Communication B.S.

Degree: Bachelor of Science Degree
Office: College of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Communication & Media
Phone: (470) 578-6298

The program of study in communication offers a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in one of two  academic concentrations:  (1) Media and Entertainment Studies or (2) Organizational Communication.

Organizational Communication Concentration

Organizational Communication professionals study the role of communication in increasing corporate productivity and employee satisfaction. KSU is the only Georgia institution offering an undergraduate concentration in Organizational Communication. Organizational Communication students learn the skills they need to develop employee training programs, training manuals, and employee handbooks. Students also conduct communication audits at area companies to measure employee satisfaction with company communication practices. Students often intern in corporate human resources or training and development departments.

Media and Entertainment Studies Concentration

The Media Studies Concentration helps students navigate the media-rich culture as critical thinkers and intentional media creators and users in employment and in personal life. The three competency areas-Technology, Writing, and Media Literacy-offer a focused set of knowledge gains our media studies graduates will need in an increasingly complex and converging media world. The concentration is designed to give students the freedom to personalize their studies. Students can make creative combinations of courses to suit their interests and blend knowledge and insight in interdisciplinary ways. Graduates from this concentration will be more savvy media consumers, parents, and participants in the democratic process. Career directions could include, among others: media sales, media buyer, media research, public affairs, writing and publishing, public information officer, community outreach, political advocacy, ministry, as well as communication-based jobs in local, state and federal government. Media Studies also is useful preparation for graduate study.

The Communication major requires 18 credit hours of lower division course work (1000-2000 level) comprising various offerings, both inside and outside of the communication discipline, that serve as important groundwork leading to advanced studies. Lower division offerings include basic courses in communication research, visual communication, public speaking, writing, information systems, and an introductory course relevant to the student’s selected concentration.

All communication majors must earn a grade of “C” or better in all communication courses counted toward their degree and pass the Communication Entrance Exam with a score of 70% or higher. Students who fail to pass the grammar test in three attempts must pursue majors in other departments.

To be eligible to apply to a major in Communication, students must meet the following criteria:

• Meet the School of Communication & Media (SOCM) Sophomore GPA Requirement. This Sophomore GPA requirement consists of combined adjusted 2.75 GPA in the following five courses:
  •     COM 2020
  •     COM 2033
  •     COM 2129
  •     COM 2135
  •     COM 2205 or COM 2230
• Achieve a satisfactory score on the SOCM Entrance Exam. Students may take the test no more than three times.