Catalog Navigator : Communication

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 bachelor's/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/prospective-students/undergraduate-admissions.html. 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 (SC&I), 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

04:192:357 Organizational Communication (3) or

04:192:359 Persuasive communication

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.

Specializations:
Four specializations are offered:

Health and wellness communication
Leadership in organizations and community
Relationship and family communication
Strategic public communications and public relations

The specializations are designed to provide essential knowledge of communication methods and techniques and help students build the necessary skills to start a career. The specializations require the same credits as the communications major in general, but are focused in one of the areas above. Specializations can be combined with additional coursework to better create a narrative around a student's skills and knowledge. Combining specializations can expand career opportunities further; for example, a combination of health and wellness communication with strategic public communication and public relations could lead to a career in health care marketing.

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 (M.C.I.S.) 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.