Communication is a very popular major, and we are committed to keeping our standards high so that our graduates will be recognized for their strong skills and knowledge. If you are interested in becoming a Communication major, you should first go to the Communication office (CAC 225) to make an appointment to meet with the Undergraduate Advising Coordinator (UAC). The UAC will discuss your options in the major and assign you an advisor. At that point, you will be a Communication Premajor, and you should start working to complete our Premajor requirements.

1. Communication is a limited-enrollment major. Enrollment caps are in effect for all emphases in the major. It is possible that you might meet minimum eligibility requirements, but not be accepted into the major. The number of graduates in an emphasis will determine how many students are accepted into that emphasis in a given semester.
2. If you wish to declare Communication as a major or minor, you must meet with a Division representative. You may make an appointment to do so in the Division of Communication office. All students (new, transfer, and UWSP students currently in other majors) who intend to major in Communication must apply formally.
3. You will be a Pre-major until you successfully complete these requirements and your application to the major is accepted.
   
   
   1. Complete 7-13 credits of UWSP Communication courses, including the following:
      • Communication 100, Introduction to Communication Study (one credit)
      •  One of the following Divisional core classes: (three credits each)
        • Communication 171, Communication in Civilization
        • Communication 271, Contemporary Communication Theories
        • Communication 273, Reasoning and Criticism
      •  One of the following introductory courses: (three credits each)
        • Communication 160, Introduction to Film
        • Communication 190, Evolution of Media
        • Communication 192, Constructing Media Narratives
        • Communication 230, Introduction to Public Relations
        • Communication 240, Introduction to Organizational Communication
        • Communication 280, Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
        
        
   2. Achieve at least a 2.75 GPA for all UWSP Communication courses taken.  Additionally, if you have completed 60 or more university credits, you must have a 2.25 overall GPA to declare the major.
      
      
   3. Once you have completed the above requirements,  complete the Division’s Application to the major and select one of the following emphasis areas:
      
      
      • Media Studies Emphasis
      • Interpersonal/Organizational Communication Emphasis
      • Public Relations Emphasis
      • Individually Planned Emphasis *
      
      

   4. Enrollment caps are in effect for all emphases in the major.  It is possible that you might meet minimum eligibility requirements but not be accepted into the major.  The number of graduates in an emphasis will determine how many students are accepted into that emphasis in a given semester.

   5. If you are not accepted into the emphases of your choice, you may reapply once, as long as you have not completed more than 13 UWSP Communication credits at the time of the second application.

For exceptions to the above policies, you may appeal to the Head of the Division of Communication.

* You cannot declare an Individually Planned Emphasis on the Application.  If you wish to pursue an Individually Planned Emphasis, you must follow the procedure for doing so.

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