Major Code BS1959*

Honors Tutorial College
35 Park Place
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.2723
honors.college@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/honors/tutorial-college

Roger Aden, director of studies/contact person
aden@ohio.edu

Program Overview

Communication studies draws from the liberal arts tradition and a variety of pre-professional contexts to explore human communication in messages, relationships, and culture. The Honors Tutorial program builds upon the strengths of the School of Communication Studies (COMS) in three main areas:

• Public advocacy (including political communication, argumentation, legal communication, and nonprofit advocacy).
• Organizational communication (including the role of communication in developing relationship within groups and teams, leadership within organizations, and sharing the organization’s efforts in public venues).
• Health communication (including communication between caregivers and patients, patients and social support networks, and public health messages).

Following graduation, some COMS HTC graduates attend law school or enter other graduate programs, some begin careers in political and other non-profit organizations (e.g., Teach for America), and some begin careers in other organizations. 

The HTC program in Communication Studies aims to provide the student with a comprehensive understanding of communication theory and practice, a student-driven focus in a specific aspect of communication studies, and extensive experience in communication inquiry and research. COMS HTC students will learn with other COMS majors in some courses, while developing their expertise in tutorials devoted to developing in-depth experience and understanding.

The School of Communication Studies emphasizes the value of understanding others, while recognizing the limits of one’s own knowledge and experience. Thus, in addition to required coursework in the major, COMS HTC students are encourage to study abroad and learn a second language during their undergraduate years. Students who choose to study abroad may have one or more of the required courses and/or tutorials waived by the Director of Studies.

Part of the Scripps College of Communication, the School of Communication Studies is home to Ohio University’s award-winning interscholastic forensics program (varsity speech and debate team) as well as other student organizations. COMS HTC students are encouraged to participate in all aspects of the life of the school and college.

*This program was previously BC1918 which awarded the Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies degree. Pending Board of Trustees approval (anticipated June 2024), the new program code will be BS1959 and will award the Bachelor of Science effective the 2024-25 catalog year.

Tutorials

Each semester the student will complete a tutorial of at least 3 hours on a topic chosen in consultation with and approved by the Director of Studies and the faculty tutor. In the fall semester of the first year, the student will complete an introductory tutorial, which may cover such topics as interpersonal relationships, communication contexts (small groups, health, public advocacy), scholarly writing, and research traditions.

Every tutorial will cover its theme in depth and will conclude with a significant product appropriate to the topic. Tutorials are geared to each student’s specific interests and career plans. 

Students will work with the Director of Studies to ensure applied research, field experience, or creative activity is included in third-year tutorials as experiential learning.

Thesis

Each student is required to write a thesis on a topic in communication studies developed in consultation with and approved by the Director of Studies. Each student publicly presents a summary of the completed thesis to the COMS HTC community. Tutorials during the third year prepare the student to develop a topic and appropriate research methods. Tutorials during the fourth year focus on thesis research and writing.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

Applicants are selected by the Director of Studies of the communication studies tutorial program and the Honors Tutorial College on the basis of superior academic ability and the potential for self-motivated study and research. Applicants typically are required to submit additional essays, and an interview with the director of studies is required for admission. More information, including materials and deadlines, is available at www.ohio.edu/honors/tutorial-college/apply .

Change of Program Policy

First-year students at Ohio University may apply to transfer into the communication studies tutorial program and the Honors Tutorial College. These students must meet the same entrance requirements as entering freshmen. 

External Transfer Admission

First-year students at another institution may also apply to transfer into the communication studies tutorial program and the Honors Tutorial College. These students must meet the same entrance requirements as entering freshmen. 

Opportunities Upon Graduation

Following graduation, about half of COMS HTC graduates attend law school or enter other graduate programs, another 30% begin careers in political and other non-profit organizations (e.g., Teach for America), and 20% begin careers in business and media organizations.

Requirements