Program Overview

Introduction to the Communication Studies Major

The Communication Studies degree program at Temple University requires students to complete 124 credit hours of coursework to earn their degree. The Lew Klein College of Media and Communication academic advising team works with each student to select a concentration and the appropriate courses.

Degree Requirements

Each student's academic plan will look different based on the chosen area of focus and based on how many courses they complete each term. A sample four-year curriculum could include the following:

Year 1

• Fall
  • CMST 1111: Communication and Public Life (3 credit hours)
  • Select one of the following (Communication Theory) (3 credit hours)
    • ADV 1101: Introduction to Media and Society
    • ADV 1102: Introduction to Advertising
    • JRN 1111: Journalism and Society
    • MSP 1011: Introduction to Media Theory
  • ENG 0802, 0812, or 0902: Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] (4 credit hours)
  • GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course [GQ] (4 credit hours)
  • KLN 1001: Klein First-Year Seminar (1 credit hour)
  • Total Credit Hours: 15
• Spring
  • MSP 1021: Media and Society (3 credit hours)
  • GenEd Breadth Course (3 credit hours)
  • GenEd Breadth Course (3 credit hours)
  • GenEd Breadth Course (3 credit hours)
  • Elective (3 credit hours)
  • Total Credit Hours: 15

Year 2

• Fall
  • CMST 2111: Communications Seminar (3 credit hours)
  • Select one of the following (Analysis) (3 credit hours)
    • ADV 2151: Introduction to Art Direction: Visual Communication
    • MSP 2421: Media Popular Culture
    • CSI 1111 or 1911: Introduction to Public Speaking
  • IH 0851 or 0951: Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] (3 credit hours)
  • GenEd Breadth Course (3-4 credit hours)
  • GenEd Breadth Course (3 credit hours)
  • Total Credit Hours: 15
• Spring
  • Select one of the following (Research Methods) (3 credit hours)
    • ADV 2141: Introduction to Brand Strategy and Research
    • JRN 2101: Journalism Research
    • MSP 2141: Media Research
  • Select one of the following (Cross-Cultural Perspectives) (3 credit hours)
    • CSI 3701: Intercultural Communication
    • CSI 3702: Communication, Culture and Identity
  • IH 0852 or 0952: Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] (3 credit hours)
  • GenEd Breadth Course (3 credit hours)
  • GenEd Breadth Course (3 credit hours)
  • Total Credit Hours: 15

Year 3

• Fall
  • One Concentration Track Course - any level (3 credit hours)
  • One Writing-Intensive Concentration Track Course - any level (3 credit hours)
  • Electives (10 credit hours)
  • Total Credit Hours: 16
• Spring
  • One Concentration Track Course (3 credit hours)
  • One Concentration Track Course (3 credit hours)
  • Electives (10 credit hours)
  • Total Credit Hours: 16

Year 4

• Fall
  • One Writing-Intensive Concentration Track Course (3 credit hours)
  • One Concentration Track Course - any level (3 credit hours)
  • Electives (10 credit hours)
  • Total Credit Hours: 16
• Spring
  • One Concentration Course (3 credit hours)
  • Electives (13 credit hours)
  • Total Credit Hours: 16
• Total Credit Hours: 124