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for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Communication
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
Communication Major
The communication major is designed to provide broad-based competencies in oral and written communication, critical analysis of human discourse, and social scientific and humanistic research methods. The major also emphasizes how this theoretical knowledge is applied in specific contexts ranging from personal relationships to business management to public advocacy.
Major requirements (42 units)
Fundamental communication processes and skills (6 units)
Select two from COMM 3, 4, 5,
7, 8,
15
Core competencies (12 units)
COMM 100, 140,
142, 166
Personal and professional communication (18 units)
Select a minimum of two courses in each area
- Personal and relational settings: COMM 108, 120, 150, 161, 162, 164
- Advocacy in public settings: COMM 103, 105, 115**, 148, 149, 163, 170
- Organizational and professional settings: COMM 165, 167, 168, 176, 179
Electives in major (6 units)**
Select a minimum of two upper-division courses from settings above and/or
COMM 114, 115,
160, 169,
171, 188T,
189, 190
General Education requirements (51 units)
Electives and remaining degree requirements (27-33 units)*
Total (120 units)
__________
* See Advising Note 1.
** See Advising Note 2.
Advising Notes
- This total indicates that 6 units of COMM 3, 5, 7 and/or 8 also may be applied to fulfill General Education Foundation A1 and A3 requirements.
- No more than 3 units from COMM 15 and 6 units from COMM 115 can count toward fulfillment of the communication major. No more than 3 units from COMM 115 can be applied to the Advocacy inn Public Settings Area.
- CR/NC grading is not permitted in the communication major with the exception of COMM 179 (Internship).
- No more than 6 units of COMM 179 (Internship) may be applied toward completion of the communication major.
- Students are allowed only 3 units of COMM 190 and no more than 6 units toward the baccalaureate degree.
- No General Education Multicultural/International course offered by the Communication Department may be used to satisfy the General Education requirements for majors in the department.
Teaching Credential
Students requesting a Single Subject Teaching Credential with the English-Speech
emphasis should consult with the credential adviser in the Communication
Department. Students pursuing this option will be required to select the
English-Credential for their Bachelor of Arts and should refer to the English
Department section of the catalog concerning the state-approved subject
matter preparation program for the English-Speech emphasis.
Communication Minor
Increasingly, oral and written communication, problem solving and decision
making, leadership, and conflict resolution skills are being recognized
as vital skills for professionals in all fields of work. The Communication
Minor is designed to develop these competencies in order to help students
better meet their particular career goals. While a specific minor is recommended,
you may wish to consult with your department adviser about designing a minor
to suit your special objectives.
Core requirements (15 units)
COMM 5, 7,
8, 100,
140
Electives (6 units)
Approved upper-division communication courses
Total (21 units)
Note: The Communication Minor also requires a 2.0 GPA and 6 upper-division
units in residence.
Communication Skills for Professionals Certificate
Proficiency in communication skills is essential in virtually any professional
career. The Communication Program offers a structured sequence of courses
leading to a certificate of special study recognizing the focused development
of professional communication skills in such areas as presentational speaking,
problem solving and decision making, leadership, and interpersonal communication.
Upon completion of the certificate requirements, the department will award
a certificate.
Certificate Prerequisites: upper-division standing and completion
of the General Education basic speech requirement.
Certificate Requirements. Check with department prior to beginning
certificate requirements regarding program status.
Communication Theory: COMM 100
(3 units)
Professional Writing Skills: BA 105W,
ENGL 164, MCJ
10 (3-4 units)
Business and Professional Speaking: COMM
170 (3 units)
Communication Training and Development: COMM
176 (3 units)
Elect 6 units from COMM 103,
108, 162,
167, 168,
169 (6 units)
Total (18-19 units)
The new Communication Skills for Professionals Certificate Program is designed
to enable students to achieve recognition of development in such areas as
presentational speaking, problem solving and decision making, leadership,
and interpersonal communication.
Graduate Program
The Master of Arts degree program in Communication is designed to be a comprehensive program reflecting the history and breadth of the communication discipline. Four objectives serve as measures for competent M.A. graduates of the program. First, all graduates will have a comprehensive understanding of the historical and philosophical assumptions of the communication discipline, as well as the various theoretical perspectives underlying scholarship in the discipline. Second, all graduates will recognize and be able to use appropriate communication strategies in formal, informal, professional, and personal contexts. Third, all graduates will understand quantitative and qualitative methods of research in communication. Fourth, all graduates will understand various communication perspectives and will have a clear understanding of their own personal perspective and ideologies.
Master of Arts Degree Requirements
The graduate program in communication is designed to extend the competencies
of students in the study of human communication. Graduate teaching assistantships
provide students with opportunities for financial assistance and additional
educational experiences.
The graduate program in communication assumes undergraduate preparation
equivalent to a California State University, Fresno major or minor in communication.
The Communication Department offers a 30 unit Master of Arts degree with
coursework in three areas of human communication: rhetoric and public address,
communication, and applied communication. Coursework in these areas provides
preparation for a variety of career opportunities including teaching and
doctoral work in communication and rhetoric,* business and industry, public
service, law, and government.**
Program Requirements
Admission Requirements for Classified Standing. See Admission to Graduate Degree Programs with Graduate Standing in the Division of Graduate Studies of this catalog.
COMM 241 and 262
(6 units)
COMM 205, 214,
215, 242M,
243, 262,
263, 264M,
265, 266,
268, 275,
276 or 290
(15 units)
Electives (3-9 units)
Culminating experiences (0-6 units)
Select one of the following:
A. Comprehensive Examination (0 units; take at least 9 units of approved
electives)
B. COMM 298: Graduate Project
(3-6 units; additional approved communication electives if needed)
C. COMM 299: Thesis (3-6 units;
additional approved communication electives if needed)
Minimum total (30 units)
__________
* For those individuals pursuing careers in teaching and doctoral work,
the Communication Department highly recommends selecting 12 units from among
the following core requirements: COMM 205, 215, 242M, 243, 214, 263, 264M,
265, and 266.
** For those individuals pursuing professional careers such as business and industry, public service, law, and government, the Communication Department highly recommends selecting 12 units from among the following core requirements: COMM 205, 214, 215, 263, 264M, 265, 266, 268, 275, and 276.
Advising Notes
- At least 21 units in the student's program of study must be in 200-level (seminar) communication courses.
- One methods seminar (COMM 242M or 264M) is required in every program.
- In order to fulfill the university's Graduate Writing Skills Requirement, students are asked to submit an academic writing sample for evaluation prior to advancement to candidacy. Consult the department's Graduate Handbook or graduate coordinator for further details on the policy.
- Elective requirements can be met by any approved communication seminar, upper-division undergraduate communication course, or appropriate course outside the department. Any undergraduate course counted toward the M.A. must include additional work to make it commensurate with a graduate-level experience; verification is the responsibility of the student and the student's graduate adviser. Elective requirements are approved by the student's graduate adviser and the graduate coordinator.
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