Communication Studies, BA (Boston)

The Department of Communication Studies 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.

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.

Communication Studies Major Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Common Requirements
COMM 1101	Introduction to Communication Studies	4
COMM 1112	Public Speaking	4
COMM 2301	Communication Research Methods	4
Foundation Course
Complete 4 semester hours from 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 4 semester hours from 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 Courses
Complete 8 semester hours from the following:		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
Communication Studies Electives
Complete 20 semester hours from the following:		20
JRNL 2301	Visual Storytelling in Journalism
MSCR 1230	Introduction to Film Production
PREL 1425	Public Relations Principles
PREL 3625	Public Relations Practice
COMM courses between COMM 1100 - 4999, which have not been used to satisfy other degree requirements.
MSCR courses in the ranges MSCR 2100 - 2199.
MSCR courses in the ranges MSCR 3100 - 3199.
MSCR courses in the ranges MSCR 4100 - 4199.
Capstone Experience Course
Complete 4 semester hours from the following:		4
COMM 4102	Health Communication Campaigns
COMM 4530	Communication and Quality of Life
COMM 4608	Strategic Communication Capstone
COMM 4625	Online Communities
COMM 4755	Production Capstone
COMM 4901	Seminar in Communications

Supporting Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Introduction to College
COMM 1000	Communication Studies at Northeastern	1
Experiential Learning
EEAM 2000	Professional Development for Co-op	1
Writing Requirements
First-Year Writing
ENGW 1111	First-Year Writing	4
or ENGW 1102	First-Year Writing for Multilingual Writers
or ENGW 1114	First-Year Writing with Service-Learning
Advanced Writing in the Disciplines
COMM 3409	Advocacy Writing	4
or ENGW 3314	Advanced Writing in the Arts, Media, and Design

Communication Studies Major Grade Requirement

No more than two grades below a “C” in Communication Studies (COMM) courses may be used to satisfy degree requirements.

Major Credit Requirement

Complete a minimum of 52 semester hours in the major.

Program Requirement

128 total semester hours required

Sample Plan of Study

Four Years, Two Co-ops

Year 1
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer Session A	Hours	Summer Session B	Hours
COMM 1000	1	COMM Foundational Course	4	Intermediate Language	4	Elective	4
COMM 1101	4	COMM Elective 1	4	Elective	4	Elective	4
COMM 1112	4	Elementary Language 2	4
ENGW 1111, 1102, or 1114	4	Elective	4
Elementary Language 1	4	EEAM 2000	1
	17		17		8		8
Year 2
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer Session A	Hours	Summer Session B	Hours
COMM 2301	4	Co-op	0	Co-op	0	Elective	4
COMM Cluster Course	4					Elective	4
COMM Elective 2	4
Elective	4
	16		0		0		8
Year 3
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer Session A	Hours	Summer Session B	Hours
COMM Writing Intensive 1	4	Co-op	0	Co-op	0	Elective	4
COMM Elective 3	4					Elective	4
Elective	4
Elective	4
	16		0		0		8
Year 4
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
COMM 3409 or ENGW 3314	4	COMM Capstone Experience Course	4
COMM Writing Intensive 2	4	COMM Elective 4	4
COMM Elective 3	4	COMM Elective 5	4
Elective	4	Elective	4
	16		16
Total Hours: 130