BA in Communication Studies

Why pursue a communication studies degree at North Central College?

Communication studies majors specialize in verbal messages in face-to-face settings, whether one-on-one in small groups or one-to-many. The communication studies major at North Central College will prepare you for graduate school as well as careers in law, business, higher education, and other fields that require excellent oral and written communication skills.

You can also:

• Assist professors with their research.
• Present research at local and national undergraduate conferences.
• Apply for scholarships in communication studies.
• Participate in study abroad programs or shorter December Term trips.
• Join PRSSA, our student public relations club.
• Receive individualized coaching when you join our nationally ranked speech and debate team.
• Attend regional and national speech competitions, where many North Central students have earned top finalist honors.

Communication studies focus on the intersection of theory and practice in a variety of contexts. Students are led to understand, use, and to critique communication as it is presently practiced in society and to develop critical thinking regarding communication strategies and analysis.

Major Requirements

Core Courses

• COMM 100 - Introduction to Public Speaking
• (or CARD 102 First Year Seminar: Speaking)
• COMM 185 - Global Media in a Digital Age
• COMM 285 - Argumentation and Debate
• COMM 287 - Advanced Public Speaking
• COMM 301 - Rhetoric and Public Discourse
• COMM 317 - Intercultural Communication
• COMM 367 - Persuasion Theory
• COMM 400 - Communication Theory and Research

Electives

Two courses from the following:

• COMM 200 - Interpersonal Communication
• COMM 214 - Group Interaction
• COMM 250 - Introduction to Public Relations
• COMM 280 - Business and Professional Communication

Advanced Electives

One course from the following:

• COMM 330 - Organizational Communication Theory
• COMM 335 - Freedom of Expression
• COMM 350 - Public Relations Strategy
• COMM 370 - Health Communication
• COMM 389 - Gender, Sexuality and Mass Media
• COMM 390 - Seminar in Communication
• COMM 490 - Seminar in Communication

Additional Requirements for the BA Degree

Foreign Language

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Eight credit hours from the following:

• CLSS 255 - Greek and Roman History and Historians
• PHIL 110 - Ethics
• PHIL 210 - Professional Ethics
• PHIL 230 - Logic and Critical Thinking
• ENGL 274 - English Language Arts
• ENGL 314 - Writing Commentary and Cultural Criticism: The Public Intellectual

A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.

Internships

Recent graduates in speech communication include:

• Morning news reporter, Fox News Chicago WFLD TV, Chicago
• Production assistant, ESPN 1000, Chicago
• Marketing and promotions intern, Emmis Communications, Chicago
• Client success coordinator, Eclipse Telecom, Chicago
• Associate Attorney, Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman, Northbrook

Recent graduates in speech communication include:

• Management consultant
• Marketing project manager
• Financial client service associate