirement)3COMS 3553
COMS 210, 244, 246, 207, or 232 (Major Requirement)3Goal 3 Arts and Humanities3
Goal 1.2 Quantitative Reasoning3COMS Elective 300+ (Major Requirement)3
 15 15-17
Junior
FallHoursSpringHours
Goal 5 Social Responsibility and Ethics3Goal 4.2 Global Awareness3
COMS 3563COMS Elective 300+ (Major Requirement)3
COMS Elective 300+ (Major Requirement)3COMS Elective 300+ (Major Requirement)3
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours63Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours63
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours63Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours63
 15 15
Senior
FallHoursSpringHours
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Ethical Communication Behavior course53COMS 496 (Goal 6 Integration & Creativity, Major Requirement)3
COMS Elective 300+ (Major Requirement)3Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours63
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours63Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours63
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours63Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours63
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours63Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours63
 15 15
Total Hours 120-123
1

The BA requires completion of two courses of collegiate-level writing instruction. Students who test out of Composition will still need to complete ENGL 102 (or equivalent) and one additional Goal 2.1 course.  

2

The COMS 130/COMS 131 requirement can also be fulfilled by exemption.

3

COMS 356 is required for the major and requires admission to the major in order to be able to enroll.

4

Visit this website for a list of courses that fulfill the BA Quantitative Reasoning requirement. 

5

See degree requirements for list of eligible courses.

6

Hour requirements (incl. 45 jr/sr hrs) are typically met through KU core, degree, major, second area of study and/or elective hours.  Students completing the BGS with a major must choose a secondary area of study.  Individual degree mapping is done in partnership with your advisor.

Please note:

All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are required to complete 120 total hours of which 45 hours must be at the Jr/Sr (300+) level.

The same course cannot be used to fulfill more than one KU Core Goal. However, overlap of a KU Core course with a major or degree-specific requirement is allowed. Overlapping is recommended to allow more opportunities to explore other majors and/or minors.