Communication
Major: Communication
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Total Credit Hours: 180.0
Co-op Options: Three Co-op (Five years); One Co-op (Four years); No Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 09.0401; 09.0900; 09.0908; 09.9999; 09.0199
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 11-2011; 11-2031; 27-3022; 27-3041; 27-3042; 27-3043
About the Program
The Department of Communication is committed to helping students become broadly educated and professionally competent communicators. Students are exposed to a variety of media and are guided in the development of their interpretive and expressive skills.
Students may complete the BA in Communication with a concentration in public relations or journalism. Those who want to keep their options open may concentrate in communication.
The Department also offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Communication.
All communication majors take a common core of courses that emphasize communication theory and methods. Students in the BA program also study a modern language. Students in the public relations concentration take courses and pursue careers in public relations, event planning, media relations, social media, and corporate communication. Journalism students take courses and pursue careers as reporters, copywriters, editors, and media specialists. Students in the communication concentration have the flexibility of crafting their path through the major and thus have career possibilities in any of the areas listed here. Many communication graduates also go on to law school, business school, or graduate school.
Additional Information
If you would like to learn more about the Department of Communication, please visit the Department of Communication website.
Degree Requirements: Communication Concentration (BA)
Students who select the communication concentration take courses in all of the existing concentrations, as well as other communication courses to prepare them for any communication-related career, or professional post-graduate options.
General Requirements | ||
CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development * | 1.0 |
ENGL 101 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research | 3.0 |
or ENGL 111 | English Composition I | |
ENGL 102 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing | 3.0 |
or ENGL 112 | English Composition II | |
ENGL 103 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres | 3.0 |
or ENGL 113 | English Composition III | |
PSY 101 | General Psychology I | 3.0 |
UNIV H101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
UNIV H201 | Looking Forward: Academics and Careers | 1.0 |
Two mathematics courses | 6.0-8.0 | |
Two science courses | 6.0-8.0 | |
Foreign language courses ** | 8.0-12.0 | |
Humanities and fine arts | 12.0 | |
Social sciences | 9.0 | |
International studies | 6.0 | |
Studies in diversity | 6.0 | |
Communication Core Requirements | ||
Theory Sequence | ||
COM 101 | Human Communication | 3.0 |
COM 150 | Mass Media and Society | 3.0 |
COM 210 | Theory and Models of Communication | 3.0 |
COM 400 | Seminar in Communication | 3.0 |
LING 101 | Introduction to Linguistics | 3.0 |
or LING 102 | Language and Society | |
Methods Sequence | ||
COM 220 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3.0 |
COM 221 | Quantitative Research Methods in Communication | 3.0 |
Additional Core Requirements | ||
COM 222 | Interpersonal Communication | 3.0 |
COM 230 | Techniques of Speaking | 3.0 |
COM 240 | New Technologies In Communication | 3.0 |
COM 247 | Social Media in Communication | 3.0 |
COM 491 | Senior Project in Communication I | 3.0 |
COM 492 | Senior Project in Communication II | 3.0 |
PHIL 305 | Ethics and the Media | 3.0 |
Additional Breadth in COM | ||
COM 160 | Introduction to Journalism | 3.0 |
COM 181 | Public Relations Principles and Theory | 3.0 |
COM 261 | Advanced Journalism | 3.0 |
or COM 282 | Public Relations Writing | |
COM 310 [WI] | Technical Communication | 3.0 |
Two additional COM classes at 300 level or higher | 6.0 | |
Additional Electives | ||
COM electives | 24.0 | |
Free electives | 27.0 | |
Total Credits | 180.0-188.0 |
* | Students not participating in co-op will not take COOP 101; 1 credit of Free Elective will be added in place of COOP 101. |
** | Students must complete at least 8 credits of a foreign language at Drexel and, at minimum, must complete the 103 level of the target language (or beyond if they place higher). |
Writing-Intensive Course Requirements
In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.
A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.
Sample Plan of Study: Communication Concentration (BA)
4 year, no co-op
First Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 101 | 3.0 | CIVC 101 | 1.0 | COM 160 or 181 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
COM 150 | 3.0 | COM 181 or 160 | 3.0 | COM 230 | 3.0 | ||
ENGL 101 or 111 | 3.0 | ENGL 102 or 112 | 3.0 | ENGL 103 or 113 | 3.0 | ||
PSY 101 | 3.0 | Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||
UNIV H101 | 1.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||
Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | ||||||
17 | 14-15 | 15-16 | 0 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 210 | 3.0 | COM 220 | 3.0 | COM 221 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
COM 222 | 3.0 | COM 247 | 3.0 | COM 261 or 282 | 3.0 | ||
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | LING 101 or 102 | 3.0 | COM 310 | 3.0 | ||
Science Course | 3.0-4.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | ||
Social Science Elective | 3.0 | Science Course | 3.0-4.0 | International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | ||
15-16 | 15-16 | 15 | 0 | ||||
Third Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
PHIL 305 | 3.0 | COM 240 | 3.0 | COM Elective (above 300 level) | 3.0 | VACATION | |
COM Electives | 6.0 | UNIV H201 | 1.0 | Free Electives | 6.0 | ||
Free Elective | 3.0 | COM Electives | 6.0 | International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | ||
International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | Social Science Elective | 3.0 | ||
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
15 | 16 | 15 | 0 | ||||
Fourth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
COM 400 | 3.0 | COM 491 | 3.0 | COM 492 | 3.0 | ||
Communication Elective (above 300 level) | 3.0 | Communication Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | ||
Free Electives** | 7.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | Free Electives | 6.0 | ||
International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||||
Social Science Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
16 | 15 | 12 | |||||
Total Credits 180-184 |
* | |
** | Students not participating in co-op will not take COOP 101; 1 credit of Free Elective will be added in place of COOP 101. |
4 year, one co-op
First Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 101 | 3.0 | CIVC 101 | 1.0 | COM 160 or 181 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
COM 150 | 3.0 | COM 181 or 160 | 3.0 | COM 230 | 3.0 | ||
ENGL 101 or 111 | 3.0 | COOP 101** | 1.0 | ENGL 103 or 113 | 3.0 | ||
PSY 101 | 3.0 | ENGL 102 or 112 | 3.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||
UNIV H101 | 1.0 | Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||
Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||||
17 | 15-16 | 15-16 | 0 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 210 | 3.0 | COM 220 | 3.0 | COM 221 | 3.0 | PHIL 305 | 3.0 |
COM 222 | 3.0 | COM 247 | 3.0 | COM 261 or 282 | 3.0 | COM Electives | 6.0 |
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | LING 101 or 102 | 3.0 | COM 310 | 3.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 |
Science Course | 3.0-4.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 |
Social Science Elective | 3.0 | Science Course | 3.0-4.0 | International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | ||
15-16 | 15-16 | 15 | 15 | ||||
Third Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 240 | 3.0 | COM Elective (above 300 level) | 3.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
UNIV H201 | 1.0 | Free Electives | 6.0 | ||||
COM Electives | 6.0 | International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | ||||
Free Elective | 3.0 | Social Science Elective | 3.0 | ||||
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
16 | 15 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Fourth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
COM 400 | 3.0 | COM 491 | 3.0 | COM 492 | 3.0 | ||
Communication Elective (above 300 level) | 3.0 | Communication Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | ||
Free electives | 6.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | Free Electives | 6.0 | ||
International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||||
Social Science Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
15 | 15 | 12 | |||||
Total Credits 180-184 |
* | |
** | Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101. |
5 year, 3 co-op
First Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 101 | 3.0 | CIVC 101 | 1.0 | COM 160 or 181 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
COM 150 | 3.0 | COM 181 or 160 | 3.0 | COM 230 | 3.0 | ||
ENGL 101 or 111 | 3.0 | COOP 101** | 1.0 | ENGL 103 or 113 | 3.0 | ||
PSY 101 | 3.0 | ENGL 102 or 112 | 3.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||
UNIV H101 | 1.0 | Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||
Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||||
17 | 15-16 | 15-16 | 0 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 210 | 3.0 | COM 220 | 3.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
COM 222 | 3.0 | COM 247 | 3.0 | ||||
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | LING 101 or 102 | 3.0 | ||||
Science Course | 3.0-4.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | ||||
Social Science Elective | 3.0 | Science Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||||
15-16 | 15-16 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Third Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 221 | 3.0 | PHIL 305 | 3.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
COM 261 or 282 | 3.0 | COM Electives | 6.0 | ||||
COM 310 | 3.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | ||||
COM Elective | 3.0 | International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | ||||
International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
15 | 15 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Fourth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 240 | 3.0 | COM Elective (above 300 level) | 3.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
UNIV H201 | 1.0 | Free Electives | 6.0 | ||||
COM Electives | 6.0 | International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | ||||
Free Elective | 3.0 | Social Science Elective | 3.0 | ||||
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
16 | 15 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Fifth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
COM 400 | 3.0 | COM 491 | 3.0 | COM 492 | 3.0 | ||
Communication Elective (above 300 level) | 3.0 | Communication Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | ||
Free Electives | 6.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | Free Electives | 6.0 | ||
International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||||
Social Science Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
15 | 15 | 12 | |||||
Total Credits 180-184 |
* | |
** | Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101. |
Degree Requirements: Journalism Concentration (BA)
Journalism provides students with the skills and theoretical perspective they need to be a journalist in today’s swiftly changing media environment. An extension of the program's core curriculum, the concentration hones the student's ability to write, edit, and produce audiovisual content while at the same time exposing the student to new and evolving aspects of the field.
General Requirements | ||
CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development * | 1.0 |
ENGL 101 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research | 3.0 |
or ENGL 111 | English Composition I | |
ENGL 102 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing | 3.0 |
or ENGL 112 | English Composition II | |
ENGL 103 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres | 3.0 |
or ENGL 113 | English Composition III | |
PSY 101 | General Psychology I | 3.0 |
UNIV H101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
UNIV H201 | Looking Forward: Academics and Careers | 1.0 |
Two mathematics courses | 6.0-8.0 | |
Two science courses | 6.0-8.0 | |
Foreign language courses ** | 8.0 | |
Humanities and fine arts | 12.0 | |
Social sciences | 9.0 | |
International studies | 6.0 | |
Studies in diversity | 6.0 | |
Communication Core Requirements | ||
Theory Sequence | ||
COM 101 | Human Communication | 3.0 |
COM 150 | Mass Media and Society | 3.0 |
COM 210 | Theory and Models of Communication | 3.0 |
COM 400 | Seminar in Communication | 3.0 |
LING 101 | Introduction to Linguistics | 3.0 |
or LING 102 | Language and Society | |
Methods Sequence | ||
COM 220 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3.0 |
COM 221 | Quantitative Research Methods in Communication | 3.0 |
Additional Core Requirements | ||
COM 222 | Interpersonal Communication | 3.0 |
COM 230 | Techniques of Speaking | 3.0 |
COM 240 | New Technologies In Communication | 3.0 |
COM 247 | Social Media in Communication | 3.0 |
COM 491 | Senior Project in Communication I | 3.0 |
COM 492 | Senior Project in Communication II | 3.0 |
PHIL 305 | Ethics and the Media | 3.0 |
Journalism Concentration Requirements | ||
COM 160 | Introduction to Journalism | 3.0 |
COM 181 | Public Relations Principles and Theory | 3.0 |
COM 261 | Advanced Journalism | 3.0 |
COM 266 | Copy Editing for the Media | 3.0 |
COM 315 | Investigative Journalism | 3.0 |
COM 365 | Journalists, the Courts, and the Law | 3.0 |
TVPR 220 | TV News Writing | 3.0 |
Additional Electives | ||
Communication electives | 18.0 | |
Free Electives | 30.0 | |
Total Credits | 180.0-184.0 |
* | Students not participating in co-op will not take COOP 101; 1 credit of Free Elective will be added in place of COOP 101. |
** | Students must complete at least 8 credits of a foreign language at Drexel and, at minimum, must complete the 103 level of the target language (or beyond if they place higher). |
Writing-Intensive Course Requirements
In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.
A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.
Sample Plan of Study: Journalism Concentration (BA)
4 year, no co-op
First Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 101 | 3.0 | CIVC 101 | 1.0 | COM 181 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
COM 150 | 3.0 | COM 160 | 3.0 | COM 261 | 3.0 | ||
ENGL 101 or 111 | 3.0 | ENGL 102 or 112 | 3.0 | ENGL 103 or 113 | 3.0 | ||
PSY 101 | 3.0 | Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||
UNIV H101 | 1.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||
Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | ||||||
17 | 14-15 | 15-16 | 0 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 210 | 3.0 | COM 220 | 3.0 | COM 221 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
COM 222 | 3.0 | COM 247 | 3.0 | TVPR 220 | 3.0 | ||
COM 230 | 3.0 | COM 365 | 3.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | ||
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | LING 101 or 102 | 3.0 | International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | ||
Science Course | 3.0-4.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | ||||
Social Science Elective | 3.0 | Science Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||||
18-19 | 18-19 | 12 | 0 | ||||
Third Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 266 | 3.0 | COM 240 | 3.0 | COM 315 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
PHIL 305 | 3.0 | UNIV H201 | 1.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | ||
COM Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | Free Electives | 6.0 | ||
Free Elective | 3.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | Social Science Elective | 3.0 | ||
International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||||
15 | 13 | 15 | 0 | ||||
Fourth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
COM 400 | 3.0 | COM 491 | 3.0 | COM 492 | 3.0 | ||
COM Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | ||
Free Electives | 6.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | Free Elective** | 4.0 | ||
International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | ||
Social Science Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
15 | 15 | 13 | |||||
Total Credits 180-184 |
* | |
** | Students not participating in co-op will not take COOP 101; 1 credit of Free Elective will be added in place of COOP 101. |
4 year, one co-op
First Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 101 | 3.0 | CIVC 101 | 1.0 | COM 181 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
COM 150 | 3.0 | COOP 101** | 1.0 | COM 261 | 3.0 | ||
ENGL 101 or 111 | 3.0 | COM 160 | 3.0 | ENGL 103 or 113 | 3.0 | ||
PSY 101 | 3.0 | ENGL 102 or 112 | 3.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||
UNIV H101 | 1.0 | Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||
Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||||
17 | 15-16 | 15-16 | 0 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 210 | 3.0 | COM 220 | 3.0 | COM 221 | 3.0 | COM 266 | 3.0 |
COM 222 | 3.0 | COM 247 | 3.0 | TVPR 220 | 3.0 | PHIL 305 | 3.0 |
COM 230 | 3.0 | COM 365 | 3.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 |
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | LING 101 or 102 | 3.0 | International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 |
Science Course | 3.0-4.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | ||
Social Science Elective | 3.0 | Science Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||||
18-19 | 18-19 | 12 | 15 | ||||
Third Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 240 | 3.0 | COM 315 | 3.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
UNIV H201 | 1.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | ||||
COM Elective | 3.0 | Free Electives | 6.0 | ||||
Free Elective | 3.0 | Social Science Elective | 3.0 | ||||
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
13 | 15 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Fourth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
COM 400 | 3.0 | COM 491 | 3.0 | COM 492 | 3.0 | ||
COM Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | ||
Free Electives | 6.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | ||
International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | ||
Social Science Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
15 | 15 | 12 | |||||
Total Credits 180-184 |
* | |
** | Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101. |
5 year, 3 co-op
First Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 101 | 3.0 | CIVC 101 | 1.0 | COM 181 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
COM 150 | 3.0 | COM 160 | 3.0 | COM 261 | 3.0 | ||
ENGL 101 or 111 | 3.0 | COOP 101** | 1.0 | ENGL 103 or 113 | 3.0 | ||
PSY 101 | 3.0 | ENGL 102 or 112 | 3.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||
UNIV H101 | 1.0 | Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||
Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||||
17 | 15-16 | 15-16 | 0 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 210 | 3.0 | COM 220 | 3.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
COM 222 | 3.0 | COM 247 | 3.0 | ||||
COM 230 | 3.0 | COM 365 | 3.0 | ||||
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | LING 101 or 102 | 3.0 | ||||
Science Course | 3.0-4.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | ||||
Social Science Elective | 3.0 | Science Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||||
18-19 | 18-19 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Third Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 221 | 3.0 | COM 266 | 3.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
TVPR 220 | 3.0 | PHIL 305 | 3.0 | ||||
Free Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | ||||
International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | ||||
International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
12 | 15 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Fourth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 240 | 3.0 | COM 315 | 3.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
UNIV H201 | 1.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | ||||
COM Elective | 3.0 | Free Electives | 6.0 | ||||
Free Elective | 3.0 | Social Science Elective | 3.0 | ||||
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
13 | 15 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Fifth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
COM 400 | 3.0 | COM 491 | 3.0 | COM 492 | 3.0 | ||
COM Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | ||
Free Electives | 6.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | ||
International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | ||
Social Science Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
15 | 15 | 12 | |||||
Total Credits 180-184 |
* | |
** | Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101. |
Degree Requirements: Public Relations Concentration (BA)
The concentration in public relations covers a broad range of activities that help an organization and its public communicate with one another. The field includes public relations, media relations, event planning, publication design, employee and customer communication, social media, and government relations.
Skills in this field include written, oral, and visual communication. A public relations specialist might be called on to write articles for an in-house newsletter, to research and write an annual report to shareholders, to publicize a special event, to write a speech for an executive, to plan a press conference, to develop a media plan for an organization, or to script a video for an employee orientation session.
General Requirements | ||
CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development * | 1.0 |
ENGL 101 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research | 3.0 |
or ENGL 111 | English Composition I | |
ENGL 102 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing | 3.0 |
or ENGL 112 | English Composition II | |
ENGL 103 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres | 3.0 |
or ENGL 113 | English Composition III | |
PSY 101 | General Psychology I | 3.0 |
UNIV H101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
UNIV H201 | Looking Forward: Academics and Careers | 1.0 |
Two mathematics courses | 6.0-8.0 | |
Two science courses | 6.0-8.0 | |
Foreign language courses ** | 8.0 | |
Humanities and fine arts | 12.0 | |
Social sciences | 9.0 | |
International studies | 6.0 | |
Studies in diversity electives | 6.0 | |
Communication Core Requirements | ||
Theory Sequence | ||
COM 101 | Human Communication | 3.0 |
COM 150 | Mass Media and Society | 3.0 |
COM 210 | Theory and Models of Communication | 3.0 |
COM 400 | Seminar in Communication | 3.0 |
LING 101 | Introduction to Linguistics | 3.0 |
or LING 102 | Language and Society | |
Methods Sequence | ||
COM 220 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3.0 |
COM 284 | Public Relations Research, Measurement and Evaluation | 3.0 |
Additional Core Requirements | ||
COM 222 | Interpersonal Communication | 3.0 |
COM 230 | Techniques of Speaking | 3.0 |
COM 240 | New Technologies In Communication | 3.0 |
COM 247 | Social Media in Communication | 3.0 |
COM 491 | Senior Project in Communication I | 3.0 |
COM 492 | Senior Project in Communication II | 3.0 |
PHIL 305 | Ethics and the Media | 3.0 |
Public Relations Concentration Requirements | ||
COM 160 | Introduction to Journalism | 3.0 |
COM 181 | Public Relations Principles and Theory | 3.0 |
COM 282 [WI] | Public Relations Writing | 3.0 |
COM 286 | Public Relations Strategies and Tactics | 3.0 |
COM 386 | Public Relations Campaign Planning | 3.0 |
MKTG 201 | Introduction to Marketing Management | 4.0 |
Select one of the following Visual Communication courses: *** | 3.0 | |
Digital Publishing | ||
Modern Desktop Publishing | ||
Additional Electives | ||
COM electives | 9.0 | |
Free electives | 38.0 | |
Total Credits | 180.0-184.0 |
* | Students not participating in co-op will not take COOP 101; 1 credit of Free Elective will be added in place of COOP 101. |
** | Students must complete at least 8 credits of a foreign language at Drexel and, at minimum, must complete the 103 level of the target language (or beyond if they place higher). |
*** | Or other courses as appropriate in COM or the College of Media Arts and Design. |
Writing-Intensive Course Requirements
In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.
A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.
Sample Plan of Study: Public Relations Concentration (BA)
4 year, no co-op
First Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 101 | 3.0 | CIVC 101* | 1.0 | COM 160 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
COM 150 | 3.0 | COM 181 | 3.0 | COM 230 | 3.0 | ||
ENGL 101 or 111 | 3.0 | ENGL 102 or 112 | 3.0 | COM 282 | 3.0 | ||
PSY 101 | 3.0 | Foreign Language course* | 4.0 | ENGL 103 or 113 | 3.0 | ||
UNIV H101* | 1.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||
Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | ||||||
17 | 14-15 | 15-16 | 0 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 210 | 3.0 | COM 220 | 3.0 | COM 284 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
COM 222 | 3.0 | COM 247 | 3.0 | International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | ||
Science Elective | 3.0-4.0 | LING 101 or 102 | 3.0 | Free electives | 6.0 | ||
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | Science Course | 3.0-4.0 | Social Science elective | 3.0 | ||
Social Science Elective | 3.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||||
15-16 | 15-16 | 15 | 0 | ||||
Third Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
MKTG 201 | 4.0 | COM 240 | 3.0 | COM 340 or 335* | 3.0 | VACATION | |
PHIL 305 | 3.0 | COM 286 | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | ||
International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | UNIV H201 | 1.0 | International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | ||
Free electives | 6.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | Free Electives | 6.0 | ||
Free Electives** | 6.0 | ||||||
16 | 16 | 15 | 0 | ||||
Fourth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
COM 386 | 3.0 | COM 491 | 3.0 | COM 492 | 3.0 | ||
COM 400 | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | ||
International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | Social Science Elective | 3.0 | Free electives | 6.0 | ||
Free Electives | 6.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||||
Free Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
15 | 15 | 12 | |||||
Total Credits 180-184 |
* | |
** | Students not participating in co-op will not take COOP 101; 1 credit of Free Elective will be added in place of COOP 101. |
4 year, one co-op
First Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 101 | 3.0 | CIVC 101* | 1.0 | COM 160 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
COM 150 | 3.0 | COM 181 | 3.0 | COM 230 | 3.0 | ||
ENGL 101 or 111 | 3.0 | COOP 101** | 1.0 | COM 282 | 3.0 | ||
PSY 101 | 3.0 | ENGL 102 or 112 | 3.0 | ENGL 103 or 113 | 3.0 | ||
UNIV H101* | 1.0 | Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||
Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||||
17 | 15-16 | 15-16 | 0 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 210 | 3.0 | COM 220 | 3.0 | COM 284 | 3.0 | MKTG 201 | 4.0 |
COM 222 | 3.0 | COM 247 | 3.0 | International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | PHIL 305 | 3.0 |
Science Elective | 3.0-4.0 | LING 101 or 102 | 3.0 | Free Electives | 6.0 | International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 |
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | Science Course | 3.0-4.0 | Social Science Elective | 3.0 | Free Electives | 6.0 |
Social Science Elective | 3.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||||
15-16 | 15-16 | 15 | 16 | ||||
Third Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | COM 240 | 3.0 | COM 340 or 335* | 3.0 | ||
COM 286 | 3.0 | Free Electives | 6.0 | ||||
UNIV H201 | 1.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | ||||
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | ||||
Free Electives | 5.0 | ||||||
0 | 0 | 15 | 15 | ||||
Fourth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
COM 386 | 3.0 | COM 491 | 3.0 | COM 492 | 3.0 | ||
COM 400 | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | ||
International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | Social Science Elective | 3.0 | Free Electives | 6.0 | ||
Free Electives | 6.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||||
Free Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
15 | 15 | 12 | |||||
Total Credits 180-184 |
* | |
** | Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101. |
5 year, 3 co-op
First Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 101 | 3.0 | CIVC 101* | 1.0 | COM 160 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
COM 150 | 3.0 | COM 181 | 3.0 | COM 230 | 3.0 | ||
ENGL 101 or 111 | 3.0 | COOP 101** | 1.0 | COM 282 | 3.0 | ||
PSY 101 | 3.0 | ENGL 102 or 112 | 3.0 | ENGL 103 or 113 | 3.0 | ||
UNIV H101* | 1.0 | Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||
Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||||
17 | 15-16 | 15-16 | 0 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 210 | 3.0 | COM 220 | 3.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
COM 222 | 3.0 | COM 247 | 3.0 | ||||
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | LING 101 or 102 | 3.0 | ||||
Science Elective | 3.0-4.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||||
Social Science Elective | 3.0 | Science Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||||
15-16 | 15-16 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Third Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 284 | 3.0 | MKTG 201 | 4.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
Free Electives | 6.0 | PHIL 305 | 3.0 | ||||
International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | Free Electives | 5.0 | ||||
Social Science Elective | 3.0 | International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | ||||
15 | 15 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Fourth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 240 | 3.0 | COM 340 or 335* | 3.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
COM 286 | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | ||||
UNIV H201 | 1.0 | Free Electives | 6.0 | ||||
Free Electives | 6.0 | International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | ||||
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
16 | 15 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Fifth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
COM 386 | 3.0 | COM 491 | 3.0 | COM 492 | 3.0 | ||
COM 400 | 3.0 | COM elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | ||
Free Electives | 6.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | Free Electives | 6.0 | ||
International or Diversity Elective | 3.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||||
Social Science Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
15 | 15 | 12 | |||||
Total Credits 180-184 |
* | |
** | Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101. |
Co-op/Career Opportunities
Public Relations Concentration
Students with a concentration in public relations find employment in a wide variety of fields, including public relations, advertising, special events planning, writing and editing, and public information. In addition, the strong communication and management skills stressed by this concentration enable students to find positions in management, human resources, marketing, consulting, and publishing.
Although graduate study is not necessary for those who pursue careers in public relations, students have used the major as a basis for graduate work in a variety of areas, including communication, business, and law.
Co-op Experiences in Public Relations
Cooperative education opportunities are available with a variety of corporations and nonprofits in such positions as corporate communication specialist, public relations assistant, and newsletter writer. The following are samples of co-op experiences:
- Advertising and Promotions Assistant, CoreStates Bicycle Championships, Philadelphia.
- Corporate Communications Co-op, Philadelphia Electric Company, Philadelphia.
- Advertising/ Promotions Co-op, U.S. Marketing Division, Mobil Oil Corp., Fairfax, VA.
- Assistant Coordinator, Communications Bureau, United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Journalism Concentration
Journalism students pursue careers in journalism, broadcast media, and news. Given the rapidly changing nature of these fields, graduates may also find work in new types of publishing platforms, such as social media or mobile, or involving audiovisual content creation. Journalism graduates may also choose to pursue graduate study, whether in journalism or another discipline.
Co-op Experiences in Journalism
Journalism students have held co-ops with a number of media, news, and information companies, including the following:
- Production assistant, WPVI-TV (Channel 6) Philadelphia
- Staff writer, Delaware County Daily Times
- Promotions department, WPLY-FM (Y-100)
- Production assistant, sports department, FOX-29 (WTFX-TV)
Technical and Science Communication Concentration
Students who study technical and science communication are prepared for a variety of career options. Many students become technical writers and editors who produce manuals and reports about high-technology products and services. Students may also go on to write specifications and in-house organs for business, industry, and government. Other students conduct and interpret surveys for business. In addition, this program is excellent preparation for graduate study in a number of fields, such as law and medicine.
Co-op Experiences in Technical and Science Communication
Communication students have worked for corporations and nonprofit organizations. The following are some samples of past co-op experiences:
- Technical writer, Unisys Corp. and Hewlett Packard
- Web page writer, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
- Pharmaceutical writer, GlaxoSmithKline
- Medical writer, Medcases Corp.
Communication Concentration
Students in the communication concentration develop a focus that fits their interests in the field of communication and will thus be ready for a variety of career options that require strong writing and research skills, as well as graduate or professional school.
Co-op Experiences in Communication
Students in this concentration can choose from the variety of co-op opportunities open to any student in communication.
Visit the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center page for more detailed information on co-op and post-graduate opportunities.