Communication
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Communication (BA) Degree Map
Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.
Outcomes & Careers
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$66K
Market Research Analyst
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for market research analysts is $65,810.
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$141K
Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Manager
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers is $141,490.
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$63K
Human Resources Specialist
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for human resources specialists is $63,490.
The Communication curriculum includes 34 hours specific to this major. Students are also expected to complete a minimum of 120 required credits, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.
Required Courses:
- SC001 Exit Interview (0)
- PS280 Introduction to Global Issues (3)
- SC105 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (3)
- SC155 Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication (3)
- SC200 Introduction to Communication Research (3)
- SC215 Intercultural Communication (3)
- SC314 Argumentation & Problem Solving (3)
- SC316 Gender Communication (3)
- SC357 Rhetoric of Images (3)
- SC359 Ethics of Dialogue & Deliberation (3)
- SC363 Communication Theory & Research (3)
- SC425 Persuasion (3)
- SO201 Social Problems in Contemporary Society (3)
- SW201 Social Economic Justice (3)
Choose 3 hours:
- SC310 Speechwriting (3)
- SC491 Investigating Communication (3)
Choose 3 hours:
- SC423 Political Communication (3)
- UI504 Leaders of Social Change (3)
Choose 3 hours:
- MC434 Public Relations Campaigns & Case Studies (3)
- SC483 Internship (3)
Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.
- Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
- Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
- Written Communication – 6 hours
- Oral Communication – 3 hours
- Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
- Mathematics – 3 hours
- Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
- Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
- Civics examination
Freshman Year
Fall Semester (13 Hours)
- UI100 (1)
- EN100 (3)
- SC105/SC155 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- SC105/SC155 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester (18 Hours)
- SC215 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- Minor Course (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- PS280 (3)
- SC200 (3)
- SW201 (3)
- General Education (3)
- Minor Course (3)
Junior Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- SC310/SC491 (3)
- SC314 (3)
- SO205 (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- SC316 (3)
- SC357 (3)
- SC363 (3)
- Minor Course (3)
- Elective (3)
Senior Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- MC434/SC483 (3)
- SC359 (3)
- SC423/UI504 (3)
- SC425 (3)
- Minor Course (3)
Spring Semester (14 Hours)
- SC001 (0)
- SC483/MC434 (3)
- Minor Course (3)
- Minor Course (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
NOTE: Consider taking a summer or wintersession course to avoid 18-hour semesters.
Degree requirements for all students: a minimum of 120 credit hours, completion of the General Education program, and completion of 39 senior division hours (300-599). Refer to the Undergraduate Bulletin or Degree Works for additional graduation requirements for your program.
A minimum 2.0 GPA in the major and overall are required to graduate with a BA degree.
What will it cost?
Hands-on Learning
You can gain hands-on real-world experience through internship opportunities, our award-winning debate team, and various student organizations.
Get Funding for Your Education
Missouri’s opened the door to a more educated workforce. We want to help you walk through it. If you’re an adult learner and a Missouri resident returning to college, learn about the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant. It’s a statewide financial aid program that can be used to pursue a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in a high need area in Missouri. This major is eligible for the Fast Track grant.
Become a Redhawk.
Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.
Is the Relational Communication Option Only for Communication Studies Majors?
The Relational Communication Option is not solely dedicated to Communication Studies Majors. Course content is key for majors pursuing careers in marketing, management, sales, human resources, advertising and public relations, as well as fundraising, community outreach, nonprofit administration, and health care management. However, students pursuing majors in psychology, counseling, social work, and ministry work will benefit from developing an adaptable interpersonal skillset, and those in majors focused on educational settings (including parks/recreation and history/anthropology) will benefit from learning techniques in effective audience analysis, presentation skills, and an enhanced understanding of diverse populations.
In addition to providing students the tools to participate meaningfully in social and work life, the Relational Communication track only requires 34 classroom hours. The Relational Communication track is the perfect double major for those students who want to increase their competitiveness in the job market or in graduate school applications.
Alumna
"Until my last year at SEMO, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but one amazing instructor can help you figure that out in one academic year. Jeanne Harris had never had a student with a vision impairment in her classes until I took her Relational Communications class. And her willingness to learn, that’s the most amazing thing ever from an instructor. "
Kayla Patek
Communications Studies & Modern Languages
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701