Communication—Elementary Education, BAEd

College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Woodring College of Education

What Is the Study of Communication—Elementary?

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.

This major satisfies the academic major requirement for teacher certification with an endorsement in elementary education and must be accompanied by the professional preparation program in elementary education.

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.

Applying to the Elementary Education Professional Program:

Admission to the Elementary Education Professional Program is required before a student may begin taking courses in the Professional Sequence. Requirements for consideration of an application include:

  • Completion of a minimum of 45 credits (most or all GURs complete)
  • Cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher overall or for the last 45 credits
  • Acceptable WEST-B scores. This test is offered 6 times a year at various sites in the state. Visit the WEST-B website at www.west.nesinc.com for more information.
  • Completion of an English composition course with grade of B- or higher
  • Completed application

Meeting the above criteria makes the applicant eligible for admission, but does not guarantee admission. For further information, visit Teacher Education Admissions, Miller Hall 214, 360-650-3313 or visit the web site at www.wce.wwu.edu/admiss. See also: Elementary Education Professional Program Guide

Coursework

  • Satisfy departmental requirements for declaration of major:
    • Complete COMM 101 - Fundamentals of Speech
  • OR
    • COMM 235 - Exposition and Argumentation 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 departmental 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 six 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

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
  • QSR: MATH 381 and MATH 382

Sample Careers

  • Elementary Teacher

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

Undergraduate Advisor:

For pre-major advising, visit the drop-in Communication Peer Advisors in CF203, or the Communication Department Manager in CF295.

Elementary Education Professional Program Information

Miller Hall 300
(360) 650-3336
http://www.wce.wwu.edu/Depts/ELED/

Teacher Education Admissions

MH 150
360-650-3313
www.wce.wwu.edu/admiss

Elementary Education Professional Program Advisor and Program Manager:

Ellen Kreider
MH 301D
360-650-7948
Ellen.Kreider@wwu.edu

Related Majors

Communication, BA