Students majoring in communication are required to earn 33 credits
in the department. This includes the two core courses required for
admission to the major (04:189:101, and either 102 or 103). Students
majoring in communication are required to complete 27 credits of course
work within the department, as follows:
1. Foundation courses (9 credits)
04:192:200 Communication Theory (3)
04:192:201 Interpersonal Communication Processes (3)
04:192:300 Communication Research (3)
2. Intermediate-level courses (3 credits)
Students must complete at least one of the following intermediate-level
courses and are strongly encouraged to take additional
intermediate-level courses as electives.
04:192:354 Mediated Communication Theory (3)
04:192:355 Interpersonal Communication Theory (3)
04:192:357 Organizational Communication Theory (3)
3. Upper-level courses (6 credits)
At least two 400-level courses are required of all majors. Courses
04:192:491,492 Independent Study in Communication and 04: 192:495
Applied Study in Communication may not be used to fulfill this or the
total credit requirement in the major.
4. Elective courses (9 credits)
Student electives may include all 300- and 400-level courses, with the
exception of 04:192:491,492 Independent Study in Communication and
04:192:495 Applied Study in Communication. Students should check the
communication web site or undergraduate handbook to determine
prerequisites for 300- and 400-level courses.
The Department of Communication does not offer a minor.
Advising and Plan of Study
The Department of Communication offers a variety of advising options
for its students. An undergraduate handbook is updated each term and is
available in the department`s office. Additionally, the department
regularly updates its portion of the SCILS web site. Students are urged
to consult the handbook or the web site for information regarding
admission procedures, program requirements, and course offerings and
prerequisites. Additionally, the department offers a peer advising
program and employs faculty and staff advisers who are available by
appointment. Students also can post advising questions to
commfyi@scils.rutgers.edu. To address more complex questions, students
are encouraged to schedule appointments with the departmental
adviser(s).
Students are encouraged strongly to formulate a
plan of study in consultation with a departmental adviser. This study
plan guides each student in choosing electives and aims to develop a
coherent area of concentration within the major. Established areas of
concentration include social interaction (and interpersonal
communication), organizational communication (and public relations),
and mediated communication (and telecommunication processes and
policy). Students may tailor their plan of study to focus on specific
contexts or issues, such as conflict resolution, everyday conversation,
family, gender, health, leadership, impact of technology, and learning
and facilitation. Students further may use their study plan to guide
their selection of elective course work outside of SCILS. Students
should seek advising through their liberal arts college regarding
appropriate minors, double majors, and college requirements in concert
with the communication major.
Internship
The
department encourages students to pursue internship experiences that
complement their studies and potential career choices. Students must be
accepted into the communication major in order to enroll in the
internship. Students may apply up to 3 internship course credits toward
their upper-division course electives in the major. Additional
internship credits may be earned, but do not apply to the communication
major. Each college in the university sets its own limits regarding the
number of experiential credits a student may apply toward graduation.
Further information about the internship is available at the SCILS web
site (http://www.scils.rutgers.edu).
Leadership Certificate Program
The Department of Communication offers a Certificate in Leadership.
Undergraduates have the opportunity to study leadership while engaging
in practical experiences in and out of the classroom. As part of their
field experience, leadership certificate students represent Rutgers in
corporate, political, artistic, nonprofit, educational, health care, or
other settings of their choosing. Successful completion of the
leadership certificate program will be noted on students' transcripts
and on a departmental certificate. Students can apply to the leadership
certificate program at any time. Students must be communication majors
with a minimum communication grade-point average of 3.0. Applications
to and more information about the leadership certificate program are
available by contacting Stacey Connaughton, Program Coordinator, at
732/932-7500, ext. 8116, or staceyc@scils.rutgers.edu, or through the
communication department web site (http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/communication-major/program-information.html).
