Dec 02, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog | 2020-2021 
    
Undergraduate Catalog | 2020-2021 Previous Edition

Communication Studies, Health Communication Concentration, B.A.


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The Health Communication concentration is designed for students interested in studying the relationship between communication and the quality of health care received by the patients.  Emphasis is placed on the promotion and maintenance of health, the prevention and treatment of illness, and the improvement of the healthcare system through effective communication.

Admission Requirements


Freshmen and Transfers

  • Minimum GPA:  2.0
  • Pre-Major/Prerequisite Courses:  Students planning to change to or declare Communication Studies as their major must have met the foreign language requirement for the major, and received a minimum grade of C in the following:
  • Other: Students who do not meet requirements for admission because of special circumstances may petition the Department of Communication Studies for acceptance into the program.
  • Declaration of Major:  Students are initially classified as Pre-Communication Studies (PCOM) majors until they meet the above requirements.  Change of Major forms are accepted year-round after the student has attended a Communication Studies orientation/advising session. 
  • Transferable Credit Hours:  24

Pre-Communication Studies


Students who apply for the Communication Studies major are initially classified as Pre-Communication Studies majors until they meet the following requirements: cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above; successful completion of a foreign language course at the 2000-level or higher in a Latin alphabet language or American Sign Language or 1202 in a non-Latin alphabet language; and successful (grade C or above) completion of COMM 1101 , COMM 2100 , and either STAT 1220  or STAT 1222 . Students matriculated at UNC Charlotte and planning to change or declare Pre-Communication Studies as their major must have an overall GPA of at least 2.0.

Degree Requirements


The program leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies requires 120 credit hours.

In addition to the requirements for the Communication Studies major, students must also complete coursework in a specific concentration of study.  Courses that are required within a particular concentration or used as electives within the concentration cannot simultaneously be used to fulfill Major Course requirements.  The concentrations are designed to provide students with the opportunity to pursue more extensive study in the communication context most relevant to their professional and social goals.

General Education Courses (37-41 credit hours)


For details on required courses, refer to the General Education Program 

Foreign Language Requirement (3-4 credit hours)


Students with a Major in Communication Studies must complete either a 2000-level course in a foreign language that uses the Latin alphabet or a 1202-level course in a language that is not written in the Latin alphabet.  Intermediate American Sign Language is also accepted.  Non-native speakers of English may complete the foreign language requirement by passing UWRT 1103 , UWRT 1104 , or the equivalent.

Major Courses (24 credit hours)


The Major Courses are designed to provide a thorough understanding of fundamental communication processes and are structured into four categories:

Concentration Courses (21 credit hours)


Related Courses (9 credit hours)


Students in the Health Communication concentration must complete 9 credit hours of related coursework, excluding any courses applied to Major Course requirements or requirements within that concentration.  All related coursework must be approved by the student’s advisor.  An approved second major or a minor may be used to satisfy this requirement.

Unrestricted Elective Courses


As needed to complete the credit hours required for graduation.

Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours


Honors Program


For details about the Honors Program in Communication Studies, visit the program page .

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