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Communication Studies - Bachelor of Arts 2022-23 Degree Map

Requirements (REQ) of a Bachelors Degree

Degree Maps show one way how you can earn a degree in four years. Talk with your advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for you, especially if you have any earned transferrable academic credit.

To graduate in four years, you need an average of 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits. You may need to take electives (courses that are not used to meet specific requirements) to reach those totals. Most courses at PSU are 4 credits each. If you transfer credit to PSU, the number of credits you need per year will vary accordingly. 

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This guide outlines the requirements in the 2022-23 catalog. Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements you need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit you to follow a different catalog. Typically, your catalog year is the year you began at PSU, but if you are a transfer student you may be able to use an earlier catalog. Talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you.

PSU Bulletins (2015-present) about this content

Communication majors are encouraged to use Cluster and elective classes toward earning a minor.

Students must earn a letter grade of C- or higher in Communication major classes to count toward major requirements.

First Year

Fall Courses Fall Credits Winter Courses Winter Credits Spring Courses Spring Credits
Freshman Inquiry or Honors 5 Freshman Inquiry or Honors 5 Freshman Inquiry or Honors 5
BA Second Language 101 3-5 BA Second Language 102 3-5 BA Second Language 103 3-5
BA Science/Social Science 3-4 COMM Lower Division Elective 4 COMM Lower Division Elective 4
Total Fall Credits 11-14 Total Winter Credits 12-14 Total Spring Credits 12-14

Second Year

Fall Courses Fall Credits Winter Courses  Winter Credits Spring Courses Spring Credits
Sophomore Inquiry or Honors 4 Sophomore Inquiry or Honors 4 Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement 3-4
BA Second Language 201 3-5 BA Second Language 202 3-5 BA Second Language 203 3-5
COMM Lower Division Elective 4 COMM Lower Division Elective 4 COMM 300 4
BA Fine & Performing Arts 3-4 BA Science/Math Elective 3-4 BA Science/Social Science 3-4
Total Fall Credits 14-17 Total Winter Credits 14-17 Total Spring Credits 14-17

Second Year Milestones: Complete COMM 300 (by end of Spring term).

Third Year

Fall Courses Fall Credits Winter Courses Winter Credits Spring Courses Spring Credits
Upper Division Cluster or Honors 4 Upper Division Cluster or Honors 4 Upper Division Cluster or Honors 4
COMM 311 4 COMM 316 or 326 4 COMM Upper Division Elective 4
COMM Upper Division Elective 4 COMM Upper Division Elective 4 General Elective 4
Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement 3-4 General Elective 4 General Elective 4
Total Fall Credits 15-16 Total Winter Credits 16 Total Spring Credits 16

Third Year Milestones: Complete COMM 311, and COMM 316 or COMM 326 (by end of Spring term). 

Fourth Year

Fall Courses Fall Credits Winter Courses Winter Credits Spring Courses Spring Credits
COMM 4XX Elective 4 COMM 4XX Elective 4 Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis 6
COMM 4XX Elective 4 Upper Division General Elective 4 COMM 4XX Elective 4
General Elective 4 General Elective 2 General Elective 4
General Elective 4 General Elective 4 General Elective 1
Total Fall Credits 16 Total Winter Credits 14 Total Spring Credits 15

 

Additional Map Notes:

  • COMM Lower Division Elective: COMM 220 recommended for one of these electives.
  • Sophomore Inquiry or Honors: For University Studies, two Sophomore Inquiry courses are required, but for Honors, three Sophomore courses are required. Meet with assigned advisor regarding Sophomore Inquiry and Race & Ethnic Studies requirements.
  • Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement: Two courses required, each minimum 3 credits: one course must focus on the U.S. experience; the second course must center the experiences of groups under European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism beyond the United States. One must be within the School of Gender, Race and Nations or be cross-listed with one of the SGRN units: Black Studies (BSt), Chicano/Latino Studies (ChLa), Indigenous Nations Studies (NAS), or Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WS). If you choose a RESR course that can be applied towards another requirement, take an elective here instead.
  • COMM 311; COMM 316 or COMM 326: Courses do not need to be taken in sequence. COMM 300 is a prerequisite for all three courses. 
  • COMM 4XX Elective: 12 credits must be numbered 410 or higher. No more than 4 credits can be numbered 401-409. 
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.

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