College of Humanities and Fine Arts

www.uni.edu/comstudy

 

Staff:

J. Fritch, Head. R. Bankston, M. Beall, M. Bozik, J. Burtis, P. Carlin, A. Chatham-Carpenter, S. Chen, Z. Chen, V. DeFrancisco, A. Dimitrova, N. Epley, B. Fabos, T. Hall, D. Kruckeberg, C. Martin, K. Mitchell, P. O'Connor, C. Ogbondah, C. Palczewski, G. Pohl, M. Shaw, P. Siddens, F. Soans, L. Terlip, J. Witte.

 

The Department of Communication Studies offers the following undergraduate and graduate programs and program certificates.  Specific requirements for these programs are listed within this Department of Communication Studies section in the following order:

 

Undergraduate Majors (B.A.)

Communication (Liberal Arts)
Communication-Theatre-Teaching (also listed in Department of Theatre)
Communication/Electronic Media
Communication/Public Relations
Political Communication (also listed in Department of Political Science)

 

Minors

Business Communication (also listed in Department of Management)
Communication Studies (Liberal Arts)
Communication-Theatre-Teaching (also listed in Department of Theatre)
Communication/Journalism (Liberal Arts)
Communication/Public Relations

 

Graduate Majors (M.A.)

Communication Studies

 

Program Certificates

Certificate in Public Speaking
Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication

 

Note: Students majoring in Public Relations must achieve a minimum grade of C (2.00) in all courses to be applied toward departmental majors or minors. To graduate with a major in Communication (Liberal Arts), a student must earn a cumulative GPA of 2.50.

 

Advisory Statement: Requirements of a Communication Studies major or minor may also be used to meet the requirements of another major or minor; but electives may not be counted toward both.

 

Enrollment Management Policy

This policy applies to the following: Communication Liberal Arts Major, Communication/Public Relations Major, Communication/Electronic Media Major, Political Communication Major, Communication Liberal Arts Minor, Business Communication Minor, Communication/Journalism Minor, and Communication/Public Relations Minor.

 

Majors

1. Students may indicate their interest in majoring in a communication program any time after their admission to UNI. Formal indication of interest shall be made via the Declaration of Curriculum form at which time the student will be considered a pre-major and will be assigned an advisor. (For freshmen, this shall be the Communication Studies Advising Office.)
2. A student's freshman year shall be devoted primarily to course work in the Liberal Arts Core. The Liberal Arts Core load shall include 48C:001 (Oral Communication) and 620:005 or 620:015 or 620:034. Major course work shall be limited to courses as recommended by her/his freshman advisor and program policy.
3. By the end of the fall term of a student's sophomore year, pre-majors shall have completed a course major component as designated by the advisor and program policy.
4. The following criteria shall be used for determination of admission:
   2.70 cumulative GPA in at least 24 hours of course work (to include 48C:001 Oral Communication and 620:005 or 620:015 or 620:034).
   2.50 average GPA in the designated major component for Communication Studies - Liberal Arts majors (except Political Communication), and a 2.70 average GPA in the designated major component for Public Relations and Electronic Media majors.
   Upon satisfaction of the admission requirements (a and b above), a student shall be converted to major status after the student files a Declaration of Curriculum which will then be processed. The student shall be notified of her/his admission.
   Students admitted to a major shall be able to continue course work toward their major.
   Students unable to satisfy the admission requirements and consequently denied admission shall be notified in writing.
   
5. Transfer students entering UNI with an associate arts (A.A.) degree shall be admitted to major status if their cumulative GPA is 2.70 or better, and upon the condition that the requirements of both 48C:001 (Oral Communication) and 620:005 or 620:015 or 620:034 were satisfied.
6. Transfer students entering UNI without an A.A. degree shall be subject to the admissions standards requirements of students beginning their higher education studies at UNI, i.e. #4.

Designated Course Components:

1. Public Relations: 48J:002, 48P:005.
   
2. Electronic Media: 48J:002, 48E:00.
   
3. Journalism: 48J:002.
   
4. Communication-Liberal Arts: 48C:002; 48C:004 or 48C:031; 48C:080.
   
5. Political Communication: none.

Minors

Admission to any Communication Minor (Liberal Arts, Business Communication, or Public Relations) or Journalism Minor requires a 2.70 cumulative GPA in at least 24 hours of course work (to include 48C:001 Oral Communication and 620:005 or 620:015 or 620:034). (Also, see 4c above.)

 

 

Bachelor of Arts Degree Program

 

Communication Major (Liberal Arts)

The Communication (Liberal Arts) major requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 120 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.

 

The Communication (Liberal Arts) major requires the completion of 37-43 credit hours, including a common core of 16 hours. The remainder of the major is a combination of required and elective courses specific to a selected emphasis area. Students select an emphasis area that corresponds with their career objective(s) or educational goal(s).

 

Required:
Communication Studies core: 48C:001; 48C:002; 48C:004 or 48C:031; 48C:011 or 48C:071; 48C:080; 48C:155	16 hours
Emphasis area courses	21-27 hours
Total	37-43 hours

 

Emphasis areas include: general communication, culture and communication, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, community and communication, etc. Sample plans of study are available for these emphasis areas in the Department of Communication Studies main office.

 

Communication - Theatre Major - Teaching

The Communication-Theatre-Teaching major requires a minimum of 122 total hours to graduate. This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements , the Professional Education Requirements, and the following specified major requirements to complete the minimum of 122 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.

 

The teaching major in communication and theatre is offered jointly by the Departments of Communication Studies and Theatre.

 

Required:
Communication: 48C:001; 48C:004; 48C:011; 48C:015; 48C:024; 48C:031; 48C:071; 48C:074; 48C:141; 48C:187	29 hours
Theatre: 490:015; 490:024;  490:034 (these three courses may be taken in any sequence; all are prerequisites for 490:161); 490:109; 490:161	15 hours
Applied Activity Option: one hour from: 48C:091/48C:191 or 48C:093/48C:193 or 490:050	1 hour
Electives: (3 hours from the following): Communication: 48C:108 or 48C:110; 48C:122; 48C:124; 48C:126; 48C:144; 48C:174; 48C:176; 48C:178. Theatre: 490:040; 490:060; 490:061; other courses are available, consult with your advisor.	3 hours
Total	48 hours

 

Communication/Electronic Media Major

The Communication/Electronic Media major requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 120 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.

 

Required:
Electronic Media: 48E:00; 3 hours from 48E:01 or 48E:01 or 48E:11; 48E:02; 48E:07; 48E:12; 48E:13; 48E:14; 3 hours from 48E:17 or 48E:197; 48E:195	27 hours
Journalism: 48J:002	3 hours
Electives from the following: Marketing*: 130:101; 130:106; 130:150. Management: 150:153. Communication: 48C:004; 48C:011; 48C:108 or 48C:110; 48C:113; 48C:121; 48C:122; 48C:124; 48C:126; 48C:132; 48C:134; 48C:144;48C:146; 48C:166; 48C:173; 48C:176; 48C:178; 48C:180 or 48C:183 or 48C:189. Electronic Media: 48E:073; 48E:111; 48E:113; 48E:115; 48E:117; 48E:123; 48E:131; 48E:134;48E:136; 48E:138; 48E:139; 48E:161; 48E:166. Journalism: 48J:007.	18 hours
Total	48 hours

 

*These courses require either 920:024 or 920:053 as a prerequisite. 920:024 may be used to satisfy Category 5B of the Liberal Arts Core.

 

Communication/Public Relations Major

The Communication/Public Relations major requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 120 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.

The Communication/Public Relations major requires the completion of 18 hours in public relations, 12 hours in communication, 15 hours in journalism and 12 hours in business. (The concentration of study in business is in keeping with the specific recommendations for public relations education as outlined in The Design for Undergraduate Public Relations Education: Report of the 1987 Commission on Undergraduate Public Relations Education, co-sponsored by the Public Relations Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, and Public Relations Society of America and the Educators Academy of PRSA.)

 

Required:
Accounting: 120:030	3 hours
Marketing: 130:101*; 130:106*	6 hours
Management: 150:153	3 hours
Journalism: 48J:002; 48J:007; 48J:071; 48J:132; 48J:172	15 hours
Communication: 48C:004 or 48C:173; 48C:124; 48C:132; 48C:180 or 48C:183 or 48C:189	12 hours
Public Relations: 48P:005; 48P:170 or 48P:184; 48P:173; 48P:182; 48P:188; 48P:190 or 48P:179/48P:197 (3 hrs.)	18 hours
Total	57 hours

 

*These courses require 920:024 or 920:053 as a prerequisite. 920:024 will satisfy Category 5B of the Liberal Arts Core.

 

Political Communication Major

The Political Communication major requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 120 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.

 

Required:
Communication: 48C:160; 48C:180 or 48C:183 or 48C:189	6 hours
Journalism: 48J:002	3 hours
Political Science: 942:014; 943:024	6 hours
History: 961:116	3 hours
Geography: 970:114	3 hours
Internship: Communication: 48C:197 or Political Science: 940:181	4 hours
Emphases (select two areas of focus with 6 hours from each area)	12 hours
Total	57 hours

 

Focus Area 1: State and Local Public Affairs (6 hours)
Political Science: 942:048; 942:131; 942:132.

 

Focus Area 2: Political Campaigns and Elections (6 hours)

Political Science: 942:112; 942:134; 942:150; 942:151.

 

Focus Area 3: International Affairs (6 hours)
Political Science: 943:119; 943:143; 943:145.
Geography: 970:116.

 

Focus Area 4: International Communication (6 hours)
Communication: 48C:151.
Journalism: 48J:151.
Public Relations: 48P:170.

 

Focus Area 5: Decision-Making (6 hours)
Communication: 48C:128/CAP:128; 48C:148; 48C:178.

 

Focus Area 6: Political Discourse (6 hours)
Communication: 48C:113; 48C:123; 48C:174.
Sociology: 980:138.

 

Focus Area 7: Media Analysis (6 hours)
Electronic Media: 48E:02; 48E:131; 48E:139; 48E:141; 48E:161.

 

 

Minor

 

Business Communication Minor

 

Liberal Arts Core courses included in minor program requirements are distinguished by italics.

 

The Business Communication minor is interdisciplinary in nature and offered jointly by the College of Humanities and Fine Arts and the College of Business Administration. It is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Management and the Department of Communication Studies. The minor requires a 15-hour core plus 5-6 hours from one of three emphases.

 

Required:
Communication: 48C:071; 48C:132	6 hours
Journalism: 48J:007	3 hours
Management: 150:080 OR English Language and Literature: 620:077	3 hours
English Language and Literature: 620:102 or 620:104 or 620:105	3 hours
Required: 5-6 hours from one of three emphases below	5-6 hours
Total	20- 21 hours

 

Emphases-

 

Business:
Management: 150:113; 150:114.

 

OR

 

Communication:
Two of the following:
Communication: 48C:031; 48C:139 or 48C:141; 48C:148*.

 

OR

 

Journalism and Public Relations:
Two of the following:
Journalism: 48J:071*; 48J:172*; 48J:176*.
Public Relations: 48P:173*; 48P:184.

*These courses require additional prerequisites.

 

Note: When declaring this minor students must:

1. have a 2.70 cumulative GPA.
   
2. have satisfactorily completed Categories 1A and 1B of the Liberal Arts Core.

Communication Studies Minor (Liberal Arts)

 

Liberal Arts Core courses included in minor program requirements are distinguished by italics.

Required:

Required:
Communication: 48C:001; 48C:004 or 48C:031; 48C:011 or 48C:071; One of the following: 48C:122 or 48C:123 or 48C:124 or 48C:131* or 48C:144** or 48C:174 or 48C:178	12 hours
Electives in 48C:xxx courses (at least 5-6 hours must be at the 100-level)	8-9 hours
Total	20- 21 hours

 

*48C:131 has prerequisites of 48C:001 and 48C:031.  48C:001 will satisfy Category 1B of the Liberal Arts Core.

 

**48C:144 has prerequisite of 48C:004.

 

Communication - Theatre Minor - Teaching

 

Liberal Arts Core courses included in minor program requirements are distinguished by italics.

 

The Communication-Theatre-Teaching minor is offered jointly by the Departments of Communication Studies and Theatre.

 

Required:
Communication: 48C:001; 48C:004; 48C:011; 48C:024; 48C:074; 48C:187	18 hours
Option A or B (below)	10-12 hours
Total	28-30 hours

 

Option A: Communication (10 hours)
Communication: one hour from 48C:091/
48C:191 or 48C:093/48C:193; 48C:015; 48C:071.
Theatre: 490:101 or 490:106/CAP:106.

 

Option B: Theatre (12 hours)
Theatre: 490:015; 490:024; 490:034; (these three classes
must be taken before 490:161); 490:161.

 

Communication/Journalism Minor (Liberal Arts)

Liberal Arts Core courses included in minor program requirements are distinguished by italics.

Required:
Journalism: 48J:002; 48J:007; 48J:071; 48J:132; 48J:171; 48J:172	18 hours
Electives (Group A): Journalism: 48J:121; 48J:151; 48J:166; 48J:176; 48J:178; 48J:197.	3-6 hours
Electives (Group B): Instructional Technology: 240:147 Industrial Technology: 330:169 Art: 600:032	0-3 hours
Total	24 hours

 

Communication/Public Relations Minor

Liberal Arts Core courses included in minor program requirements are distinguished by italics.

Required:
Communication: 48C:124; 48C:132	6 hours
Journalism: 48J:007	3 hours
Public Relations: 48P:005; 48P:173; 48P:182	9 hours
Electives : Communication: 48C:173; 48C:180 or 48C:183 or 48C:189. Public Relations: 48P:170; 48P:184; 48P:188.	3 hours
Total	21 hours

 

Master of Arts Degree Programs

 

Major in Communication Studies

 

 

A student may seek a General Communication program or specialize in Communication Education, Mass Communication, Organizational Communication, Performance Studies, or Public Relations. The major is available on the thesis and non-thesis options. A minimum of 30 semester hours for the thesis option and 32 hours for the non-thesis option are required. A minimum of 18 semester hours of 200-level course work is required for the thesis option, including 6 hours of thesis credit. A minimum of 12 semester hours of 200-level course work is required for the non-thesis option.

 

The Graduate Record Examination (General Test) is not required for admission to the program.

Successful completion of a final written comprehensive examination is required for both the thesis and non-thesis options.

 

Of the 30-32 hours required:
20 hours of course work in Communication Studies (no more than 10 hours outside the department and/or by transfer).

 
No more than 6 hours of independent work: readings, projects, or specialized individual instruction.

 
No more than 3 hours of workshop credit.

Successful completion of comprehensive examinations after completion of 22 hours of course work.
Successful completion of a research paper or thesis.

 

Detailed information on the major, including directions for procedures to follow for applying, in planning a program, and requesting assignment of an advisor, may be obtained from the Head of the Department of Communication Studies, the Director of Graduate Studies, or on the department=s Web page at the following address: www.chfa.uni.edu/comstudy/graduate.

 

Communication Education Emphasis

Non-thesis Option:

Required core:
48C:122; 48C:201; 48C:224; 48C:236; 48C:282	15 hours
Electives (to be determined through consultation with faculty advisor)	17 hours
Total	32 hours

Thesis Option:

Required core:
48C:201; 48C:224; 48C:236; 48C:282; 48C:299 (6 hrs.)	18 hours
Electives (to be determined through consultation with faculty advisor)	12 hours
Total	30 hours

 

**Related course work includes that in marketing, education, political science, history, sociology, psychology, and other disciplinary areas having a direct relationship to the student=s program of study (and other courses approved by advisor).

 

Program Certificates

 

The University of Northern Iowa makes available, in addition to traditional programs, the opportunity for students to earn program certificates. Program certificates provide an alternative to programs leading to a degree, a major, or a minor; they certify that an individual has completed a program approved by the university. For information on the following certificates, contact the Department of Communication Studies or the Office of the Registrar, which serves as the centralized registry.

 

Certificate in Public Speaking

 

This certificate is designed to prepare students to become effective speakers and presenters. The certificate is focused on skill development and allows the student to gain experience in message construction and delivery.

 

 

Required:
Communication: 48C:011; 48C:071; 48C:168	9 hours
Electives from the following: Communication: 48C:020; 48C:074; 48C:123; 48C:176; 48C:178; 48C:189.	6 hours
Total	15 hours

 

Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication

 

This certificate is designed to provide advanced studies distinct from existing M.A. programs in the department (i.e., public relations, organizational communication, etc.). This certificate is designed to provide enhanced communication skills, abilities and knowledge necessary for effective functioning in business settings.

 

Program prerequisites:

 
Students who apply to this program must be admitted to graduate studies at UNI under the degree status category. Consult the Graduate College and/or the Department of Communication Studies for further information.

Required:
Communication: 48C:134; 48C:135; 48C:166 or another course in communication approved by the advisor; 48P:184	12 hours
Electives from the following: Communication: 48C:222; 48C:232 Public Relations: 48P:282	3 hours
Total	15 hours