Speech Communication Studies (BA)
The undergraduate degree in speech communication studies provides students with an understanding of the processes of oral communication. Students are exposed to a variety of theory and skill development opportunities ranging from forensics and presentational applications to rhetorical awareness and analysis. The program offers opportunities to study in three areas: interpersonal/relational communication, professional speaking and performance, and a comprehensive general approach to the field. Each program incorporates coursework from a variety of discipline areas to provide a comprehensive theoretical and practical curriculum.
Successful graduates of this program will be able to:
- differentiate between effective interpersonal communication and ineffective interpersonal communication;
- critically relate rational communication principles to messages and contexts;
- utilize strategies to effectively adapt messages, oral and written, to audiences in an effort to achieve communication goals;
- uphold the importance of communication competence as central to transforming students for global citizenship and individual excellence.
Portfolio Review Course Requirements
A portfolio review is not required for this major. Instead, students majoring in Speech Communication Studies incorporate elements of all their coursework in their culminating senior overview.
51 required credit hours
36 general education credit hours
41 elective credit hours
| SPCM 1040 Public Speaking | 3 hours |
| MEDC 1050 Introduction to Media Writing, or WRIT 1010 Composition, or JOUR 1030 Fundamentals of Reporting |
3 hours |
| SPCM 1280 Interpersonal Communication | 3 hours |
| POLT 1550 Introduction to Political Argumentation and Debate, or SPCM 2000 Forensics |
3 hours |
| MEDC 1630 Media Literacy | 3 hours |
| MEDC 2200 Ethics in the Media | 3 hours |
| SPCM 2200 Group Communication | 3 hours |
| SPCM 2400 Persuasion | 3 hours |
| SPCM 2600 Nonverbal Approaches to the Media | 3 hours |
| SPCM 3600 Rhetoric | 3 hours |
| JOUR 2380 Free Expression and the First Amendment | 3 hours |
| SPCM 3800 Communication and Diverse Populations, or MEDC 3800 Studies in Cultural Diversity: Communication and Diverse Populations |
3 hours |
| SPCM 4500 Conflict Resolution | 3 hours |
| SPCM 4600 Communication Theory | 3 hours |
| SPCM 4620 Senior Overview*, or MEDC 4950 Professional Media Practicum * |
3 hours |
| *Capstone Course |
In addition, a minimum of 6 credit hours must be chosen from the following:
| EPMD 1000 Introduction to Media Production | 3 hours |
| SPCM 3100 Communication as Storytelling | 3 hours |
| SPCM 3150 Topics in Speech Communication Studies | 3 hours |
| MEDC 3190 Introduction to Media Research | 3 hours |
| SPCM 3300 Navigating Relationships | 3 hours |
| SPCM 3500 Presentations for Media Professionals | 3 hours |
| POLT 3550 Competitive Political Argumentation and Debate | 3 hours |
| SPCM 4610 Readings | 3 hours |
| SPCM 4616 Communication Research and Analysis | 3 hours |
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