Words matter. Which we use, how we use them, who we address, each of these seemingly small decisions influence how we understand ourselves and others. The Bachelor of Arts in Communication is innovative in its strong appreciation for how everyday talk connects and applies to the many aspects of our lives and our communities. In this major you learn about and practice skills that help you better express yourself, better lead and work in teams, and more effectively advocate for the changes you want to see in the world around you. Persuasive, ethical messages are part of what makes up our social, political, and cultural realities, and communication majors know how to harness that power for good.
As a communication major you master the top skill employers seek in new hires by learning to craft and deliver powerful messages that stand out in today’s dynamic world. The Bachelor of Arts in Communication offers training in skills needed to present yourself confidently, lead effectively, and drive positive change in your relationships, organizations, and communities. Our graduates join, navigate, and influence a variety of public, private, governmental, nonprofit, and corporate settings, often occupying leadership roles. Whether you see a future in advocacy or sales, leading social or political change, or joining the boardroom of a nonprofit, in this major you learn how to influence public policy, build relations across publics and with media, and speak persuasively and effectively about a wide variety of issues in ethical and effective ways.
Advising Requirement
Advising is mandatory for this program. Consult your department advisor or program coordinator for information.
E-advising Tools
Use the interactive e-advising tools designed to help students graduate within four years. These tools can be accessed through the Student Center in the Portal.
Grading Requirement
All courses taken to fulfill program course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as credit/no credit grading only.
Some courses require a minimum grade to progress in the program. Minimum grade requirements, including those listed on course requisites, are considered graduation requirements.
Course Requirements for the Major: 45 units
Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Courses in this program may complete more than one graduation requirement.
Communication majors must complete a minor or a second major in a department outside of Communication Studies. Students must obtain their major advisor's approval on their selection of a minor and courses for the minor, and both departments' approval for courses for the minor.
Electives Requirement
To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. Consult with an advisor to help select courses that provide breadth to your University experience and possibly help satisfy credential, professional, or graduate school prerequisites or support completion of a minor.
Honors in the Major
Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires six units of honors coursework completed over two semesters.
The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.
Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:
You must take six units of Honors in the Major coursework. All six units are honors courses (marked by a suffix of H), and at least three of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each course with a minimum grade of B.
You must have completed 9 units of upper-division coursework or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the six units of coursework over the two semesters of their senior year.
Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.
Honors in the Major is not part of the Honors Program. Each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.
Students may apply for admission to the Honors in the Major Program in the College of Communication and Education. In addition to other specific requirements, each honors student will conduct and publicly present an original research project. Consult the honors advisor in the College of Communication and Education for specific details.
See Bachelor's Degree Requirements for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
General Education Requirements: 43 units
See General Education and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education requirements and course offerings.
American Institutions Course Requirements: 6 units
The American Institutions graduation requirement, as mandated in Title 5, Section 40404, requires that students satisfactorily complete courses in United States history, the US Constitution, and government and American ideals (including California state and local government). At Chico State, HIST 130 meets the US history requirement (US-1), and POLS 155 meets the US Constitution and government requirement (US-2) and the California state and local government requirement (US-3). POLS 155 also fulfills three units of GE Area 4, Social and Behavioral Sciences. See Bachelor’s Degree Requirements for more information.
Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units
You must complete a minimum of two courses that focus primarily on cultural diversity. At least one course must be in US Diversity (USD) and at least one in Global Cultures (GC). See Diversity Requirements for a full list of courses. Many courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.
Upper-Division Writing Requirement
Writing Across the Curriculum (EM 17-009) requires you to take four Writing (W) courses, two of which are upper-division courses designated for your major. Specifically, you must:
Take one Writing (W) course.
Take one Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) course.
Complete a GE English Composition (1A) course before taking the GW course.
Earn a grade of C- or higher to receive GW credit.
See Writing and Math Requirements for details on additional writing requirements you need to complete for graduation.
CMST 472W Organizational Leadership and Decision Making (W)
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are clear, measurable statements that describe how students demonstrate mastery of the knowledge, skills, and values of the discipline as appropriate to the degree. Graduates of this program are expected to achieve the following PLOs:
Professional identity: Articulating the value of communication scholarship and training. Explain communication, perspectives, theories, principles, and concepts. Articulate the importance of communication expertise in career development and civic engagement. Identify challenges facing a variety of stakeholders and the role of communication in resolving those challenges.
Critical Thinking: Critically interpreting and assessing messages across issues and contexts. Apply communication theories, perspectives, principles, and/or concepts. Critique communication theories, perspectives, principles, and/or concepts. Articulate the ethical dimensions of communication situations. Explain the role of communication in the formation of individual, group, and cultural identities, and how identities influence communication. Demonstrate the ability to research, analyze, and reason from evidence to reach an effective conclusion/outcome.
Written Communication: Crafting effective messages. Formulate questions appropriate for communication scholarship. Construct effective messages for a variety of contexts, situations, and audiences. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of written English, including proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Demonstrate proficiency in formal writing, including correct use of a designated style of source citations, such as APA.
Oral Communication: Communicating in situ. Effectively deliver formal presentations before a variety of audiences. Communicate competently in various settings (e.g., interpersonal, group, organizational, and public). Adopt and communicate a critical stance in relation to issues/topics/information. Engage in active listening that demonstrates sensitivity to the needs of various situations and audiences.
