Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Communication, BA
What Is the Study of Communication?
According to our National Communication Association, we focus on how people use messages to generate meanings. We promote effective and ethical practices across different channels, cultures, situations and media.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
Communication graduates qualify for a variety of careers. Strong attention to research and writing provides students with skills needed for entry-level positions in organizational training and development, public relations, marketing, electronic media and other information-oriented occupations. The entire Communication field is growing rapidly with increased diversification of employment opportunities.
Most people are born with the ability to acquire communication skills, and we can help you realize your full potential. We believe the educational techniques of direct instruction, guided rehearsals and modeling provide tools for developing effective communication practices. In addition, you can learn more about developing stronger communities through ethical interaction, civil public discourse and cooperative decision-making.
How to Declare:
Pre-major: Students contemplating a major in Communication are encouraged to go to the Communications peer advising office in CF 203 to meet with a communications peer advisor and register as a pre-major.
Admissions: To apply, a student must have completed the following requirements in order to be admitted through a competitive selection process:
- 90 credits, 12 to 15 of which have been completed at WWU Admission to the major will, in part, be determined by the number of applicants and their qualifications in any given quarter. Cumulative grade point average (GPA) will be one of the major criteria for admission. In most quarters, the average GPA of successful applications is above 3.0
- COMM 101 or COMM 235 with a B- or better
- COMM 220 with a B- or better
- Declaration Portfolio http://www.wwu.edu/depts/communication/pdf/guideline.pdf
- An applicant may make a maximum of two attempts to enter the major.
Application deadlines: Declaration Portfolios are to be submitted to the department on or before Monday of the fourth week of classes fall, winter or spring quarters.
Advising Tips: Communications peer advisors are available in CF 203 to answer general questions about the department and assist with applications. A schedule of peer advisor availability is listed on the department website.
Coursework
- Satisfy departmental requirements for declaration of major:
- COMM 101 - Fundamentals of Speech OR
- COMM 235 - Exposition and Argumentationwith a B- or better.
- COMM 220 - Communication Theory with a B- or better.
- COMM 398 - Research Methods in Communication
- COMM 498 - Communication Ethics
- Complete a course that emphasizes library research strategies and skills. Only the following courses are approved:
- COMM 235 - Exposition and Argumentation
- LIBR 201 - Introduction to Research Strategies
- Complete a total of 50 department credits, including:
- COMM 101 and/or COMM 235, COMM 220, COMM 398, COMM 498.
- Minimum of 12 other upper division COMM credits. No more than 6 credits from the following may be counted toward the 50 credits total:
- COMM 236 - Intercollegiate Forensics
- COMM 300 - Independent Study
- COMM 339 - Practicum in Applied Communication
- COMM 400 - Independent Study
- COMM 436 - Advanced Forensics and Debate
- COMM 450 - Communication Pedagogy I
- COMM 451 - Communication Pedagogy II
- COMM 459 - Field Internship in Communication
- Normally, majors will take an official minor comprised of 25 or more credits, approved at the time of declaration. The student may petition to substitute a self-designed major, comprised of at least 25 credits and including a written statement prepared by the student indicating the rationale for the courses selected. Students may substitute a second major, TESOL certification or Internet Studies certification for a minor. Any Communication courses taken as part of a double major, or a minor, or a certification, cannot be double-counted within both the communication major and the double major, minor or certification.
GURs:
These courses are offered within this major and may be used to satisfy GUR or Writing Proficiency Requirements.
- BCOM: COMM 101, 224, 235
- CCOM: COMM 322; LIBR 201
Sample Careers
- Consumer Affairs Specialist
- Personnel Specialist
- Public Relations Specialist
- Promotions Manager
- Recruiter
- Mediator
- Training and Development Specialist
- Bank Officer
- Real Estate Agent
Department
Contact
Department Chair:
Michael Karlberg, Ph.D.
CF289; (360) 650-7367
Michael.Karlberg@wwu.edu
Department Manager:
Ann Reynolds
CF295; 650-3870
Ann.Reynolds@wwu.edu
For pre-major advising, visit the drop-in Communication Peer Advisors in CF203, or the Communication Department Manager in CF295.