Communication Studies, BA

The communication studies major offers students an opportunity to obtain the communication skills and the understanding of the communication process required to thrive in a complex and changing society. Majors are required to demonstrate a mastery of the fundamentals of effective communication, to learn the fundamentals of communication theory and practice, and to develop a distinct area of emphasis. Some of the more popular areas include argumentation and advocacy, organizational and health communication, international and intercultural communication, digital communication and social media, and media production. The curriculum is designed to enhance the understanding of human communication in a variety of contexts, to empower students to become informed and engaged citizens, and to provide the knowledge and skills required to live a rich personal and professional life.

---

• Concentrations and course offerings may vary by campus and/or by program modality.  Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for the course availability each term at your campus or within your program modality. 
• Certain options within the program may be required at certain campuses or for certain program modalities.  Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for requirements at your campus or for your program modality. 

---

Complete all courses listed below unless otherwise indicated. Also complete any corequisite labs, recitations, clinicals, or tools courses where specified and complete any additional courses needed beyond specific college and major requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements.

Universitywide Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the Universitywide Requirements.

BA Language Requirements

All BA students are required to complete the BA degree language requirements, for a total of 12 semester hours of language study or demonstrated equivalent proficiency, as described in Additional Requirements for BA students. Successful demonstration of proficiency does not reduce total minimum semester hours of study required to earn the BA degree.

NUpath Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the NUpath Requirements.

NUpath requirements Creative Expression/Innovation (EI), Societies and Institutions (SI), Analyzing and Using Data (AD), and Ethical Reasoning (ER) are met through the major course requirements. 

NUpath requirements Natural and Designed World (ND), Interpreting Culture (IC), Formal and Quantitative Reasoning (FQ), and Difference and Diversity (DD) may be met through electives in the major.

Communication Studies Major Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Introduction to College
COMM 1000	Communication Studies at Northeastern	1
Communication Studies Common Requirements
COMM 1101	Introduction to Communication Studies	4
COMM 1112	Public Speaking	4
COMM 2301	Communication Research Methods	4
Foundation Course
Complete one of the following:		4
COMM 1210	Persuasion and Rhetoric
COMM 1225	Communication Theory
COMM 1231	Principles of Organizational Communication
COMM 1255	Communication in a Digital Age
Cluster Course
Complete one of the following:		4
COMM 1131	Sex, Relationships, and Communication
COMM 2303	Global and Intercultural Communication
COMM 2304	Communication and Gender
COMM 2501	Communication Law
COMM 2551	Free Speech in Cyberspace
Writing-Intensive
Complete two writing-intensive courses in communication studies from the following list:		8
COMM 3200	Mobile Communication
COMM 3201	Health Communication
COMM 3230	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 3304	Communication and Inclusion
COMM 3320	Political Communication
COMM 3415	Communication Criticism
COMM 3500	Environmental Issues, Communication, and the Media
COMM 3501	Free Speech: Law and Practice
COMM 3530	Communication and Sexualities
COMM 3532	Theories of Conflict and Negotiation
COMM 4535	Nonverbal Social Interaction
COMM 4605	Youth and Communication Technology
COMM 4631	Crisis Communication and Image Management
Capstone
Complete one of the following:		4
COMM 4102	Health Communication Campaigns
COMM 4530	Communication and Quality of Life
COMM 4602	Contemporary Rhetorical Theory
COMM 4608	Strategic Communication Capstone
COMM 4625	Online Communities
Communication Studies Electives
Complete five communication studies courses not used to satisfy requirements above.		20

Communication Studies Major Grade Requirement

No more than two grades below a C in communication studies courses may be used to satisfy degree requirements.

Communication Studies Major Credit Requirement

Complete 52 semester hours in the major.

Program Requirement

128 total semester hours required

Sample Four Years, Two Co-ops

Year 1
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer 1	Hours	Summer 2	Hours
COMM 1000	1	ENGW 1111	4	COMM Elective	4	Elective	4
COMM 1101	4	COMM Foundational Course	4	COMM Elective	4	Elective	4
COMM 1112	4	Elective	4
Elective	4	Elective	4
Elective	4
	17		16		8		8
Year 2
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer 1	Hours	Summer 2	Hours
COMM 2301	4	Co-op	0	Co-op	0	COMM writing-intensive	4
COMM Cluster Course	4					COMM Elective	4
Elective	4
Elective	4
EEAM 2000	1
	17		0		0		8
Year 3
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer 1	Hours	Summer 2	Hours
COMM writing-intensive	4	Co-op	0	Co-op	0	Elective	4
COMM Elective	4					Elective	4
Elective	4
Elective	4
	16		0		0		8
Year 4
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
COMM Elective	4	Capstone	4
Elective	4	Elective	4
Elective	4	Elective	4
Elective	4	Elective	4
	16		16
Total Hours: 130