The Department of Communication emphasizes the study of the nature,
diversity, and impact of communication on the evolution of individuals,
groups, and institutions within society. The undergraduate major in
communication provides a broad, theory-based education and allows for
concentration in a specific area, such as public relations, health
communication, interpersonal/intercultural communication, mediated
communication, and organizational communication. Coursework in the
department is also useful for students whose primary interests are in
such fields as political science, computer science, management,
psychology, English, journalism, or sociology. Courses in communication
cover both ideas and applications in preparation for communication
careers in business, education, or government, or for the pursuit of
graduate degrees in communication and other social science fields.
Graduates from the undergraduate program in communication are expected to achieve these learning goals:
- Understanding of fundamental communication perspectives, theories, and concepts.
-
Ability to use communication theories and concepts to analyze human
behavior, including interpersonal, family, group, health,
organizational, and mediated settings.
- Proficiency in gathering
and using evidence to study and understand communication processes and
consequences, including asking questions and systematically attempting
to answer them, as well as understanding the value and limitations of
research processes and conclusions.
- Competency in written,
oral, mediated, (e.g., email, text messaging), and visual communication
for varied purposes (including acknowledgment, apology, clarification,
description, explanation, persuasion, request), in varied styles
(including technical, formal, casual, intimate), and in varied settings
(including academic, business, civic, institutional, relational,
ritual).
- Ability to apply communication theories and concepts to
social, professional, and civic life (including issues of diversity,
ethics, and civic engagement).
Career Opportunities
The undergraduate major program provides a broad, theory-based
education and allows for concentration in a specific area, such as
public relations, health communication, interpersonal/intercultural
communication, or organizational communication. Communication
coursework is also useful for students whose primary interests are in
such fields as political science, psychology, or sociology.
Communication graduates find opportunities in a wide variety of
careers in business, education, government, and the nonprofit sectors.
Skills in verbal and written communication are one of the most
sought-after characteristics all employers look for when hiring. Radio
and TV, advertising and public relations, publishing, sales, and
financial services are but a few of the many areas in which these
graduates find employment. Any work that involves communicating as its
focal point is a potential career field. The communications industry is a
competitive one, however, and experience gives everyone an extra
advantage. The communication program offers internship opportunities
for credit. In addition, an advanced degree can offer an edge, and the
school offers a five-year bachelors/master's program; for more
information, see below.
Admission to the Major
The Department of Communication seeks a highly motivated and
diverse student body. Admission to the communication major is
competitive; meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee
acceptance. Minimum requirements for admission include
-
completion of at
least 15 credits at Rutgers, or 15 transfer credits, with a grade-point
average of 2.0 or better;
-
a grade of C or better in the required
prerequisite course 04:189:101 Introduction to Communication and
Information Processes (or an equivalent transfer course);
-
a grade of C or better in Expository Writing or
an equivalent course or placement; and
-
completion of the application
including a well-written personal statement.
The admissions committee seeks the
following when reviewing student essays: (a) evidence of your interest
in the major, (b) your future plans and their relationship to the major,
(c) your strength as a writer, and (d) any other qualities that make
you a strong candidate for admission to the communication major.
Applications are available on the school's website: http://comminfo.rutgers.edu/ugadm.
Students may be admitted for the fall, spring, and summer semesters;
check the website for application deadlines each year. Students are
strongly encouraged to consult the school's website for up-to-date
information regarding admissions procedures.
Major Requirements
Students
majoring in communication are required to earn 33 credits at the School
of Communication and Information, 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:
SC&I 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 Communication in Relationships (3)
04:192:300 Communication Research (3)
At least one of
04:192:354 Mediated Communication (3) or
04:192:355 Interpersonal Communication (3) or
04:192:356 Group Communication (3) or
04:192:357 Organizational Communication (3)
Upper-Level Courses (15 credits):
Upper-level elective courses may include all 300- and 400-level
courses, and must include at least two 400-level courses except those completed as part of the core requirements. 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. Students should check the communication
website or undergraduate handbook to determine prerequisites for 300-
and 400-level courses, and should speak with an adviser for help in planning coursework for the major.
Students must earn a grade of C or better in 04:192 courses in order for those courses to count toward the major.
Internships and Other Educational Opportunities
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 and about other educational opportunities such as specializations in the major is available
at the communication program website.
Course Transfers
Courses that students have taken at other New Jersey colleges, which
are articulated through the NJ Transfer system and recorded on a
student's transcript with a communication course number, will be counted
toward the major.
Students who wish to have a course they
have taken elsewhere at Rutgers or externally at another university
considered as one of their required or elective courses in the
communication major must submit a request for transfer equivalency in
writing to the SC&I Office of Student Services. To submit such a request, the
letter of petition must include a copy of the full syllabus of the
course, a copy of the student's transcript showing the grade achieved,
note which communication course it is requested to replace, and the
reasons for consideration. The courses are evaluated in terms of their
very close match of content and skills to the communication course, the
level of the course, and the grade achieved, which should typically be
a C or better. Students will be notified in writing of the outcome of
the petition.
Five-Year Bachelor's/Master's Program
Communication
majors in their junior or senior year may apply to the master's program
in communication and information studies for a dual B.A./M.C.I.S. program
that allows completion of both degrees in five years. If accepted,
certain communication courses taken in the senior year will count toward both
the undergraduate degree and the master's. Once the bachelor's degree
is completed, students will be in the master's program and complete
requirements.
Admission
requirements are the same as for all M.C.I.S. applicants. Details
about the application process and degree requirements are on the
school's website.
