2019/20
To meet program requirements you will complete core courses, general education requirements and specialized coursework in your major.
Core (both majors)
36 credits
Years one and two include common coursework for both professional communication and journalism. The core builds a foundation in rhetoric, language and composition, visual communication, communication theory and research methods.
Breadth requirement: Journalism major
27 credits. 9 credits must be senior level.
Students in the Journalism major take 27 credits of general education courses in humanities, social science, science and fine art/performing arts; 9 of the 27 credits must be at the 200- , 300- or 400- level.
Humanities: 6 credits
Social Science: 9 credits
Science: 6 credits
Fine Art/Performing Art: 6 credits
Breadth requirement: Professional Communication major
24 credits. 9 credits must be senior level.
Students in the Professional Communication major take 24 credits of general education courses in humanities, social science, science and fine art/performing arts; 9 of the 24 credits must be at the 200- , 300- or 400- level.
Humanities: 6 credits
Social Science: 6 credits
Science: 6 credits
Fine Art/Performing Art: 6 credits
Major
Journalism major: 27 credits
Professional Communication major: 24 credits
In addition to the common requirements listed above, Professional Communication majors will take 24 credits and Journalism majors will take 27 credits of coursework related to the major subject. Options vary depending on the major you choose.
The program of study may change from year to year. The authoritative source for course descriptions and the rules and regulations that apply to students is the Academic Calendar.
Students are strongly encouraged to seek advice from an advisor in the program about fulfilling these degree requirements.
Declaration of a Major and a Minor
Students are advised to declare a major and a minor by the time they have completed 45 credits. Majors consist of 42 credits. Students can re-declare their major or minor if required.
Breadth Requirement
Students in the Professional Communication major and Journalism minor complete 24 credits of baccalaureate-level courses as outlined in the programs of study. A minimum of nine credits must be senior level courses.
Students in the Journalism major and Professional Communication minor complete 27 credits of baccalaureate-level courses as outlined in the programs of study. A minimum of nine credits must be senior level courses.
Core Field Placement Requirements
All program students must successfully complete a field placement component to their program of study.
Journalism major students will complete BCSC 398, which is a three-credit, full-time or part-time 180-hour field placement, after successfully completing at least 84 out of 120 credits required for the degree, as well as BCSC 327: Online News Reporting. It is highly recommended, but not required, for journalism students to also complete BCSC 422: Advanced News Reporting.
Professional Communication major students will complete BCSC 395: Professional Field Placement and Practice, which is a three-credit, full-time or part-time 250-hour field placement with an academic course component, after successfully completing at least 84 out of 120 credits required for the degree.
The program will assist students in finding field placement opportunities; however, students are ultimately responsible for securing their own work placements, and all placements must be approved by the program.
Students must comply with Policy C2060 Work Integrated Learning regarding their field placements.
Junior- and Senior-level Courses
Courses numbered from 100 to 199 are considered junior level and courses numbered from 200 to 499 are considered senior level.
Senior Level Coursework Requirements
A minimum of 72 credits of the total 120 program credits must be at the senior level. Additional courses at the 100-level will be declared extra to the 120 credits required to complete the degree and will not be counted toward fulfillment of graduation requirements.
Option Requirements
Students are required to complete 21 credits of major options. Journalism and Professional Communication minors must complete 18 credits of minor course work. Journalism minors must complete 6 credits of option courses. Professional Communication minors must complete 12 credits of option courses. Students must select from a list of BCSC option courses designed for each major and minor. Not all option courses are offered each term or year. These courses must be at the baccalaureate level.
Graduation Requirements
Graduation requirements are governed by the date on which students declare their major and minor. Students who declare their major and minor up to and including February 15 are bound by the requirements of the current academic year. Those students who declare after February 15 are bound by the programs of study and degree requirements of the upcoming calendar year published in the academic calendar.
Progression of Studies
Students are responsible for ensuring they fulfill the prerequisite and/or co-requisite requirements of courses taken to complete the Bachelor of Communication Studies.
Minimum Transfer Grade for Credit
A minimum grade of D is required for any transfer credit granted for the program. Courses in the Program of Study require a minimum grade of C- when the course is used as a prerequisite. Transfer credit decisions are final and cannot be appealed (See Policies C2030 and E3103).
