×
×

Common Searches

What majors does UMSL offer? Where can I sign in to Canvas? What courses are offered this semester? What are the upcoming events at UMSL? How can I get IT help? How do I request a transcript? How do I add or drop a class? Who is my advisor?
Admissions Pay Tuition Financial Aid Scholarships and Grants Alumni and Giving Athletics Visit UMSL Careers at UMSL

The B.A. in Communication is a flexible degree program that exposes students to mainstream communication research and theory while allowing the student to emphasize his or her specific area of interest.

After completing the core requirements, students may tailor their course selection to meet their personal aspirations and career goals, or choose an optional emphasis area. Selecting Communication as a major is recommended for students interested in interdisciplinary fields such as organizational communication, mass communication, information science, public relations, marketing, advertising, training and development, as well as other fields heavily influenced by the need for effective communication strategies and skills. The goals of the program are to help students learn to communicate competently and effectively in a variety of contexts and mediums. In addition, students are able to develop a strong foundation in the theory and research underlying effective communication. At the conclusion of the program, students are able to demonstrate their competence through the internship and practicum requirements.


Communication Majors

Majors must satisfy the university and college general education requirements. The college's foreign language requirement may be taken in any language. Majors must complete a minimum of 36 semester hours in Communication courses. At least 18 of these must be taken at UMSL. Furthermore, at least 12 semester hours of the Communication courses completed must be numbered 3000-4999. All students must complete the required courses and earn a C or better in all communication courses applied to the degree.  In addition, all majors must complete the core requirements:


Core Requirements

  • COMM 1030: Interpersonal Communication
  • COMM 1050: Introduction to Mass Communication
  • COMM 2231: Organizational Communication
  • COMM 2235: Professional Communication
  • COMM 2332: Intercultural Communication (formerly listed as COMM 3332)
  • COMM 3330: Communication Research Methods
  • At least 3 credit hours of Practicum (COMM 4920) -or- Internship (COMM 4950)

Emphasis Areas

While not required, the B.A. in Communication may be completed with an emphasis in one of four areas:

Applied Visual Communication

Interpersonal Communication

Mass Communication

Strategic Communication


Communication Minors

Coursework for a minor in Communication consists of 15 semester hours of the core requirements for the major.