James Madison University B.S. in Communication Studies

BSc in

B.S. in Communication Studies James Madison University

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Curriculum
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Introduction

There's more to JMU Communication Studies than meets the eye.

We are a community engaged in teaching, researching, and practicing communication as central to cultivating ethical, productive, and meaningful lives and relationships.

The JMU School of Communication Studies, one of the largest departments on campus with close to 800 majors and minors, features six unique thematic concentrations and a generalist option for students who want to take a wider range of classes. We also offer many engaged learning opportunities, ranging from service learning to undergraduate research, internships, and several exciting study abroad options.

Communication studies provide students with modern academic programs for the purpose of understanding human communication. Courses examine multiple, cross-disciplinary approaches for studying messages and outcomes resulting from human interactive processes that involve the content and relationship dimensions of sources, receivers, channels, and contexts. Emphasis is on person-to-person transactions involving face-to-face and social media venues at the interpersonal, small group, organizational, and public levels. Instruction employs ways of knowing and research methodologies of social science, historical/critical analysis, and art. Our graduates have successful careers in business, education, government, conflict analysis and intervention, health, public relations, entertainment, personnel management, politics, sales, conference and event planning, hospitality industries, and more.

A major in communication studies also provides valuable pre-professional preparation for graduate and professional studies in the fields of communication, counseling, law, management, ministry, and military. Through traditional classroom delivery and distance learning platforms, students acquire communication skill competencies in experiential classroom activities, research projects, studies abroad, and internships. Communication Studies graduates leave JMU prepared to participate effectively as citizens in the communication age.

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Admissions

Curriculum

The School of Communication Studies offers the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees with a major in communication studies. Students must take at least 39 hours of work in communication studies beyond the General Education requirement.

All programs must include at least five elements:

Twelve hours of required courses.
Successful completion of the milestone, Core Assessment in Communication Studies, upon completion of the core requirements
Fifteen hours of courses within distribution areas to meet the school depth requirement.
Nine hours of free elective courses in communication studies at the 300 or 400 level and three hours at the 200, 300 or 400 level.
Twelve hours of coursework at the 300 level or above outside of the major program of study; or a second major or minor.

Required Courses

General Education 41 Credit Hours 1
Quantitative requirement 3 Credit Hours 2
Scientific Literacy requirement 3-4 Credit Hours 2
University electives 21-46 Credit Hours 3
Major requirements (listed below) 39 Credit Hours

Footnotes:
1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
2 In addition to course work taken to fulfill General Education requirement.
3 A minimum of 12 credit hours of university electives must be at the 300 level or above, or students must earn a second major or minor.

Additional Information

In addition, students pursuing the B.S. degree must complete MATH 220. Elementary Statistics [C3QR] or a school-approved statistics course. School-approved statistics courses include, but are not limited to, COB 191. Business Analytics I. MATH 220 can count as either a General Education or a B.S. quantitative requirement, but not both.

Major Requirements

Core Requirements

SCOM 240. Introduction to Communication Theory Credits: 2.00
SCOM 241. Communication Theory Lab Credits: 1.00
SCOM 242. Presentational Speaking Credits: 3.00
SCOM 280. Introduction to Communication Research Credits: 3.00 1
SCOM 341. Persuasion Credits: 3.00
Completion of Core Assessment in Communication Studies Milestone 0 Credit Hours
Additional communication studies elective at the 200, 300 or 400 level 3 Credit Hours
Additional communication studies electives at the 300-400 levels 9 Credit Hours

Footnote:
1 This course fulfills the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major.

Depth Requirement: (15 hours required from the depth areas below)

Communication Skills (choose one): 3 Credit Hours

SCOM 325. Small Group Communication Credits: 3.00
SCOM 261. Public Relations Techniques I: Written Credits: 3.00

SCOM 301. Feminist Blogging: Writing for Shout Out! JMU Credits: 3.00
or
WGSS 301. Feminist Blogging: Writing for Shout Out! JMU Credits: 3.00

SCOM 332. Mediation Credits: 3.00
SCOM 333. Negotiations Credits: 3.00
SCOM 335. Communication Consulting Credits: 3.00
SCOM 340. Principles and Processes of Interviewing Credits: 3.00
SCOM 342. Argument and Advocacy Credits: 3.00
SCOM 344. Oral Interpretation Credits: 3.00
SCOM 358. Business and Professional Communication Studies Credits: 3.00
SCOM 361. Public Relations Techniques II: Visual Credits: 3.00
SCOM 367. Advanced Public Relations Writing Credits: 3.00
SCOM 447. Facilitating Public and Organizational Engagement Processes Credits: 3.00
SCOM 449. Communication Training Credits: 3.00

Communication Research (choose one): 3 Credit Hours

SCOM 381. Rhetorical Research Methods Credits: 3.00
SCOM 383. Quantitative Experimental Research Methods Credits: 3.00
SCOM 385. Qualitative Research Methods Credits: 3.00
SCOM 386. Survey Research Methods Credits: 3.00
SCOM 388. Campaign Research Methods Credits: 3.00

Communication Theory and Context (choose three): 9 Credit Hours

At least one theory and context course requirement must be at the 400-level.

SCOM 248. Intercultural Communication Credits: 3.00
SCOM 260. Introduction to Public Relations Credits: 3.00

SCOM 302. Third Wave Ecofeminism Credits: 3.00
or
WGSS 302. Third Wave Ecofeminism Credits: 3.00

SCOM 305. Language and Culture Credits: 3.00
or
ANTH 305. Language and Culture Credits: 3.00

SCOM 313. Topics in Communication Studies Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
SCOM 314. Communication in Romantic Relationships Credits: 3.00
SCOM 320. Introduction to Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3.00
SCOM 330. Special Topics in Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3.00
SCOM 331. Communication and Conflict Credits: 3.00
SCOM 334. Alternative Dispute Resolution Credits: 3.00
SCOM 345. Nonverbal Communication Credits: 3.00
SCOM 346. Free Speech in America Credits: 3.00
SCOM 347. Communication, Diversity and Popular Culture Credits: 3.00

SCOM 348. Communication and Gender Credits: 3.00
or
WGSS 348. Communication and Gender Credits: 3.00

SCOM 349. Ethnographic Approaches to Communication Studies Credits: 3.00
SCOM 350. Organizational Communication Credits: 3.00

SCOM 351. Visual Rhetoric Credits: 3.00
or
WRTC 351. Visual Rhetoric Credits: 3.00

SCOM 352. Communication and Social Movements Credits: 3.00
SCOM 353. American Political Culture and Communication Credits: 3.00

SCOM 354. Environmental Communication and Advocacy Credits: 3.00
or
WRTC 326. Environmental Communication and Advocacy Credits: 3.00

SCOM 355. Food as Communication Credits: 3.00
SCOM 357. Youth, Communication, and Culture Credits: 3.00
SCOM 363. International Public Relations Credits: 3.00
SCOM 365. Sports Public Relations Credits: 3.00
SCOM 369. Topics in Engaged Public Relations Credits: 3.00
SCOM 370. Introduction to Health Communication Credits: 3.00
SCOM 395. Study Abroad Seminar Credits: 3.00 - 6.00
SCOM 413. Advanced Topics in Communication Studies Credits: 1.00 - 6.00

SCOM 420. Feminist Rhetorics Credits: 3.00
or
WGSS 420. Feminist Rhetorics Credits: 3.00
or
WRTC 420. Feminist Rhetorics Credits: 3.00

SCOM 425. Leadership Communication Credits: 3.00
SCOM 431. Legal Communication Credits: 3.00
SCOM 432. Senior Seminar in Conflict Analysis and Intervention Credits: 3.00
SCOM 440. Family Communication Credits: 3.00

SCOM 441. Oral History Credits: 3.00
or
HIST 441. Oral History Credits: 3.00

SCOM 442. Advanced Topics in Advocacy Studies Credits: 3.00
SCOM 448. Communication, Culture and Identity Credits: 3.00
SCOM 450. Advanced Studies in Organizational Communication Credits: 3.00
SCOM 453. Political Campaign Communication Credits: 3.00
SCOM 460. Public Relations Management Credits: 3.00
SCOM 461. Public Relations Campaigns Credits: 3.00
SCOM 464. Communication, Culture and Sports Credits: 3.00
SCOM 470. Health Communication Campaigns Credits: 3.00
SCOM 471. Culture and Health Communication Credits: 3.00

SCOM 472. Media and Politics Credits: 3.00
or
SMAD 472. Media and Politics Credits: 3.00
or
POSC 472. Media and Politics Credits: 3.00

Career Opportunities

A successful career and a meaningful life is what it’s all about. Whether it’s an internship, a great first job or a top graduate school appointment, JMU Dukes make their dreams ignite. You will, too.

Here are current openings available to JMU students.

Jobs for JMU Students

Public Relations

Rural Broadband Technical Assistance Specialist at State of Vermont
Communications Program Manager- Internal Communications at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
EMS Cadet - Communications (April 2023 Academy) at City of Austin Emergency Medical Services Department
Associate Director of Communications at Emily Krzyzewski Center
Communications Specialist at Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU)
Internal Communications Manager - #08110 at Didlake
Communications & Outreach Coordinator - Temporary at State of Vermont
Senior Manager - Employee and Patient Communications at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Social Media Specialist at American Society for Radiation Oncology
Environmental Communications Support at Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU)
Associate at Keybridge Communications
Dispatcher I at County of York
Communications Dispatcher (entry-level) at East Bay Regional Park District
(Immediate, Flexible hours/Remote locations) Paid Part-Time Medical/Wellness Content Communicator Intern - School Year 2022-23 at CaringDr Corporation
Digital Account Executive at The Social Simulator
Communications Dispatcher (entry-level) at East Bay Regional Park District
Social Media Specialist at Johns Hopkins University
Guest Relations Lead at Casey's
2253 - Assistant Digital Producer at National Endowment for Democracy (NED)

Advocacy

Early Careers: Associate Account Executive/Associate Broker - West Coast at Aon
Early Careers: Associate Account Executive/Associate Broker - South Region at Aon
(#R25244) Mental Health Professional / Therapist / Salisbury Behavioral Health at RHA Health Services, LLC
Faculty Psychologist at Children's National Hospital
(#R25212) Mental Health Professional / Therapist / Salisbury Behavioral Health at RHA Health Services, LLC
(#R24492) Blended Case Manager / PAHrtners Deaf Services at RHA Health Services, LLC
Clinician Positions at Yale University
Placement Counselor at Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services
Project Coordinator at International Association of Chiefs of Police - Internship Program
Child and Adolescent Case Manager - Part C (3376) at Danville Pittsylvania Community Services
Neuroscience Specialty Representative (Flint, MI) at Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Workforce Development Program Director (@ Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce) at Jobs That Help
Mental Health Specialist at Allendale Association
Contract Researcher at BallotReady
Crisis Response Social Worker: Mobile Response Team at Seneca Family of Agencies
Case Manager - Working with Families! at Seneca Family of Agencies
Commercial Lines Account Manager Career Development Program at USI Insurance Services
Neuroscience Specialty Representative (Atlanta, GA) at Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.
IT Associate, Help Desk at The Education Trust

Media Relations

Full Stack developer at Finalcover LLC
Mental Health Intensive Inhome QMHP at Pathways
Assistant Director of Media Relations at Advancement (Virginia Tech)
Commercial Lines Account Manager at Bravera
Marketing Content Coordinator at Hunter Hotel Advisors
Junior Community Manager at Edelman
Associate Director of Communications at Emily Krzyzewski Center
Loan Doc Prep Specialist - Bismarck or Dickinson, ND at Bravera
Scientist- Cell Line Development and Engineering at AstraZeneca
Corporate Relations Management Trainee 2023 at BNSF Railway
Project Coordinator at International Association of Chiefs of Police - Internship Program
Assistant Professor of English, tenure track at Montana State University-Northern
DevOps Engineer - Entry Level at Brightspot
Global Marketing Manager at ECRI
Social Media Coordinator at Academic Travel Abroad
Advisor Program Manager at Sutherland
Wildlife Investigator at Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Staff Scientist - Cell Culture at City of Hope
Social Marketing Management Trainee at Lenovo

Social Media

Mental Health Intensive Inhome QMHP at Pathways
Assistant Account Executive, Sustainability at Edelman
Assistant Director of Media Relations at Advancement (Virginia Tech)
Commercial Lines Account Manager at Bravera
Marketing Content Coordinator at Hunter Hotel Advisors
Business Development Representative at 4 Brothers Commercial
Social Media Associate at BKO
Digital Marketing Associate at BKO
Junior Community Manager at Edelman
Associate Director of Communications at Emily Krzyzewski Center
Loan Doc Prep Specialist - Bismarck or Dickinson, ND at Bravera
Scientist- Cell Line Development and Engineering at AstraZeneca
Corporate Relations Management Trainee 2023 at BNSF Railway
Motion Designer (3D Animation) at Planit Advertising, Inc.
Assistant Professor of English, tenure track at Montana State University-Northern
Retirement Plan Administrator - Dickinson, ND at Bravera
Sales Trainee at Medix
Global Marketing Manager at ECRI
Digital Content Manager at WFXR

Internships for JMU Students