Communication Studies

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Purpose and Focus

The Communication Studies program promotes the growth of knowledge about communication and its uses to achieve individual, group, and societal goals. Students learn about the functions, processes, channels, and influences of communication and can specialize in interpersonal or public communication. Students in communication work to acquire proficiency in critical analysis, argumentation and presentation (oral and written), and research methods.

Undergraduate Major

Communication Studies

Areas of Concentration

Interpersonal Communication
Public Communication

Admission to the Major

Minimum GPA: 2.00

Admission Policies

Students will be assigned a Pre-Communication Major (PRE-COM) designation until they have completed the following pre-major requirements:

1. Communication core (nine credits)
   COM 101  or HON 101  ,
   COM 102
     , and
   COM 216
     
2. UNLV general education core courses (16 to 18 credits total): ENG101  and
   ENG 102
    , U.S. and Nevada Constitutions requirement, and six credits chosen from the remaining general education core requirements. All courses satisfying PRE-COM requirements must be completed with at least a C (2.0) grade (C- is unacceptable). PRE-COM designates may not be able to enroll in upper-division COM courses (300–400 level). Upon completion of the pre-major requirements, students may request admission to the major by contacting the GUA Advising Office.

Transfer Policies

Transfer students will be assigned a PRE-COM designation until they have completed the pre-major requirements described above and must meet with an academic advisor in the college’s Student Advising Center for articulation of transfer credit.

Department Policies

Academic Policies

Students must be communication majors during the completion of the last 30 credits taken at UNLV in fulfillment of the 120-credit graduation requirement.

Communication courses may not be used to satisfy more than one requirement, with the exception of international and multicultural requirements.

Only course work in the major for which a grade of C or above (C- is not acceptable) is received will count toward satisfaction of the degree requirements. Maintenance of a minimum UNLV 2.00 GPA is required to remain in and graduate from the program.
Students must complete 42 upper-division (300–400) level credits, including 21 upper-division credits in communication.

Outside Area of Interest

Each Communication degree plan includes an outside area of interest, which consists of 15 credits in a particular area of study in a university program other than Communication Studies to be determined in consultation with the academic advisor. Courses used to complete a minor, dual major, or study abroad experience may be used to satisfy this requirement.

Change of Major

Change of status from pre-major to major requires the student to acquire a change of major form from the Student Advising Center where the form will be processed.

Internships

Practical application of classroom experience is available to junior or senior students through internships. A student is expected to (1) be a junior or senior COM major or minor, (2) have successfully completed at least 12 upper divisions credit hours (i.e., 4 courses at the 300- or 400-level), and (3) have at least a 3.00 GPA. A student may complete up to six credits of internship, but only three credits may be used to fulfill degree requirements in the major.

Advisement

Upon acceptance as a major, each student must meet with an advisor from the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs’ Student Advising Center. To ensure orderly progress toward the degree, the Communication Department strongly suggest that majors see an advisor at least once each year, preferably every semester. Upon acceptance as a pre-major or major and at least once a year thereafter, students should contact the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs’ Student Advising Center.

Curricular decisions must be made through consultation with an advisor. Decisions about the appropriate courses in related areas must be approved.

Transfer students are required to consult with an academic advisor within the first semester after admission to the department. This initial advising session will determine to what extent those credits accepted by the university will be accepted as part of the major.

The Advising Center can be reached at 702-895-1009 or Urbanaffairs@unlv.edu or may be visited in person on the 4th Floor of Greenspun Hall.

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