Undergraduate Program
Program Information
MAKE AN ADVISING APPOINTMENT *Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
Students interested in pursing a concentration in Communication Studies must complete the four prerequisite courses (13 credits) prior to submitting an application for admission to the concentration. The prerequisite courses introduce students to the interdisciplinary nature of communication studies through diverse analytical approaches that come from the social sciences and humanities research in the field. In addition, the prerequisite courses prepare students for their own analysis and research in the communication field through the mastery of the electronic information environment and research methodology.
Upon successful completion of the four prerequisite courses students must submit an application for admission to the concentration. Applications are only accepted twice per academic year; once in the Fall semester and once in the Winter semester. Admitted students are then able to declare a concentration in Communication Studies.
Concentrators must complete 23 upper-level credits in Communication Studies, including 8 credits in the Areas of Communication Study at the 300-level and a minimum of 15 additional upper-level credits, at least 8 of which must be at the 400-level, in Advanced Communication Studies elective courses. The Areas of Communication Study requirement provides students with a greater theoretical understanding of the structure, function, processes and effects of mass communication, building on the introductory concepts and theories learned in the prerequisite courses. The Advanced Communication Studies elective requirement allows students to choose advanced communication courses that more narrowly focus their studies according to individual interest areas.
Concentrators must also complete 6 approved credits at the 300-level or above from one other department to fulfill the cognate requirement for the concentration. Cognate coursework is intended to complement the student's communication coursework and further the interdisciplinary nature of the Communication Studies curriculum.
Honors Program
For students with strong academic records and a desire to pursue individual scholarly research, the Honors Concentration in Communication Studies offers a special opportunity. Students admitted into the Honors Concentration design and conduct an individual research project during their senior year and write a senior thesis on the results of their research. Upon successful completion of the thesis, students graduate with Honors, High Honors, or Highest Honors in Communication Studies depending on their grade point in Communication Studies and the evaluation of their thesis. These honors designations appear on their diplomas along with any college honors designations (Distinction, High Distinction, Highest Distinction) they earn from their overall grade point. Successful graduates are also honored at the Department Commencement Exercises, and their bound theses are submitted to the Communication Studies Department Archives. A Department of Communication Studies Honors Luncheon is held annually where students present a brief synopsis of their projects to classmates and advisors in the honors program.
Students admitted into the Communication Studies concentration program are encouraged to consider applying for the Honors Program. Application for admission into the Honors Concentration in Communication Studies are accepted only after March 1 of a student's junior year. If admitted into the honors concentration, students take a year long seminar during their senior year (Communication Studies 491 and 492) while they are conducting their research and writing their theses. These seminars, taught by the honors advisor and involving all the honors concentrators, are designed to help students develop their specific research proposals, secure a faculty thesis advisor, learn more about research methodology, and sole problems they encounter. A maximum of three (3) credits from COMM 491 or 492 (Honor's Seminar) may apply to the concentration requirements (additional credit may be applied to the general bachelor's degree requirements). Students admitted into the honors concentration also automatically become members of the Honors Program of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, regardless of whether or not they entered the University as Honors Students. As members of the LSA Honors Program, they gain access to a variety of special services, including academic support, special counseling, assistance with preparing applications for scholarships and fellowships, and some financial support for their thesis research.
General Concentration Advising Appointment
UM students, transfer students and prospective concentrators are encouraged to schedule an appointment with a Communication Studies concentration advisor to discuss all required prerequisite courses and the concentration requirements. General Advising Appointments are also available with Communication Studies Faculty members to discuss the concentration, course scheduling, academic planning, and career planning. These appointments are made online through the Department's website: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/comm. Non- and prospective UM students may contact the Undergraduate Program Coordinator at (734) 647-9723 or by e-mail at LSA-Comm-Studies-Undergrad-Services@umich.edu to discuss the prerequisites and requirements of the concentration. The department does not offer a minor in Communication Studies.
Concentration Prerequisites
Concentration Program Requirements
Concentration Declaration Appointment
Upper Level Writing Requirement (ULWR) - Comm Courses
Quantitative Reasoning (QR) Requirement - Comm Courses
Double Concentration
Transfer Credit
Study Abroad Credit
Academic Minors
The department does not offer an academic minor, nor does it plan to offer one in the future.
Undergraduate Course Descriptions
Reserved Enrollment
The concentration in Communication Studies attracts a large number of interested students each term. This is primarily due to the popularity of career paths that open with a Communication Studies concentration, the quality of faculty, and an active internship program that is available only to concentrators. As a result, courses are often over enrolled and have wait lists. A number of steps have been implemented to manage enrollment, including reserving the introductory courses for first and second year students so that they can satisfy prerequisite requirements. At the upper level, the Department reserves places for declared concentrators. Additionally, small class sizes are a priority so that upper class students can have a seminar experience or meet in a small group. Students should refer to the Department's waitlist policies for more information.
