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Communication Studies is a broad-based discipline concerned with the exchange of messages in interpersonal and mediated situations and with the impact of such exchanges on society. Courses focus on understanding the communication process and developing skills to communicate effectively. The Department offers a wide range of courses in interpersonal, group, and organizational communication, rhetorical theory and criticism, public relations, media communication, research methodologies, and digital media (video or multimedia).

Concentrations

BA - General Communication: for students who focus on criticism and public communication; interpersonal and small group communication; or intercultural and international communication.

BA - Organizational Communication: for students who specialize in communication in an organizational setting, including understanding how to observe, analyze, enhance and propose changes in communication practices.

BA - Public Relations: for students who wish to prepare for a professional career in public relations.

BA - Media Communication: for students who study mass communication.

BA - Digital Media: for students who wish to prepare for a professional career in digital video or new media.

• Communication Studies faculty possess professional expertise and academic excellence. Faculty maintain a high level of scholarly publication, creative activity, consulting, and outstanding teaching.
• The Sacramento State Debate Program is highly ranked nationwide with opportunities for both experienced and beginning debaters.
• The Department's Internship Program serves over 100 students each semester with internships in government agencies, private industry, TV stations, and public service organizations.
• The Department sponsors Epsilon Phi, a chapter of the national communication studies honors society Lambda Pi Eta. Students eligible for membership participate in a variety of activities including an honors seminar and a student mentoring program.
• The Department also sponsors SPRSA, our student chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

Units required for Major: 39-48
Minimum total units required for the BA: 120
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

General Requirements

• All Communication Studies majors except those in Media Communication and Digital Media are required to complete at least one three-unit public speaking course such as COMS 4, COMS 104, or transfer equivalent. Public speaking courses taken to fulfill the GE oral communication requirement also fulfill this Department requirement.
• Majors must complete each core course and each option core course with a grade of "C-" or better.
• Not more than 6 units of debate, internship and/or individual study (COMS 110, COMS 111, COMS 194, COMS 195, COMS 199) can be applied to the major requirements.
• Majors are urged to take COMS 2, Argumentation (or transfer equivalent) to fulfill their critical thinking requirement.
• Communication Studies courses may only be repeated once for a grade change. Students who fail to achieve at least a "C-" in two attempts in a core course will be disqualified in majoring in Communication Studies.
• One project or paper from each capstone course will be reviewed by selected faculty for the purpose of departmental assessment.

Pre-Major Requirements

Prior to acceptance as a Communication Studies major, students must complete a pre-major consisting of all required lower division courses plus the upper division survey course (COMS 100A). Students must successfully complete each pre-major course with a grade of "C-" or better. Students with a Sacramento State grade point average of 2.3 or better may request early admission to the major.

REQUIREMENTS - BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE - CONCENTRATION IN GENERAL COMMUNICATION

Units Required: 39
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

This concentration is designed to:

• improve student awareness, understanding and practice of communication in professional and social interactions;
• enhance the traditional citizenship role in the democratic process; and
• train students in communication skills in preparation for professions within the public or private sectors of the economy.

Additional Requirements for Options

Four approved options currently comprise the General Communication Concentration: Criticism and Public Communication, Interpersonal and Small Group Communication, Intercultural and International Communication, and Self-Designed Study Option. Students choosing this concentration must either complete the requirements as listed below or work with a faculty advisor to create a Self-Designed Study Option as described below.

Select one of the following options:

Self-Designed Study Option (21 units)

This advising sequence is intended to provide a broad background in Communication Studies and the opportunity to select electives that meet individual needs and interests. The Self-Designed Study Option may not be selected until completion of COMS 100A with a grade of "C-" or better, and must represent a pattern of courses substantially different from established department advising sequences and concentrations. This sequence requires the completion of all General Communication core courses, plus 21 upper division units in Communication Studies. You may select the Self-Designed Study Option following completion of COMS 100A, even if you have already commenced a different Department advising sequence or concentration. As many as 9 units of upper division department electives completed before selecting the Self-Designed Option may be used towards completion of the sequence, but you must commence at least 12 units of upper division Department electives following adoption of an approved plan.

The Self-Designed Option requires that a plan for the major be filed with the Department office. The plan must be developed in consultation with your advisor, and must be signed by your advisor, you, and the Department Chairperson or designee. The plan lists all courses to be taken beyond the department core, and 3-9 units of alternative choices. As many as 6 units of the plan may be designated as "general elective"--courses to be chosen spontaneously as you see fit at a later time. The plan also includes a 100-200 word rationale stating tentative objectives and indicating the overall logic of the course pattern selected. Any subsequent alteration of the major plan must be approved by your advisor and the Department Chair or designee.

REQUIREMENTS - BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE - CONCENTRATION IN ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION

Units required: 39
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

This concentration is designed to:

• prepare students to observe, analyze, and participate in the communication practices of organizations;
• train students in universally applicable communication skills for current and future careers in business, government, and public service;
• prepare students to improve the awareness, understanding, and practice of communication both within organizations and between organizations and their publics, and prepare students to compose, develop, and analyze messages.

D. Electives (12 units)

(12) Upper division Communications Studies courses selected in consultation with major advisor.

REQUIREMENTS - BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE - CONCENTRATION IN PUBLIC RELATIONS

Units required: 48
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

This concentration, developed from the Commission on Public Relations Education recommendations, is designed to:

• prepare students to assume professional entry level roles in the practice of public relations;
• help students understand the integration of public relations and marketing;
• prepare students to compose, develop and analyze print and broadcast messages;
• help students to develop demonstrable competencies in writing, analyzing, problem-solving and critical thinking;
• provide opportunities for testing public relations theory and practice, not only in the classroom, but in the field as well; and
• develop relationships with local public relations professionals as well as with community organizations.

Notes:

• Students in the Public Relations Concentration would be encouraged to minor in the social sciences or business.
• Not more than 3 units of Internship (COMS 195) can be applied to the Public Relations Concentration.

REQUIREMENTS - BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE - CONCENTRATION IN MASS COMMUNICATION

Units required: 39
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

This concentration is designed to:

• prepare students for media communication leadership roles with knowledge of the major theories and systems of media communication;
• help students develop an awareness of the social responsibilities of the media;
• provide an understanding of the legal and regulatory environment of media communication industries;
• help students develop competence in media communication research; and
• provide a framework for critical analysis of media systems and media content.

REQUIREMENTS - BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE - CONCENTRATION IN DIGITAL MEDIA

Units required: 39-45
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

Additional Requirements for Options

Two approved options currently comprise the Digital Media Concentration. Students choosing this concentration must complete the requirements for Digital Video or Multimedia.

Digital Video Option (36 units)

This option is designed to:

• Assist students in improving their aesthetic talents;
• Assist students in acquiring technical knowledge and skills in film/video;
• Provide an understanding of communication processes that will help students link technical skills and aesthetic talents to communication objectives;
• Help students develop a framework for critical analysis of film/video content.

New Media Option (30 units)

This option is designed to:

• Provide students with a broad overview of new media and their effects on the communication process;
• Provide students with the basic skills needed to write and produce new media/multimedia content;
• Introduce students to the unique aesthetic and technical requirements of computer-mediated communication.

Total units required for Minor: 18 Communication Studies units, 12 of which must be upper division. Minor programs must be approved by a Department advisor. A specific course requirement is:

(3) COMS 100A Survey of Communication Studies with a grade of "C-" or better.

Note: No more than a total of 3 units of COMS 110, COMS 111, COMS 195, or COMS 199 can be applied to the Minor.

DIGITAL MEDIA MINOR

Total units required for Minor: 21
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

Note: The Digital Media minor is not available to Digital Media majors.

GRADUATE PROGRAM

A Master's degree can lead to doctoral or other professional education, or to advanced positions in business, public service or government. The graduate program in Communication Studies is guided by two interrelated goals. First, that each student has the opportunity to study and conduct original communication research consistent with individual interests and abilities. Second, that each student develop and follow a coherent, rigorous plan of study within the field of communication. Accordingly, a structured advising procedure has been established in the Department to help accomplish these two goals (see "The Graduate Document," available from the Department, for details). As an integral part of a plan of study, each student will major in one of four primary areas of study:

• Mediated Communication
• Organizational and Instructional Communication
• Public and Political Communication
• Social Interaction

Each student will have at least one additional area of study chosen from the areas above or from a related field(s) within or outside the Department. Specific unit requirements depend on the Culminating Requirement selected (thesis, project, comprehensive examination).

As mentioned above, this program, culminating in the Master of Arts in Communication Studies, is designed for the student who subsequently will pursue a doctoral degree or a professional career. The program is NOT designed for students who wish to train in production or presentational skills which are taught at the undergraduate level in the Sacramento State Communication Studies Department.

Admission as a classified graduate student in Communication Studies is based on the assessment of individual credentials by the Graduate Committee, but requires at least:

• a 3.0 overall GPA or 3.25 GPA in the last 60 undergraduate units;
• a grade "B-" or better in COMS 167, COMS 168 or COMS 169; and COMS 170, COMS 171, or COMS 172 (or equivalent courses);
• a clearly written statement of purpose for pursuing this particular MA degree. This statement is part of the application to the graduate program and should explain the applicant's career and academic goals, specifying how the program will help to accomplish these goals, and explain the applicant's motivation for pursuing those goals;
• three letters of recommendation indicating the applicant's abilities and potential for completing graduate work successfully. These letters should assess at least the student's abilities to perform well in academic courses; to conduct research independently; to express ideas well in writing and orally; and to think critically, analytically and creatively;
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) verbal, quantitative and analytical scores;
• an earned baccalaureate degree, and
• two examples of writing that indicate research, analytical and/or creative abilities.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply several months prior to the semester first enrollment is sought. All application materials must be received before any evaluation begins. The Department's admission deadlines are April 1 for fall semesters, November 1 for spring semesters. All prospective graduate students, including Sacramento State graduates, must file the following with the Office of Graduate Studies, River Front Center 206, (916) 278-6470:

• an online application for admission; and
• two sets of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, other than Sacramento State.

A decision regarding admission will be mailed to the applicant.

Advancement to Candidacy

Near the completion of course work each student must submit an Advancement to Candidacy form, with his or her major advisor and graduate coordinator's approval, to the Office of Graduate Studies. This procedure may begin upon satisfactory completion of the following:

• all deficiencies in admission requirements removed;
• all undergraduate course deficiencies, as noted as conditions on application response;
• COMS 200, COMS 201 and COMS 202 with a grade "B-" or better;
• at least 50 percent of course work toward the degree; and
• the Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE) or secured approval for a WPE waiver.

REQUIREMENTS - MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE

Units required: 30, with a grade "B-" or better in each course
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

At least 18 units must be 200-level courses and no more than 6 units of courses numbered 150-198 (excluding 195) may count toward the minimum 30-unit requirement. By University policy, courses completed to satisfy deficiencies or admission requirements are not counted toward the MA degree. An outline of degree requirements follows.

A. Required Courses (9 units)
(3)	COMS 200	Introduction to Graduate Study (COMS 167, COMS 168 or COMS 169; COMS 170, COMS 171, or COMS 172; may be taken concurrently)
(3)	COMS 201	Communication Theory (COMS 167, COMS 168 or COMS 169; COMS 170, COMS 171 or COMS 172)
(3)	COMS 202	Research Methods in Communication Studies (COMS 167, COMS 168 or COMS 169; COMS 170, COMS 171, or COMS 172; may be taken concurrently)
B. Primary Area Requirements (9 units)
(9)	Select one of the following primary areas of study and choose 9 units of graduate level Communication Studies courses, with Advisory Committee and Graduate Committee approval, from the selected area of study:
	1. Mediated Communication
	COMS 205	Seminar in Telecommunication Innovation