Students majoring in communication are required to earn 33 credits at SCILS, including the prerequisite survey requirement of 04:189:101 Introduction to Communication and Information Processes (3 credits) required before admission to the major. Requirements for the remaining credits include:
Interdisciplinary Requirement (3 credits):
Either
04:189:102 Introduction to Media Systems and Processes (3)
or
04:189:103 Information Technology and Informatics (3)
Core Requirements (12 credits):
04:192:200 Communication Theory (3)
04:192:201 Interpersonal Communication Processes (3)
04:192:300 Communication Research (3)
At least one of
04:192:354 Mediated Communication Theory (3)
or 04:192:355 Interpersonal Communication Theory (3)
or 04:192:357 Organizational Communication Theory (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.
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 website or undergraduate handbook to determine prerequisites for 300- and 400-level courses.
As of the publication of this catalog, 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 semester and is available in the school's office. Complete, up-to-date information is also available on the SCILS website. Students are urged to consult the handbook or the website 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 may further use their study plan to guide their selection of elective coursework outside SCILS. Students should seek advising through their four-year school regarding appropriate minors, double majors, and school 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. Note that each four-year school 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 website (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 on the communication department website (http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/programs/comm).
