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Communication Studies - Bachelor of Arts 2023-24 Degree Map

Requirements (REQ) of a Bachelors Degree

Degree Maps show one way how you can earn a degree in four years. Talk with your advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for you, especially if you have any earned transferrable academic credit.

To graduate in four years, you need an average of 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits. You may need to take electives (courses that are not used to meet specific requirements) to reach those totals. Most courses at PSU are 4 credits each. If you transfer credit to PSU, the number of credits you need per year will vary accordingly. 

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This guide outlines the requirements in the 2023-24 catalog. Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements you need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit you to follow a different catalog. Typically, your catalog year is the year you began at PSU, but if you are a transfer student you may be able to use an earlier catalog. Talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you.

PSU Bulletins (2015-present) about this content

Communication majors are encouraged to use Cluster and elective classes toward earning a minor.

Students must earn a letter grade of C- or higher in Communication major classes to count toward major requirements.

First Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Freshman Inquiry or Honors5Freshman Inquiry or Honors5Freshman Inquiry or Honors5
BA Second Language 1013-5BA Second Language 1023-5BA Second Language 1033-5
BA Science/Social Science3-4COMM Lower Division Elective4COMM Lower Division Elective4
Total Fall Credits11-14Total Winter Credits12-14Total Spring Credits12-14

Second Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter Courses Winter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4
BA Second Language 2013-5BA Second Language 2023-5BA Second Language 2033-5
COMM Lower Division Elective4COMM Lower Division Elective4COMM 3004
BA Fine & Performing Arts3-4BA Science/Math Elective3-4BA Science/Social Science3-4
Total Fall Credits14-17Total Winter Credits14-17Total Spring Credits14-17

Second Year Milestones: Complete COMM 300 (by end of Spring term).

Third Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4
COMM 3114COMM 316 or 3264COMM Upper Division Elective4
COMM Upper Division Elective4COMM Upper Division Elective4General Elective4
Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4General Elective4General Elective4
Total Fall Credits15-16Total Winter Credits16Total Spring Credits16

Third Year Milestones: Complete COMM 311, and COMM 316 or COMM 326 (by end of Spring term). 

Fourth Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
COMM 4XX Elective4COMM 4XX Elective4Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis6
COMM 4XX Elective4Upper Division General Elective4COMM 4XX Elective4
General Elective4General Elective2General Elective4
General Elective4General Elective4General Elective1
Total Fall Credits16Total Winter Credits14Total Spring Credits15

 

Additional Map Notes:

  • COMM Lower Division Elective: COMM 111Z recommended for one of these electives.
  • Sophomore Inquiry or Honors: For University Studies, two Sophomore Inquiry courses are required, but for Honors, three Sophomore courses are required. Meet with assigned advisor regarding Sophomore Inquiry and Race & Ethnic Studies requirements.
  • Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement: Two courses required, each minimum 3 credits: one course must focus on the U.S. experience; the second course must center the experiences of groups under European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism beyond the United States. One must be within the School of Gender, Race and Nations or be cross-listed with one of the SGRN units: Black Studies (BSt), Chicano/Latino Studies (ChLa), Indigenous Nations Studies (NAS), or Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WS). If you choose a RESR course that can be applied towards another requirement, take an elective here instead.
  • COMM 311; COMM 316 or COMM 326: Courses do not need to be taken in sequence. COMM 300 is a prerequisite for all three courses. 
  • COMM 4XX Elective: 12 credits must be numbered 410 or higher. No more than 4 credits can be numbered 401-409. 
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.

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