FAQ: COMM MAJORS
What is the lowest grade I can earn in a communication course and still have it count toward my COMM major?
A minimum grade of C-minus or higher must be earned in all communication courses (or courses cross-listed with COMM) to count toward satisfying the COMM major. If a D+, D, or D-minus is earned in an elective COMM course, those credits can count as non-major general elective credits toward the minimum 124 credits to graduate.
I have decided to concentrate in Interpersonal Communication. What courses should I take?
In their junior year, IP concentrators should take COMM341. This course prepares IP students for 400-level courses. IP COMM majors should concurrently complete their COMM elective courses in their junior year. In their senior year, IP majors are required to take three courses from the following list: COMM417, COMM421, COMM440, COMM442, COMM452, COMM453, COMM456, and COMM485.
I have decided to concentrate in Media Communication. What courses should I take?
- In the fall semester of their junior year, communication majors pursuing a media communication concentration should take COMM370 to prepare for 400-level courses. Students should concurrently complete their COMM elective courses in their junior year.
- In their second semester as a junior, communication majors with a media communication concentration should take COMM 345 and continue to complete their COMM elective courses.
- In their senior year, communication majors with a media communication concentration are required to take two courses from the following list: COMM418, COMM423, COMM424, COMM425, COMM450, COMM452, COMM453, COMM454, and COMM458.
I would like to study a very specific topic, and this topic is relevant to both communication and to one or more additional majors. Is there any way I can accomplish this without taking a double major or pursuing a double degree?
There are two ways to accomplish this:
- The first is through an interdepartmental major that consists of a set of courses, some in communication and the others in one other major within the College of Arts and Sciences which the student agrees to take. This agreement is in the form of a written contract, and once signed, the student can only make revisions to the agreed-upon set of courses with the approval of the departments involved. A student electing an interdepartmental major will, as part of the agreed-upon set, take at least some of the communication courses, and their grades in those courses will determine whether they qualify as a communication major. If the student does not qualify, then the interdepartmental major is not possible and the student is advised to major in the other department involved in the agreement. Students interested in pursuing an interdepartmental major should schedule an appointment with the department chairperson.
- The second way to accomplish this goal is relevant if a student's interest would suggest courses in three or more majors. If this is the case, the student can then begin the process of creating a proposal that would lead to a B.A. in Liberal Studies (B.A.L.S). The process requires the student and a set of three advisors from relevant majors to create a program that includes courses from those three majors and any others deemed relevant. As with the interdepartmental major, this program, if approved, serves as a contractual agreement which cannot be revised without permission from the College of Arts and Sciences. The process of becoming a B.A.L.S. student is rigorous and time-consuming, and proposals are often rejected, so this option is only for the unusual case. Students interested in the B.A.L.S. program should schedule an appointment with the College of Arts and Sciences undergraduate advisement office.
When I am registering for next semester courses, I see multiple sections of a course being offered entitled "Special Topics," and I wonder how many of these I can take?
The communication major has quite a few courses that fit this category (COMM200, COMM305, COMM318, COMM319, COMM343, COMM418, COMM425, COMM440, COMM442). Each of these courses can be taken as many as three times as long as the offered topic varies, with the exception of COMM425 (twice) and COMM305 (once).
How many credits in communication do I need to complete the major?
A minimum of 33 with a grade of C- or better in every course. All COMM majors must complete the communication interest courses, Public Speaking (COMM350), and their concentration; this totals 27 credits. To complete the major, all COMM students must take a minimum of six additional credits. These can come from any other course in the department (including additional courses in the student’s concentration, courses in the other concentration, elective COMM courses, internships, independent studies, and undergraduate research) with two exceptions. First, COMM212 is specifically designed for non-communication majors and therefore NOT open to communication majors; COMM350 performs the same function for majors. Second, there are occasions in which a section of COMM200 is also specifically designed for non-majors, although this is rare. It is important that COMM majors do not enroll in COMM212 or that occasional COMM200, because they will not receive COMM credit for it.
The rules say that the communication major allows a maximum of 45 credits, but I want to take more. Why can’t I?
The communication major confers a bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree on its graduating students, and there is an iron-clad rule that the all University majors have an “official” maximum of 45 credits. The intent behind this is that the B.A. degree by its very nature is conferred to students who have a well-rounded education. Students may choose to take additional credits in any major leading to a B.A, but these additional credits do not count for graduation. For example, if a communication student were to take 16 three-credit communication courses, then the student has a total of 48 communication credits. Three of those credits cannot count for graduation. Therefore, given that the B.A. in the College of Arts and Sciences is 124 credits, this student must take 127 credits to graduate.
I am interested in an internship. How can I obtain one, and how do I receive academic credit for it?
Information is on our Internship Program page.
FAQ: HONORS MAJORS
How do the communication honor's program requirements differ from the standard communication requirements?
The communication honors degree consists of a minimum of 12 credits in communication honor’s courses. The following honors courses are recommended:
- COMM256-080 for freshmen (or taken as a sophomore if entering the major late.)
- COMM301-080 for sophomores
- Either COMM341-080 or COMM370-080 for juniors
- And COMM490-080 for seniors
- Other COMM honors course options may be available and students entering the communication honors degree program should make an appointment to consult with the Department of Communication chairperson.
FAQ: MINORS
Is there a communication minor?
In a word, no; however, students interested in taking a few communication courses can enroll in COMM245 (for non-majors,) COMM256, COMM330, COMM341, COMM345, COMM370, and many other (although not all) 200-level and 300-level Communication courses.
Should I take a second major or minor?
Some students believe that it is necessary for them to have a double major or a minor. This is not true; but it is often a good idea. Sometimes students have career plans that call for a double major or the additional of a minor. Here are some examples:
- Students interested in journalism often take a journalism minor or a double major in communication and English.
- Students interested in interpersonal relations might double major in communication and psychology.
- Students interested in political communication might take a political communication minor or double major in communication and political science.
- Students often have intrinsic interests in other areas and take second majors or minors for that reason. For relevant examples, foreign languages and literature is a popular second major for students interested in other cultures. Music, art (particularly visual communications), and theatre are also popular minors.
- Some students wish to pursue a second major in a department in another college. Students who complete majors in two different colleges will earn a DOUBLE DEGREE, which is different than a double major. Although this is often a good idea, some colleges have requirements that differ somewhat from the requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences. Students may need to take additional courses to satisfy both colleges’ requirements. For example, a double degree in communication (part of the College of Arts & Sciences) and business (part of the College of Business and Economics) could take more than four years to complete. Students should seek advisement in both majors if they decide to complete a double degree.
PUBLIC RELATIONS COURSES — I am interested in studying public relations. How should I go about it?
The department has a set of elective courses relevant to public relations that students can choose to take in addition to their chosen concentration. The public relations elective sequence consists of four courses; COMM309, COMM311, COMM409, and COMM413. COMM309 is open to all students without prerequisites, and COMM309 serves as a prerequisite for COMM311, COMM409 and COMM413. Students interested in a career in public relations should, if feasible, take all four of these courses and during their junior or senior year complete an internship. Finally, students with a serious interest in public relations should join the University of Delaware chapter of PRSSA, the Public Relations Student Society of America, and become active in PRSSA activities.
JOURNALISM — I am interested in studying journalism. How should I go about it?
Interested students should visit Journalism Minor web page. Several cCommunication courses are included in the minor. In particular, the Communication Department offers courses (COMM326, COMM329, COMM427) that are specifically relevant to broadcast journalism.
ADVERTISING — I am interested in studying advertising. How should I go about it?
The Department of Communication offers courses required for the advertising minor; however, student interested in the minor should visit the Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics for more information. Interested students must apply for acceptance into the minor through Lerner College.
POLITICAL COMMUNICATION — I am interested in studying political communication. How should I go about it?
There is a political communication minor overseen by the Center for Political Communication (CPC). Interested students should visit the CPC's website. Admittance into the minor is decided by the CPC. Several communication courses are required for the minor. In particular, the Communication Department offers courses (COMM340, COMM305, COMM306, COMM319, COMM425, COMM444, COMM447) that are specifically relevant to political communication.
INTERACTIVE MEDIA — I am interested in studying interactive media. How should I go about it?
The interactive media minor is interdisciplinary across departments and colleges. Students interested in this minor should visit UD's Interactive Media Minor website. Two communication courses are part of the selection of required courses for the minor.
FAQ: TRANSFER STUDENTS EXTERNAL
How do I receive credit for the communication courses I took at my previous university?
Many communication courses taken at another institution will initially transfer into UD as COMM166T. Courses with that number serve only as free electives, and will not meet any specific departmental requirements other than general communication electives. It is possible, however, that many of these courses actually do meet specific departmental requirements.
For review of communication courses taken at another institution that transferred to UD as COMM166T, please be sure to include the following information:
- name & student ID number
- the name of the higher education institution where the course(s) was taken
- the course number and title of the course being reviewed for possible transfer
- a course description
- a copy of the syllabus (if you do not have one, a copy can often be obtained from the faculty member or department where the course was taken.)
Click the following link to email the information required for review: Communication Transfer Credits. You may cut and paste these documents into the body of the email, or include them as attachments.
Students should also be aware that some courses that count as communication in other colleges or universities will not transfer as communication course equivalents at UD; for example, some journalism courses would count as English credit at the University of Delaware, and some advertising courses as business administration credit. Courses in other departments for which the student receives 166T credit (ex: PHIL166T, BUAD166T, ANTH166T) may also meet requirements for those areas of study, and the student should submit descriptions and a syllabus to those departments as well (NOT to the Department of Communication). This is critical, because some of these courses may count for University or College requirements.
For additional information on transfer credits, visit the UD transfer credit website.
I am entering the major as a transfer student. What courses should I take?
If you are transferring from another university or college, it would be in your best interest to contact the Department of Communication soon after you are admitted to UD to find out whether any past courses will receive transfer credit.
FAQ: TRANSFER STUDENTS INTERNAL
What courses should I take?
If you are transferring from another university or college, it would be in your best interest to contact the Department of Communication soon after you are admitted to UD to find out whether any past courses will receive transfer credit.
How do I have a COMM course taken at another institution AFTER being admitted to UD reviewed for transfer credit?
If you would like to take a COMM course at another U.S. institution while you are an undergraduate student at UD, do not register for it without receiving prior transfer credit approval. Please visit www.udel.edu/registrar/transfer/transins for detailed and step-by-step instructions. If you would like to take a COMM course at an international institution or study abroad while you are an undergraduate student at UD, please visit www.udel.edu/registrar/transfer/transins-intl-sa for detailed and step-by-step instructions.
Keep in mind that we cannot evaluate non-communication courses. Also be aware that some courses that count as communication in other colleges or universities will not transfer as communication course equivalents at UD; for example, courses relevant to journalism would probably count as English at the University of Delaware, and courses relevant to advertising as business administration.
If you have questions regarding this process, please email comm-staff@udel.edu.
