BA in Communication
Degree Program Description
Students in the Department of Communication gain a broad range of knowledge and skills to become communication experts, effectively crafting and critically evaluating messages for a variety of audiences and contexts, developing convincing arguments, conducting research, and understanding communication as a tool for persuasion, advocacy, and relational maintenance.
Courses are additionally offered in health communication, cultural communication, and digital production. The Department of Communication offers an on-campus and an online B.A. degree.
Professional internships, a study abroad program, research opportunities, and two communication undergraduate organizations provide students with hands-on learning experiences. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in these activities.
A degree in communication is not intended to provide vocational training for a specific industry, but to prepare students for a broad range of professional opportunities requiring active communication skills. Recent graduates have found careers in sales, public relations, marketing, advertising, promotions, political consulting, corporate communications, human resources, event planning, social media, media production, law, education, and public policy. Some students also pursue graduate studies.
Major Program Requirements
The major in communication includes a minimum of 30 hours and a maximum of 52 hours in communication courses. Each course is 3 credits unless otherwise noted. In addition to University, general education, and College of Arts and Science requirements, students must also meet the following major program requirements. All major requirements in the College of Arts and Science must be completed with grades of C- or higher unless otherwise indicated.
| Major core requirements | ||
| COMMUN 1200 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| COMMUN 2500 | Introduction to Communication | 3 |
| COMMUN 3422 | Communication Research Methods | 3 |
| COMMUN 3575W | Business and Professional Communication - Writing Intensive | 3 |
| COMMUN 4474 | Persuasion | 3 |
| 15 credits of additional Communication courses (must include COMMUN 4940 or 4974) | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Communication majors must complete a senior capstone during their last 45 credits of coursework. Students may choose from one of the five following capstone options based on their interests and departmental availability:
- COMMUN 4940 Internship – Students are strongly encouraged to complete at least one internship during their undergraduate studies.
- COMMUN 4974 Senior Project – Students may select one of the following types of senior projects:
- Honors Research Practicum (capstone for communication honors students)
- Media Production Capstone
- Capstone project in a COMMUN 4000-level course taught by a communication faculty member. Courses taught by graduate students do not qualify. Students must co-enroll in the 4000-level course and the faculty member’s section of COMMUN 4974 during the same semester.
- Senior Project seminar – Students may enroll in a Senior Project section that offers a classroom seminar experience where students engage in a guided capstone project.
Accelerated BA in Communication to MPA in Public Affairs
Interested students may pair their Communication undergraduate degree with a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs through the Harry S Truman School of Government and Public Affairs.
Accelerated master's degree programs allow exceptional students at Mizzou the opportunity to complete the requirements for both their bachelor's and master's degrees at an accelerated pace, usually with just one additional year.
Qualified students may earn up to 6 credit hours of graduate coursework while finishing their undergraduate degree. Students must apply and be admitted to an accelerated program before reaching 90 undergraduate credit hours. Students apply using the standard Graduate School application for admission.
Total credits for graduation = 141
Undergraduate credits = 105
Dual credits = 15 (taken at graduate level)
Graduate credits = 21
Please discuss interest in the BA/MPA 4+1 program with your undergraduate academic advisor, who may have suggestions for specific course options that fit your needs.
Semester Plan
Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGLSH 1000 | 3 | Biological/Physical/Mathematical Science with Lab* | 3-5 |
| Humanities Course* | 3 | Humanities Course* | 3 |
| Behavioral Science Course* | 3 | Elective or Minor Course | 3 |
| American Government Requirement (Social Science Course) | 3 | COMMUN 1200 | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 | MATH 1050, 1100, or STAT 1200 | 3 |
| 15 | 15-17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Second Language or Elective | 3-5 | Second Language or Elective | 3-5 |
| Behavioral Science Course (1000+)* | 3 | Social Science Course* | 3 |
| Biological/Physical/Mathematical Science Course* | 3 | Humanities Course (1000+)* | 3 |
| Humanities Course (Writing Intensive)* | 3 | Biological/Physical/Mathematical Science Course* | 3 |
| COMMUN 2500 | 3 | COMMUN 3422 | 3 |
| 15-17 | 15-17 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| COMMUN 3575W | 3 | Communication Course | 3 |
| Communication Course | 3 | Elective Course | 3 |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | Elective Course | 3 |
| Second Language or Elective | 3 | Elective or Minor Course | 3 |
| Social Science Course (1000+)* | 3 | Communication Course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Communication Course | 3 | Elective or Minor Course | 3 |
| Elective or Minor Course Course | 3 | COMMUN 4974 | 3 |
| Communication Course | 3 | Elective or Minor Course | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 | Elective Course | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 | Additional Elective Hours to Reach 120 credits (If Necessary) | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 120-126 | |||
- *
From A&S list available from A&S Advising or academic Exploration Web Page.
Degree Audit
The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree.
MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.
Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.
Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.
For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.
Major and Career Exploration
The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.
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If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.
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If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major.
- If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
- If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit:
- the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog,
- the MU Majors website.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.