Campus: NYC
This program provides students with an education in media studies and public/professional communication. Students learn to think critically about communication and media in their social and cultural forms. A degree in Communication Studies prepares students for a variety of careers in broadcasting, journalism, marketing, music distribution, publishing, public relations, social media, politics, law, and corporate communication. Students can have cross-disciplinary minors and participate in internships.
Major Completion Summary
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| University Core Requirements | 44-55 |
| Major Requirements | 42 |
| Open Electives | 31-42 |
| Total Credits | 128 |
University Core Requirements (44-55 Credits)
See complete University Core requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Core | ||
| Complete University Core Requirements | 44-55 | |
| Total Credits | 44-55 | |
Major Requirements (42 Credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Core Courses | ||
| COS 111 | Introduction to Communication | 3 |
| COS 113 | Media, Culture, and Society | 3 |
| COS 114 | Introduction to Mass Media | 3 |
| Major Elective Courses | ||
| Group One - Content Creation | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| COS 226 | Writing for the Electronic Media | 3 |
| COS 228 | Writing for Convergent Technologies | 3 |
| COS 280 | Introduction to Journalism 1 | 3 |
| May select approved course in content creation | ||
| Group Two - Public/Professional Communication | ||
| Select a minimum of 12 credits: | 12-15 | |
| COS 119 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| COS 203 | Persuasive Speaking | 3 |
| COS 205 | Dynamics of Small Group Communication | 3 |
| COS 208 | Business and Professional Speech | 3 |
| COS 209 | Speech Writing | 3 |
| COS 214 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COS 239 | Milestones in Communication Research 1 | 3 |
| COS 280 | Introduction to Journalism 1 | 3 |
| COS 313 | The Dark Side of Communication 2 | 3 |
| COS 332 | Self-Presentation and Impression Management through Communication | 3 |
| COS 334 | Persuasion and Compliance-Gaining | 3 |
| COS 341 | Citizen Journalism and Deliberation | 3 |
| COS 213 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| MAR 201 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| SPE 203 | Persuasive Speaking | 3 |
| SPE 309 | Speechwriting | 3 |
| May select Approved Topics Courses in COS 296, COS 297, COS 396, or COS 397. | ||
| Group Three - Media Studies | ||
| Select a minimum of 12 credits: | 12-15 | |
| COS 231 | Media Synergy and the Graphic Novel | 3 |
| COS 235 | Advertising and Consumer Culture | 3 |
| COS 242 | New Communication Technologies and Moral Panic | 3 |
| COS 243 | Comics, Cartoons and the American Conversation | 3 |
| COS 244 | Digital Cultures | 3 |
| COS 245 | Communication and Popular Culture | 3 |
| COS 248 | Cultural Communications Through Masterpieces of Cinema | 3 |
| COS 250 | Digital Youth Activism | 3 |
| COS 270 | Political Communication | 3 |
| COS 310 | Communication and Media Analytics | 3 |
| COS 311 | Ethics, Morality, and the Media | 3 |
| COS 312 | Introduction to Cultural Studies | 3 |
| COS 313 | The Dark Side of Communication 2 | 3 |
| COS 335 | Media and Gender | 3 |
| COS 336 | Propaganda | 3 |
| COS 338 | Media Criticism | 3 |
| COS 481 | Language and Power | 3 |
| May select Approved Topics Courses in COS 296, COS 297, COS 396, or COS 397. | ||
| One additional Group 2 or Group 3 course (3 credits) | 3 | |
| May select Approved COS Topics for example COS 296 or COS 396. | ||
| Total Credits | 42 | |
| 1 | COS 280 Introduction to Journalism may be taken for Group 1 or Group 2 |
| 2 | COS 313 may be taken for Group 2 or Group 3 |
Open Electives (31-42 Credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Open Electives | ||
| Select 31-42 credits | 31-42 | |
| Total Credits | 31-42 | |
General Track
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENG 110 | Composition | 3 |
| UNV 101 | First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community | 1 |
| Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course | 3 | |
| COS 111 | Introduction to Communication | 3 |
| Take one Learning Community (LC) course | 6 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| COS 113 | Media, Culture, and Society | 3 |
| MAT 102 | Mathematics for Life | 3 |
| ENG 120 | Critical Writing | 4 |
| CIS 101 |
Introduction to Computing (Or TS 105) or Problem Solving Using Technology or Introduction to Information Technology |
3 |
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 2 or Group 3) | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COS 114 | Introduction to Mass Media | 3 |
| COM 200 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course | 3 | |
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 1) | 3 | |
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 3) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 201 | Writing in the Disciplines | 3 |
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 2) | 3 | |
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 3) | 3 | |
| Take any two remaining Area of Knowledge course | 6 | |
| Open Elective Course (Writing Enhanced (WE) course) | 3 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 2) | 3 | |
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 3) | 3 | |
| Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course (Writing Enhanced (WE) course) | 3 | |
| Open Elective Course | 3 | |
| Open Elective Course | 3 | |
| First Second Language Course. See Advisor for guidelines | 3 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| One Lab science course | 3-4 | |
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 1) | 3 | |
| Open Elective Course | 3 | |
| Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course that is also a Civic Engagement (CE) course | 3 | |
| Second Language Course, if applicable | 3 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 3) | 3 | |
| COS 393 | Internship Program l (Recommended) | 3 |
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 2) | 3 | |
| Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course | 3 | |
| Open Elective Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| COS 394 | Internship Program II (Recommended) | 3 |
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 2) | 3 | |
| Open Elective Course | 3 | |
| Open Elective Course | 3 | |
| Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 128-129 | |
Communication Studies, BA/Communications and Digital Media, MA Track
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENG 110 or ENG 120 |
Composition (Depending on placement exam results) or Critical Writing |
3 |
| COS 111 | Introduction to Communication | 3 |
| UNV 101 | First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community | 1 |
| Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course | 3 | |
| Take two Learning Community (LC) courses | 6 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| COS 113 | Media, Culture, and Society | 3 |
| MAT 102 | Mathematics for Life | 3 |
| ENG 120 | Critical Writing | 4 |
| CIS 101 |
Introduction to Computing (Or TS 105) or Problem Solving Using Technology or Introduction to Information Technology |
3 |
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 2 or Group 3) | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COS 114 | Introduction to Mass Media | 3 |
| COM 200 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course | 3 | |
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 1) | 3 | |
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 3) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 201 | Writing in the Disciplines | 3 |
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 2) | 3 | |
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 3) | 3 | |
| Take any two remaining Area of Knowledge course | 6 | |
| Open Elective Course (Writing Enhanced (WE) course) | 3 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course (Writing Enhanced (WE) course) | 3 | |
| First Second Language Course. See Advisor for guidelines | 3 | |
| Open Elective Course | 3 | |
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 2) | 3 | |
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 3) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course that is also a Civic Engagement (CE) course | 3 | |
| Second Language Course, if applicable | 3 | |
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 1) | 3 | |
| Open Elective Course | 3 | |
| One Lab science course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course | 3 | |
| MCA 601 | Industry Theory and Practice | 4 |
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 3) | 3 | |
| COS 393 | Internship Program l (Recommended) | 3 |
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 2) | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course | 3 | |
| COS 394 | Internship Program II (Recommended) | 3 |
| MCA 603 | Effective Speaking for Industry Professionals | 4 |
| One major elective course in subject COS (Group 2) | 3 | |
| MCA 610 | Communications Research | 4 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Fifth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MCA 602 | Writing for Organizations | 4 |
| One major elective course in subject MCA | 4 | |
| One major elective course in subject MCA | 4 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| One major elective course in subject MCA | 4 | |
| One major elective course in subject MCA | 4 | |
| MCA 693 | Internship (Thesis) | 4 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 152 | |