Communication
Major: Communication
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
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 BS in Communication with a concentration in public relations or technical and science communication. Those who want to keep their options open may concentrate in communication.
The Department also offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication.
All communication majors take a common core of courses that emphasize communication theory and methods. Students in the BS program take a lab science sequence and a math analysis sequence, which includes some calculus. Students in the public relations concentration take courses and pursue careers in public relations, event planning, media relations, social media, and corporate communication. Those who choose the technical and science communication concentration go on to work in technical writing, science writing, publishing, and software and hardware documentation. 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 (BS)
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 |
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 |
Humanities and fine arts | 12.0 | |
Social sciences | 9.0 | |
International studies | 6.0 | |
Studies in diversity | 6.0 | |
Select one of the following Science Sequences: | 8.0 | |
Biology Sequence | ||
Cells, Genetics & Physiology | ||
Cells, Genetics and Physiology Laboratory | ||
Biological Diversity, Ecology & Evolution | ||
Biological Diversity, Ecology and Evolution Laboratory | ||
Chemistry Sequence | ||
General Chemistry I | ||
General Chemistry II | ||
Physics Sequence | ||
General Physics I | ||
General Physics II | ||
Select one of the following Mathematics Sequences: | 8.0 | |
Analysis Sequence | ||
Introduction to Analysis I | ||
Introduction to Analysis II | ||
Calculus Sequence | ||
Calculus I | ||
Calculus II | ||
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 | 28.0 | |
Free electives | 28.0 | |
Total Credits | 180.0 |
* | Students taking this program online are not required to take CIVC 101, UNIV H101, or UNIV H201. Instead, online students are required to take AS-I 101 Strategies for Online Learning for 3.0 credits. |
Sample Plan of Study: Communication Concentration (BS)
Term 1 | Credits | |
---|---|---|
COM 101 | Human Communication | 3.0 |
COM 150 | Mass Media and Society | 3.0 |
ENGL 101 or 111 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research English Composition I | 3.0 |
PSY 101 | General Psychology I | 3.0 |
UNIV H101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
Math sequence course 1* | 4.0 | |
Term Credits | 17.0 | |
Term 2 | ||
CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
ENGL 102 or 112 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing English Composition II | 3.0 |
COM 181 or 160 | Public Relations Principles and Theory Introduction to Journalism | 3.0 |
Math sequence course 2* | 4.0 | |
Social science elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 14.0 | |
Term 3 | ||
COM 160 or 181 | Introduction to Journalism Public Relations Principles and Theory | 3.0 |
COM 230 | Techniques of Speaking | 3.0 |
ENGL 103 or 113 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres English Composition III | 3.0 |
Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
Free elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 15.0 | |
Term 4 | ||
COM 210 | Theory and Models of Communication | 3.0 |
COM 222 | Interpersonal Communication | 3.0 |
Science sequence course 1* | 4.0 | |
Free elective | 4.0 | |
Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 17.0 | |
Term 5 | ||
COM 220 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3.0 |
COM 247 | Social Media in Communication | 3.0 |
LING 101 or 102 | Introduction to Linguistics Language and Society | 3.0 |
Science sequence course 2* | 4.0 | |
COM elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 16.0 | |
Term 6 | ||
COM 221 | Quantitative Research Methods in Communication | 3.0 |
COM 261 or 282 [WI] | Advanced Journalism Public Relations Writing | 3.0 |
COM 310 [WI] | Technical Communication | 3.0 |
COM elective | 3.0 | |
Free elective | 3.0 | |
International or diversity elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 18.0 | |
Term 7 | ||
PHIL 305 | Ethics and the Media | 3.0 |
COM electives | 6.0 | |
Free elective | 3.0 | |
International or diversity elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 15.0 | |
Term 8 | ||
COM 240 | New Technologies In Communication | 3.0 |
UNIV H201 | Looking Forward: Academics and Careers | 1.0 |
COM electives | 6.0 | |
Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
Free elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 16.0 | |
Term 9 | ||
COM elective (above 300 level) | 3.0 | |
Free elective | 3.0 | |
Social science elective | 3.0 | |
International or diversity elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 12.0 | |
Term 10 | ||
COM 400 | Seminar in Communication | 3.0 |
Communication elective (above 300 level) | 3.0 | |
International or diversity elective | 3.0 | |
Free elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 12.0 | |
Term 11 | ||
COM 491 | Senior Project in Communication I | 3.0 |
COM elective | 3.0 | |
Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
Social science elective | 3.0 | |
Free elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 15.0 | |
Term 12 | ||
COM 492 | Senior Project in Communication II | 3.0 |
COM electives | 7.0 | |
Free elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 13.0 | |
Total Credit: 180.0 |
* | See degree requirements. |
Degree Requirements: Public Relations Concentration (BS)
General Requirements | ||
CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement * | 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 |
Humanities and fine arts | 12.0 | |
Social sciences | 9.0 | |
International studies | 6.0 | |
Studies in diversity | 6.0 | |
Select one of the following Science Sequences: | 8.0 | |
Biology Sequence | ||
Cells, Genetics & Physiology | ||
Cells, Genetics and Physiology Laboratory | ||
Biological Diversity, Ecology & Evolution | ||
Biological Diversity, Ecology and Evolution Laboratory | ||
Chemistry Sequence | ||
General Chemistry I | ||
General Chemistry II | ||
Physics Sequence | ||
General Physics I | ||
General Physics II | ||
Select one of the following Mathematics Sequences | 8.0 | |
Analysis Sequence | ||
Introduction to Analysis I | ||
Introduction to Analysis II | ||
Calculus Sequence | ||
Calculus I | ||
Calculus II | ||
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 |
Visual Communication Courses ** | ||
COM 335 | Digital Publishing | 3.0 |
or COM 340 | Desktop Publishing | |
Additional Electives | ||
COM electives | 9.0 | |
Free electives | 43.0 | |
Total Credits | 180.0 |
* | Students taking this program online are not required to take UNIV H101, UNIV H201 or CIVC 101. Instead, online students are required to take "Strategies for Online Learning" for 3 credits. |
** | Or other courses as appropriate in COM or the College of Media Arts and Design. |
Degree Requirements: Public Relations Concentration (BS)
Term 1 | Credits | |
---|---|---|
COM 101 | Human Communication | 3.0 |
COM 150 | Mass Media and Society | 3.0 |
ENGL 101 or 111 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research English Composition I | 3.0 |
PSY 101 | General Psychology I | 3.0 |
UNIV H101* | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
Math sequence course 1* | 4.0 | |
Term Credits | 17.0 | |
Term 2 | ||
COM 181 | Public Relations Principles and Theory | 3.0 |
CIVC 101* | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
ENGL 102 or 112 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing English Composition II | 3.0 |
Math sequence course 2* | 4.0 | |
Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 14.0 | |
Term 3 | ||
COM 160 | Introduction to Journalism | 3.0 |
COM 230 | Techniques of Speaking | 3.0 |
COM 282 [WI] | Public Relations Writing | 3.0 |
ENGL 103 or 113 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres English Composition III | 3.0 |
International or diversity elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 15.0 | |
Term 4 | ||
COM 210 | Theory and Models of Communication | 3.0 |
COM 222 | Interpersonal Communication | 3.0 |
Science sequence course 1* | 4.0 | |
Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
Social science elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 16.0 | |
Term 5 | ||
COM 220 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3.0 |
COM 247 | Social Media in Communication | 3.0 |
LING 101 or 102 | Introduction to Linguistics Language and Society | 3.0 |
Science sequence course 2* | 4.0 | |
Social science elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 16.0 | |
Term 6 | ||
COM 284 | Public Relations Research, Measurement and Evaluation | 3.0 |
International or diversity elective | 3.0 | |
Free electives | 9.0 | |
Term Credits | 15.0 | |
Term 7 | ||
MKTG 201 | Introduction to Marketing Management | 4.0 |
PHIL 305 | Ethics and the Media | 3.0 |
International or diversity elective | 3.0 | |
Free electives | 6.0 | |
Term Credits | 16.0 | |
Term 8 | ||
COM 240 | New Technologies In Communication | 3.0 |
COM 286 | Public Relations Strategies and Tactics | 3.0 |
UNIV H201* | Looking Forward: Academics and Careers | 1.0 |
Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
Free electives | 6.0 | |
Term Credits | 16.0 | |
Term 9 | ||
COM 335 or 340* | Digital Publishing Desktop Publishing | 3.0 |
Free electives | 6.0 | |
Social science elective | 3.0 | |
COM elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 15.0 | |
Term 10 | ||
COM 386 | Public Relations Campaign Planning | 3.0 |
COM 400 | Seminar in Communication | 3.0 |
Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
Free electives | 6.0 | |
Term Credits | 15.0 | |
Term 11 | ||
COM 491 | Senior Project in Communication I | 3.0 |
COM elective | 3.0 | |
Free electives | 6.0 | |
Term Credits | 12.0 | |
Term 12 | ||
COM 492 | Senior Project in Communication II | 3.0 |
International or diversity elective | 3.0 | |
COM elective | 3.0 | |
Free elective | 4.0 | |
Term Credits | 13.0 | |
Total Credit: 180.0 |
* | See degree requirements. |
Degree Requirements: Technical and Science Communication Concentration (BS)
General Requirements | ||
CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement * | 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 |
Social sciences | 9.0 | |
Humanities and fine arts | 9.0 | |
International studies | 6.0 | |
Studies in diversity | 6.0 | |
One of the following Science sequences: | 8.0 | |
Biology Sequence | ||
Cells, Genetics & Physiology | ||
Cells, Genetics and Physiology Laboratory | ||
Biological Diversity, Ecology & Evolution | ||
Biological Diversity, Ecology and Evolution Laboratory | ||
Chemistry Sequence | ||
General Chemistry I | ||
General Chemistry II | ||
Physics Sequence | ||
General Physics I | ||
General Physics II | ||
One of the following Math sequences: | 8.0 | |
Analysis Sequence | ||
Introduction to Analysis I | ||
Introduction to Analysis II | ||
Calculus Sequence | ||
Calculus I | ||
Calculus II | ||
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 |
Technical and Science Concentration Requirements | ||
COM 160 | Introduction to Journalism | 3.0 |
COM 181 | Public Relations Principles and Theory | 3.0 |
COM 310 [WI] | Technical Communication | 3.0 |
COM 320 [WI] | Science Writing | 3.0 |
COM 335 | Digital Publishing | 3.0 |
COM 350 [WI] | Document Design and Evaluation | 3.0 |
COM 420 | Technical, Science and Health Editing | 3.0 |
Technology, Science & Communication Breadth | ||
Select three of the following: | 9.0 | |
Campaigns for Health & Environment | ||
Environmental Communication | ||
Film, Celebrity and the Environmental Movement | ||
Professional Presentations | ||
Desktop Publishing | ||
Intercultural Communication | ||
Computer Mediated Communication | ||
Ethnography of Communication | ||
Free Speech & Censorship | ||
Media Effects | ||
Multidisciplinary Breadth | ||
Select three of the following: | 9.0 | |
Digital Culture | ||
Literature & Science | ||
Environmental Literature | ||
Technology in Historical Perspective | ||
Introduction to Computing and Security Technology | ||
Introduction to Informatics | ||
Foundations of Software | ||
Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction | ||
Philosophy of Science | ||
Cognitive Psychology | ||
Human Factors and Cognitive Engineering | ||
Human-Computer Interaction | ||
Additional Electives | ||
COM electives | 15.0 | |
Free electives | 23.0 | |
Total Credits | 180.0 |
* | Students taking this program online are not required to take UNIV H101,UNIV H201 or CIVC 101. Instead, online students are required to take "Strategies for Online Learning" for 3 credits. |
Degree Requirements: Technical and Science Communication Concentration (BS)
Technical and Science Communication (BS)
Term 1 | Credits | |
---|---|---|
COM 101 | Human Communication | 3.0 |
COM 150 | Mass Media and Society | 3.0 |
ENGL 101 or 111 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research English Composition I | 3.0 |
PSY 101 | General Psychology I | 3.0 |
UNIV H101* | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
Math sequence course 1* | 4.0 | |
Term Credits | 17.0 | |
Term 2 | ||
COM 160 | Introduction to Journalism | 3.0 |
CIVC 101* | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
ENGL 102 or 112 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing English Composition II | 3.0 |
Math sequence course 2* | 4.0 | |
Social science elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 14.0 | |
Term 3 | ||
COM 181 | Public Relations Principles and Theory | 3.0 |
COM 230 | Techniques of Speaking | 3.0 |
ENGL 103 or 113 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres English Composition III | 3.0 |
Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
Social science elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 15.0 | |
Term 4 | ||
COM 210 | Theory and Models of Communication | 3.0 |
COM 222 | Interpersonal Communication | 3.0 |
Science sequence course 1* | 4.0 | |
Multidisciplinary elective | 3.0 | |
Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 16.0 | |
Term 5 | ||
COM 220 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3.0 |
COM 247 | Social Media in Communication | 3.0 |
LING 101 or 102 | Introduction to Linguistics Language and Society | 3.0 |
Science sequence course 2* | 4.0 | |
Technology, science and communication elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 16.0 | |
Term 6 | ||
COM 221 | Quantitative Research Methods in Communication | 3.0 |
COM 310 [WI] | Technical Communication | 3.0 |
Free elective | 4.0 | |
Multidisiplinary elective | 3.0 | |
International or diversity elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 16.0 | |
Term 7 | ||
COM 335 | Digital Publishing | 3.0 |
PHIL 305 | Ethics and the Media | 3.0 |
COM elective | 3.0 | |
International or diversity elective | 3.0 | |
Technology, science, and communication elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 15.0 | |
Term 8 | ||
COM 240 | New Technologies In Communication | 3.0 |
UNIV H201* | Looking Forward: Academics and Careers | 1.0 |
Technology, science, and communication elective | 3.0 | |
Free elective | 3.0 | |
Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
COM elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 16.0 | |
Term 9 | ||
COM 320 [WI] | Science Writing | 3.0 |
COM 350 [WI] | Document Design and Evaluation | 3.0 |
COM elective | 3.0 | |
Free electives | 6.0 | |
Term Credits | 15.0 | |
Term 10 | ||
COM 400 | Seminar in Communication | 3.0 |
COM 420 | Technical, Science and Health Editing | 3.0 |
International or diversity elective | 3.0 | |
Free electives | 6.0 | |
Term Credits | 15.0 | |
Term 11 | ||
COM 491 | Senior Project in Communication I | 3.0 |
COM elective | 3.0 | |
Multidisciplinary elective | 3.0 | |
Social science elective | 3.0 | |
Term Credits | 12.0 | |
Term 12 | ||
COM 492 | Senior Project in Communication II | 3.0 |
International or diversity elective | 3.0 | |
COM elective | 3.0 | |
Free elective | 4.0 | |
Term Credits | 13.0 | |
Total Credit: 180.0 |
* | See degree requirements. |