The School of Communication Studies (COMS) offers a liberal arts education, emphasizing the scientific and artistic bases of communication. The School is committed to providing quality instruction in the theoretical understanding of human communication and the application of theory in specific contexts. The major in communication studies also equips students with the competencies most prized by employers including strong oral and written communication, effective interpersonal and group communication skills, critical thinking, meeting planning, and problem-solving/decision-making (Booher, 2003).
Communication Courses
The core courses combine theory and practice as students study the historical and conceptual foundations of the field of communication. All of our undergraduate students are communication studies majors, but each pursues a concentration in one of three areas:
- Communication and Public Advocacy
- Health Communication
- Organizational Communication
Sample Courses
The COMS B.S.C. requires a minimum of 120 total credit hours, including 42-credit hours in COMS and 18-credit hours of related area coursework outside of COMS.
COMS Core Requirements
- COMS 1030 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking
- COMS 1100 - Communication Among Cultures
- COMS 2050 - Techniques of Group Discussion
- COMS 2060 - Communication in Interpersonal Relationships
- COMS 2150 - Argumentative Analysis and Advocacy
COMS Theory Requirement
- COMS 2350 - Introduction to Communication Theory
- COMS 4800 - Capstone Seminar in Communication
Complete two of the following courses:
- COMS 3400 - Introduction to Health Communication
- COMS 3500 - Introduction to Organizational Communication
- COMS 3600 - Introduction to Communication in Public Advocacy
COMS Research Methods
- COMS 3420 - Qualitative Inquiry in Communication
- COMS 3520 - Quantitative Inquiry in Communication
- COMS 3620 - Rhetorical Inquiry and Criticism
COMS Electives
Complete five courses (two courses must be at the 3000- or 4000-level) for a minimum of 15 credit hours.
COMS Related Area
Students are expected to complete a minimum of 18 credit hours in a minor, certificate, or related area outside COMS. Students should attempt to balance lower-division (1000-2000) and upper-division (3000-4000) courses with at least one-half of the credits at the upper-division level.
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Potential Careers
Students completing the Bachelor of Science in Communication degree in the School of Communication Studies are prepared with transferable competency sets that enable them to work in a variety of organizations including corporate training, foreign service, law, politics, labor relations, human services, campaign management, event planning, and more. For example:
- As of 2023, Human Resources Specialists earn an annual median wage of $67,650.
- Employment demand for Human Resources Specialists in Ohio is projected to grow by 5-8% by 2032.
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Tuition and Fees
The OHIO Guarantee takes the guesswork out of budgeting for college and provides a fixed rate table for tuition and most fees for four years (or 12 consecutive semesters).
Financial aid for undergraduate students (regardless of discipline) is available in the form of scholarships, grants and student loans. Visit our Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships to learn more.
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West Virginia and Kentucky Residents
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Learning Environment
Classrooms include state of the art technologies designed to assist students with moving toward degree progress.
Program Admission Requirements
First-Year Students
Anyone who holds a high school diploma or has a GED certificate is eligible for admission to any Ohio University regional campus. Regional campuses have a rolling admissions policy which means that students may be admitted anytime during the year. Applicants will be accepted until class begins each semester. However, prospective students are advised to begin the application process as soon as possible so that they may be given important dates and deadlines in a timely manner. Freshmen applicants are encouraged to complete an online application for enrollment .
Transfer and Current OHIO Students
You are a transfer applicant if you have completed nine or more semester (12 quarter) hours at another institution after you graduated from high school. If you have completed fewer than nine semester hours, you will apply as a freshman applicant. To apply as a transfer student, applicants are encouraged to complete an online application for enrollment .
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* Includes scholarships, grants, loans, federal work student and CARES/HEERF funding.