Program Overview

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Communication, B.A.

Communication, B.A. (Madrid)

Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication program at Saint Louis University teaches students to design, deliver, and analyze messages to influence, connect, and inform. The program integrates the study of human communication, media, and strategic communication to prepare students for careers in journalism and media, advertising, public relations, and corporate, government, and nonprofit settings.

Learning Outcomes

• Graduates will be able to create oral, written, and digital messages relevant to the audience, purpose, and context.
• Graduates will be able to apply communication theory.
• Graduates will be able to engage in communication research.
• Graduates will be able to critically analyze messages.
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate cultural communication competence.
• Graduates will be able to apply ethical communication principles and practices.
• Graduates will be able to recognize and address systemic injustice and inequity in pursuit of a just society.

Curriculum Overview

The program offers three concentrations:

• Communication Studies
• Integrated Strategic Communication
• Journalism and Media Studies

Communication Studies Concentration

Course List

• CMM 1000: Human Communication and Culture (3 credits)
• CMM 1200: Public Speaking (3 credits)
• CMM 2400: Media and Society (3 credits)
• CMM 2800: Communication Research (3 credits)
• CMM 2120: Message Design (3 credits)
• Foundations Requirements (9 credits)
• Production Requirement (6 credits)
• Communication Inquiry Requirement (3 credits)

Plan of Study Grid

Year One

• Fall: CMM 1000, CORE 1000, CORE 1500, University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Course (3 credits)
• Spring: CMM 1200, University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (6 credits)

Year Two

• Fall: CMM 2400, University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (6 credits)
• Spring: CMM 2800, CMM 2120, University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (3 credits)

Year Three

• Fall: Communication Studies Explorations Course (3 credits), University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (6 credits)
• Spring: Communication Studies Explorations Course (3 credits), Communication Elective or Internship (3 credits), University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Communication Production Course (3 credits)

Year Four

• Fall: Communication Studies Explorations Course (3 credits), Communication Production Course (3 credits), University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (3 credits)
• Spring: CMM Studies Comm Inquiry Course (3 credits), Communication Elective (3 credits), University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (3 credits)

Integrated Strategic Communication Concentration

Course List

• CMM 1000: Human Communication and Culture (3 credits)
• CMM 1200: Public Speaking (3 credits)
• CMM 2400: Media and Society (3 credits)
• CMM 2800: Communication Research (3 credits)
• CMM 2100: Journalism: News Writing (3 credits)
• CMM 3500: Integrated Strategic Communication Principles (3 credits)
• Advanced Writing Elective (3 credits)
• Production Requirement (6 credits)
• Advanced Research Requirement (3 credits)
• Practicum Requirement (3 credits)

Plan of Study Grid

Year One

• Fall: CMM 1000, CORE 1000, CORE 1500, University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Course (3 credits)
• Spring: CMM 1200, University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (6 credits)

Year Two

• Fall: CMM 2400, University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (6 credits)
• Spring: CMM 2800, CMM 2100, University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (3 credits)

Year Three

• Fall: CMM 3500, University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (6 credits)
• Spring: Communication Production Course (3 credits), Communication Elective or Internship (3 credits), University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (3 credits)

Year Four

• Fall: CMM 3610 or CMM 3710, CMM 4700, Communication Production Course (3 credits), University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits)
• Spring: CMM 4600 or CMM 4720, Communication Elective (3 credits), University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (3 credits)

Journalism and Media Studies Concentration

Course List

• CMM 1000: Human Communication and Culture (3 credits)
• CMM 1200: Public Speaking (3 credits)
• CMM 2400: Media and Society (3 credits)
• CMM 2800: Communication Research (3 credits)
• CMM 2100: Journalism: News Writing (3 credits)
• Advanced Writing Elective (3 credits)
• Foundations Requirement (6 credits)
• Production Requirement (6 credits)
• Advanced JAMS Elective (3 credits)

Plan of Study Grid

Year One

• Fall: CMM 1000, CORE 1000, CORE 1500, University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Course (3 credits)
• Spring: CMM 1200, University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (6 credits)

Year Two

• Fall: CMM 2400, University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (6 credits)
• Spring: CMM 2800, CMM 2100, University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (3 credits)

Year Three

• Fall: Journalism and Media Studies Foundations Course (3 credits), Communication Production Course (3 credits), University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (3 credits)
• Spring: Journalism and Media Studies Foundations Course (3 credits), University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (6 credits)

Year Four

• Fall: Journalism and Media Studies Advanced Writing Course (3 credits), Communication Elective or Internship (3 credits), Communication Production Course (3 credits), University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits)
• Spring: Advanced Journalism and Media Studies Elective Course (3 credits), Communication Elective (3 credits), University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (3 credits)

Media Production, Journalism, and Culture Concentration (Madrid)

Course List

• CMM 1000: Human Communication and Culture (3 credits)
• CMM 1200: Public Speaking (3 credits)
• CMM 2400: Media and Society (3 credits)
• CMM 2800: Communication Research (3 credits)
• CMM 2100: Journalism: News Writing (3 credits)
• CMM 1500: Introduction to Digital Media Production (3 credits)
• Foundations Requirements (9 credits)
• Advanced Research Requirement (3 credits)
• Additional Communication Elective Courses (3 credits)

Plan of Study Grid

Year One

• Fall: CMM 1000, CORE 1000, CORE 1500, University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Course (3 credits)
• Spring: CMM 1200, University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (6 credits)

Year Two

• Fall: CMM 2400, University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (6 credits)
• Spring: CMM 2800, CMM 2100, University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (3 credits)

Year Three

• Fall: Foundations Requirements (3 credits), University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (6 credits)
• Spring: Foundations Requirements (3 credits), Communication Production Course (3 credits), University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (3 credits)

Year Four

• Fall: Foundations Requirements (3 credits), CMM 4480 or CMM 4800, Communication Production Course (3 credits), University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits)
• Spring: Additional Communication Elective Course (3 credits), Communication Elective (3 credits), University Undergraduate Core Courses (6 credits), Minor/2nd Major/Elective Courses (3 credits)

Admission Requirements

• Freshman: Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework, graduating from an accredited high school, or acceptable HiSET exam score or GED test.
• Transfer: Graduate of an accredited high school or acceptable score on the GED or HiSET, and a minimum of 24 semester credits of college credit.
• International Applicants: Demonstrate English Language Proficiency, and all academic records must include an English translation.

Tuition

• Undergraduate Tuition: $56,960 per year

Scholarships and Financial Aid

• Scholarships: Awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership, and financial need.
• Financial Aid: Provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

Continuation Standards

• Maintain a 2.00 GPA in the major after completing 18 credits.
• Failure to meet this standard will result in the student being placed on probation.
• If the student's GPA in the major does not reach 2.00 after two additional semesters, the department may dismiss the student from the program.

Graduation Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses numbered below 1000).
• Complete the University Undergraduate Core curriculum requirements.
• Complete major requirements: minimum of 30 credits required.
• Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate, or electives to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
• Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s), and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate or related elective credits.
• Complete department- and program-specific academic and performance requirements.
• Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through Saint Louis University or an approved study-abroad program.
• Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through Saint Louis University or an approved study-abroad program.
• Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.

Attributed Courses

Communication Studies Inquiry Courses

• CMM 4820: Community-based Inquiry (3 credits)
• CMM 4830: Investigating Complexities in Health Communication: Collaborative Research in Action (3 credits)

Communication Studies Explorations Courses

• CMM 3000: Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
• CMM 3060: Political Communication (3 credits)
• CMM 3090: Health Communication (3 credits)
• CMM 3200: Organizational Communication (3 credits)
• CMM 3300: Intercultural Communication (3 credits)
• CMM 3840: Analysis of Popular Culture (3 credits)
• CMM 4000: Family Communication (3 credits)
• CMM 4050: Theories of Persuasion (3 credits)
• CMM 4070: Social Justice Communication (3 credits)
• CMM 4200: Leadership and Teams (3 credits)
• CMM 4300: Gender and Communication (3 credits)
• CMM 4310: Dialogue Facilitation: Communication Strategies to Support Social Justice (3 credits)
• CMM 4320: Communicating Across Racial Divisions (3 credits)
• CMM 4430: Culture, Technology and Communication (3 credits)

Communication Production Courses

• CMM 1500: Introduction to Digital Media Production (3 credits)
• CMM 2510: Video Production and Design (3 credits)
• CMM 2550: Photojournalism (3 credits)
• CMM 3120: Media Scriptwriting (3 credits)
• CMM 3510: Studio Production (3 credits)
• CMM 3530: Documentary Production (3 credits)
• CMM 3560: Publication Design (3 credits)
• CMM 4100: Multiplatform Journalism (3 credits)
• CMM 4500: Digital Portfolios and Professional Practice (3 credits)
• CMM 4810: Digital Storytelling (3 credits)

Journalism and Media Studies Foundations Courses

• CMM 3420: Literary Journalism (3 credits)
• CMM 3440: Media Ethics (3 credits)
• CMM 3840: Analysis of Popular Culture (3 credits)
• CMM 4350: Stereotyping and Bias in the Mass Media (3 credits)
• CMM 4420: Free Expression: Law and Practice (3 credits)
• CMM 4430: Culture, Technology and Communication (3 credits)
• CMM 4460: Global Media (3 credits)
• CMM 4470: Media and Politics (3 credits)
• CMM 4490: Race, Media and Technology (3 credits)

Journalism and Media Studies Advanced Writing Courses

• CMM 3110: Feature Writing (3 credits)
• CMM 3120: Media Scriptwriting (3 credits)
• CMM 3130: Editorial and Opinion Writing (3 credits)
• CMM 4100: Multiplatform Journalism (3 credits)
• CMM 4150: Advanced Reporting for Social Justice (3 credits)
• CMM 4160: Editing (3 credits)

Advanced Journalism and Media Studies Elective Courses

• Select one additional course (3 credits) with either the 'CMM JAMS Advanced Writing' attribute or the 'CMM Production Course Req' attribute.