The B.F.A. with a major in Communication prepares students for a wide variety of professional careers. Through the study of the theory and practice of communication, students in the Communication major gain expertise in the skills most valued in the 21st-century workplace. Students learn team leadership, decision making, critical and creative thinking, problem solving, presentational skills, persuasion, research, writing, technology, and intercultural communication by examining communication in multiple contexts. With the B.F.A. in Communication, students are prepared to move directly from the academic to the organizational environment. For information on careers in Communication, please visit the department website.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers conducts an annual survey, asking employers to identify the top skills they seek in college graduates. Of the top ten skills identified, nine are directly related to courses taught in the B.F.A. with a major in Communication. Similarly, for over four decades, the Fortune 500 list of most valued skills has been dominated by those taught in the Communication major.
Grade Point Average Requirement for the BFA with a Major in Communication
Students who declare a major in Communication must earn a grade point average of 2.25 or better in all Area F courses. Any student who fails to earn a 2.25 or better in Area F courses will be asked to change majors or will be switched to an undeclared major status.
Selected Educational Outcomes
- The Communication major will demonstrate skill in the use of the materials, technology, and methods of communication and expression necessary to be global citizens.
- The Communication major will demonstrate understanding of the theories and practices of interpersonal, intercultural, organizational, and public communication.
- The Communication major will demonstrate skill in the analysis of the communication needs of clients and in the design and implementation of programs to satisfy those needs.
Examples of Outcome Assessments
The Department assesses the extent to which the program requirements create the desired outcomes by using a portfolio system. The completed portfolios will include designated assignments that will vary depending on course selection.
Requirements for the B.F.A. degree with a Major in Communication
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | 60 | |
| Core Curriculum Areas A-E (See VSU Core Curriculum) | 42 | |
| Core Curriculum Area F | 18 | |
| COMM 1110 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| COMM 1500 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 3 |
| COMM 1800 | Communication Technology | 3 |
| COMM 2100 | Introduction to Communication Theory | 3 |
| COMM 2300 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMM 2500 | Communication, Culture, and Community | 3 |
| Senior College Curriculum | 60 | |
| Communication Core | 30 | |
| Communication and Values | 9 | |
| Argumentation and Advocacy | ||
| Persuasion | ||
| Communication Law and Ethics | ||
| Communication Analysis | 6 | |
| Applied Communication Research | ||
| Data Analytics for Communication | ||
| Workplace Skills | 9 | |
| Teams and Leadership | ||
| Conflict Management | ||
| Creativity and Communication Design | ||
| Social Media Applications | 6 | |
| Visual Communication and Aesthetics | ||
| Social Media Strategies | ||
| Emphasis: Select Interpersonal or Organizational Communication | 12 | |
| Interpersonal Communication Emphasis | ||
| Advanced Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Interpersonal Communication Capstone | ||
| Nonverbal Communication | ||
or COMM 4431 | Listening and Interviewing | |
| Health Communication | ||
or COMM 4441 | Communication Across Difference | |
| Organizational Communication Emphasis | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Professional Communication | ||
| Organizational Communication Capstone | ||
| Crisis Communication and Negotiation | ||
or COMM 4531 | Communicating Globally | |
| Guided Electives | 18 | |
| Total hours required for the degree | 120 | |
