Program Overview

Introduction to the Communication Studies Program

The Communication Studies program at Western Washington University focuses on the centrality of human communication for understanding relationships, communities, and individuals. The program's teaching, scholarship, and service nurture inclusive discourse, critical thinking, and cooperative solutions in a diverse global community. Students have opportunities to develop communication skills and explore communication theories within a rigorous liberal arts program.

Why Consider a Communication Studies Major?

Communication competencies and critical cultural consciousness are essential for active participation in societies. Employers in the private, public, and non-profit sectors highly value culturally sensitive and competent communication skills that reflect critical thinking. Communication Studies graduates qualify for a wide variety of careers.

Program Description

The Department of Communication Studies offers students the opportunity to develop competencies in speech, analytical writing, and collaborative teamwork. The department also provides opportunities for students to develop their capacity to engage in critical thinking, apply communication concepts, understand methods for the generation of knowledge, and reflect on the ethical dimensions of their actions.

Student Resources

• Department Website: Communication Studies
• Department Advising: See the department’s advising webpage for more information
• Degree Works: Current students should log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• Sample Careers: Consumer Affairs Specialist, Personnel Specialist, Public Relations Specialist, Promotions Manager, Recruiter, Mediator, Training and Development Specialist, Bank Officer, Real Estate Agent

Admission and Declaration Process

To declare a communication studies major, students must complete:

• One of the following courses with a B- or better: COMM 101, COMM 224, COMM 225, COMM 228, COMM 230, COMM 235, COMM 240, COMM 244, COMM 260
• COMM 220 with a B- or better
• 60 WWU credits or approved transfer credits

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Program Requirements

The Communication Studies program requires 60 credits, including:

• One of the following introductory COMM courses:
  • COMM 101 - Fundamentals of Speech (4 credits)
  • COMM 224 - Small Group Processes (4 credits)
  • COMM 225 - Communication, Diversity and Controversy (4 credits)
  • COMM 228 - Organizational Communication (5 credits)
  • COMM 230 - Rhetorical and Social Change (5 credits)
  • COMM 235 - Introduction to Argumentation and Debate (4 credits)
  • COMM 240 - Media Studies (5 credits)
  • COMM 244 - Advocacy Through Media (5 credits)
  • COMM 260 - Communication, Identity and Difference (5 credits)
• One of the following courses that emphasizes library research:
  • COMM 235 - Introduction to Argumentation and Debate (4 credits)
  • LIBR 201 - Introduction to Research Strategies (4 credits)
• COMM 220 - Communication Theory (5 credits)
• COMM 398 - Research Methods in Communication (5 credits)
• COMM 498 - Communication Ethics (5 credits)
• Electives: Complete additional credits from the categories below to reach 60 credits total for the major:
  • COMM 100-level courses
  • COMM 200-level courses
  • COMM 300-level courses
  • COMM 400-level courses
  • JOUR 190 - Introduction to Mass Media (5 credits)
  • Note: Complete at least 20 credits of upper division COMM credits other than COMM 398 and COMM 498. No more than 6 credits from COMM 236, COMM 300, COMM 339, COMM 400, COMM 436, COMM 450, COMM 451, COMM 452 are allowed to count toward the major. Complete three (3) Writing Proficiency (WP) points in COMM courses.

Departmental Honors

A communication major who wishes to graduate with honors in communication must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.75 at WWU.

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement