Premajor

Major

Minor

Emphases

Courses

Academic Standards

Test-Out & Credit by Exam Policies

Faculty: C Brazee, W Davidson, W Deering, R Dubiel, E Fakazis, K Ferrante, J Haney, S Hill, R Ilkka, L Midkiff-DeBauche, C Sadler, R Sprague, M Tolstedt.

Definition: Communication studies how humans use symbols to create, send, receive, and respond to messages in a variety of contexts using oral, written, visual, or mediated channels.

The Division of Communication offers a single comprehensive communication major and minor. Working with a faculty advisor, you can prepare for a wide range of communication careers in broadcasting, new media, journalism, public relations, management, training, sales, and human services as well as receive personal enrichment in the humanities and liberal arts. You must complete all coursework required for the major or minor and are also expected to acquire strong oral and written communication competencies. The division encourages everyone to participate in one or more of the student organizations and the internship program. These enhance job opportunities upon graduation by providing practical communication experience.

Communication Major Admission Requirements
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 (below), 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.

Step One: Premajor
If you wish to pursue a major in communication, you must first meet with a division representative. At this meeting you will be granted “premajor” status and assigned an academic advisor.

1. As a premajor you must complete 7-13 communication credits including:

   1.  Comm 100.

   2.  Any one of Comm 171, 271, 273.

   3.  Any one of Comm 160, 190, 192, 230, 240, 280.

2. Premajor course equivalents taken at other universities may substitute for premajor requirements; however, transfer students must complete at least 4 credits of UWSP COMM courses during the premajor process (Comm 100 + one additional course) and must fulfill all 3 required categories.

3. Achieve a minimum 2.75 GPA for all communication credits attempted.

4. Apply to the major after you complete items 1-3 above.

5. Applications are due before the end of the ninth week of each full semester.

6. In addition to the above items, if you have completed 60 or more university credits, you must have a 2.25 overall GPA to declare the major.

7. If you are not accepted into the major, you may reapply once.

8. For exceptions to the above policies, you may appeal to the head of the division.

Step Two: Communication Major
Consists of a minimum of 40 credits in communication courses:

1. Required: Comm 100.

2. Required core: Comm 171, 271, 273, 373.

3. Complete requirements for one emphasis area (below).

4. Eighteen credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above.

5. Comm 101 may not be used to complete the major.

Areas of Emphasis
To major in communication and qualify for graduation you must complete all the required courses (above) and one of the following emphasis areas (below). Courses listed below with an asterisk (*) may be repeated for credit under different subtitles.

Interpersonal and Organizational—Required: Comm 240, 280, 383. Electives: 12 credits from Comm *342, 343, 345, *349, 376, 381, *385, 386, 387, *389, *390 (interpersonal or organizational focus), 392, *394, 396.

Media Studies—Choose ONE track:

1. Journalism. Required: Comm 190, 192, 221, 320, 321, 325. Elective: One course from Comm *323, 324, *329, *363 (Survey of Documentary), 387, 392.

2. Media production. Required: Comm 190, 192, 253, 325, 353, 356. Elective: One course from Comm 351, *352, *359, 360, 361, *362, *363, 364, *365, 367, *369, 387, 392.

Public Relations–Required: Comm 221, 230, 334. Electives: 12 credits, at least 6 must be from Comm 333, 336, 339, 431. Additional 6 credits may be from Comm *322 (publication design focus), *330, *390 (problem solving focus), 392, 394. Other elective courses may be available.

Individually Planned (I.P.E.)–Required: Comm 100, 171, 271, 273, 373. Electives: 27 credits of additional communication courses selected in consultation with your advisor and division head approval. At least 18 must be 300 level or above.

Communication Minor
Admission Requirements for the Minor
If you are interested in declaring a communication minor, you must meet with a division representative.

Academic Requirements for the Minor
Consists of a minimum of 24 credits:

1. Required core: Comm 171, 271, 273, 373.

2. Electives: 12 credits of communication courses, at least 6 must be 300 level or above.

3. Comm 101 may not be used to complete the minor.

Academic Standards
Retention and Graduation

1. In order to graduate with a major or minor in communication, you must achieve a 2.75 GPA in all communication classes taken, regardless of a declaration of academic bankruptcy. The division will attempt to notify and consult with communication majors/minors who are at or below a 2.75 GPA. However, it is your responsibility to know your own GPA.

2. Any major/minor falling below a 2.75 GPA in communication courses will be placed on probation in the Division of Communication. If you fail to regain a 2.75 GPA after the next semester you enroll in a communication course, you will be dismissed from the major/minor.

3. Courses with a grade below C- DO NOT fulfill the major or minor requirements, but are included in the calculation of the major or minor GPA. See the More Academic Information section of this catalog for the policy on repeating courses.

4. Transfer credit policy: Certain courses taken at other universities may substitute for courses in the major. Credits from these courses will be counted when calculating your GPA in communication.

Test-out, Credit-by-Exam, and Retroactive Credit Policy
If you think you qualify for the above, contact the division head who will determine whether the exam will be for test-out, credit-by-exam, and/or retroactive credit. A designated instructor will administer a written exam that evaluates your level of ability with the content of the course. A grade of B or better will qualify for test-out. Courses that involve applied skills and/or oral performance may also require a second performance exam if you score well enough on the written exam.