Nov 23, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog | 2024-2025 
    
Undergraduate Catalog | 2024-2025

Communications Studies, B.A.


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Students may complete the B.A. in Communication Studies without selecting a concentration or, if desired, complete a concentration in one of five areas of study as part of the B.A. in Communication Studies degree:  

The concentration is optional.  Courses taken for a concentration will not add to the total number of credit hours required for the major, but will count toward the elective hours already required for the major. 

All program-level Admissions and Progression Requirements are in addition to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Admission Requirements .

Admission Requirements


Freshmen and Transfers

Students who apply for the Communication Studies major are initially classified as Pre-Communication Studies majors until they meet the following requirements.

  • See University Admission Requirements  
  • Minimum GPA:  2.0
  • Pre-Major/Prerequisite Courses:  Students planning to change to or declare Communication Studies as their major must have received a minimum grade of C in the following:
  • Students who do not meet requirements for admission because of special circumstances may petition the Department of Communication Studies for acceptance into the program.
  • Transferable Credit Hours:  24

Currently Enrolled Students

  • 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. 
  • 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. ​

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 and successful (grade C or above) completion of COMM 1101 , COMM 2100 , COMM 2104  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 (21 credit hours), students must also complete 18 credit hours Restricted Electives. 

General Education Requirements (31-32 credit hours)


For details on required courses, refer to the General Education Program . Total hours to satisfy General Education Requirements may vary as some general education requirements may be double-counted in the major with departmental approval. Please see your advisor for information.

Foreign Language Requirement (0-8 credit hours)


For details on required courses, refer to the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences Foreign Language Requirement .

Communication Studies Core Courses (21 credit hours)


The Communication Studies Core Courses are designed to provide a thorough understanding of fundamental communication processes and are structured into two categories:

Restricted Electives (18 credit hours)


Students must complete 18 credit hours of Restricted Electives taken at the 2000 level and above.  At least 9 credit hours must be completed in COMM courses, with at least 6 of those hours at the 3000 level and above.   The remaining 9 credit hours may be completed in COMM or JOUR courses.  No more than 9 credit hours of 2000 level courses may be counted towards the Restricted Electives requirement. Minors in Journalism may only count 6 credit hours towards both the Communication Studies major and the Journalism minor.

  • COMM 2xxx-3xxx Communication Studies Elective
  • COMM 3xxx-4xxx Communication Studies Elective
  • COMM 3xxx-4xxx Communication Studies Elective
  • COMM 2xxx-4xxx Communication Studies Elective
    or JOUR 2xxx-4xxx Journalism Elective
  • COMM 2xxx-4xxx Communication Studies Elective
    or JOUR 2xxx-4xxx Journalism Elective
  • COMM 3xxx-4xxx Communication Studies Elective
    or JOUR 3xxx-4xxx Journalism Elective

Unrestricted Elective Courses


As needed to complete the credit hours required for graduation.

Degree Total = 120 credit hours


Progression Requirements


Students must earn a grade of C or better in COMM 1101 , COMM 2100 , COMM 2104  and STAT 1222 , and a 2.0 gpa overall in their major courses. 

Honors Program


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

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