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Degree Requirements

Majoring in Communication (Bachelor of Arts degree)

Undergraduate Bulletin for the Department of Communication

The COMM academic worksheets can be found on the UNC Academic Advising website.

 

New Curriculum degree requirements

In the new curriculum, all Majors are required to take COMM 100: Intro to Communication (3 credits). This is the only core requirement for the degree.

The new curriculum offers students five pathways they can pursue: 

  1. Communication and Everyday Life
  2. Media Arts, Performance, and Critical Practice
  3. Media Technologies and Public Culture
  4. Organization, Communication, and Work
  5. Rhetoric, Activism, and Advocacy

Within each pathway, students must complete 3 lower-level courses (050-399), including a minimum of two “starter” courses for that pathway. Starter classes introduce students to their chosen pathway. They must also complete 3 upper-level courses (400-699). They also select 3 elective courses at any level, which can be in their chosen pathway or outside of it.

10 courses and 30 credits total.

  • COMM 100 (3 credits)
  • 3 100-300 lower-level courses (including a minimum of two “starter” courses) (9 credits)
  • 3 400-600 upper-level courses (9 credits)
  • 3 elective courses (9 credits)

Among the ten courses needed for the Major, students must take at least one Modes of Inquiry class. These classes focus on teaching students research methods and technology tools. There are over 40 Modes of Inquiry courses to choose from at all levels and cut across all pathways.

Among the ten courses needed for the Major, students must take at least one Representation, Identity, and Difference class. These classes focus on the intersections of diversity, equity, and communication. There are over 40 Representation, Identity, and Difference courses to choose from at all levels and cut across all pathways.

Among the ten courses needed for the Major, students must take at least one High Impact class. These classes focus on preparing students to apply the critical tools they’ve amassed. There are over a dozen High Im pact courses to choose from including internships, service learning classes, honors theses, and capstone classes.

A maximum of 15 COMM courses (45 hours) may be applied toward the B.A. degree.

Students are invited to work closely with faculty in courses and through independent study, co-curricular programs, and research projects.

All students declaring a COMM Major starting in Fall 2024, will follow the new curriculum. All current COMM Majors have the option of either switching to the new curriculum or completing the previous degree requirements. The earlier curriculum will be phased out within three year.

Previous COMM curriculum degree requirements

Departmental Requirements

  • Three courses from the following list, with a grade of C or better in each: COMM 120, 140, 160, or 170
  • Four COMM courses in a concentration
  • Three COMM electives
  • A minimum of 10 COMM courses total (30 hours), except for those students pursuing the New Media Track in the Media and Technology Studies and Production concentration
  • Three COMM courses must be 400 level or higher

Majors in the Department of Communication must take a total of 30 credit hours in the department, including three of the four courses identified as core courses. The core courses are COMM 120, 140, 160, and 170. Students must successfully complete these core requirements with a C or better in each course. The core courses also serve as prerequisites for further work within each concentration.

Each major must have a coherent program of study, defined as at least four courses in an area of study/concentration identified by the department, or at least four courses selected and justified by the student and approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

A maximum of 15 COMM courses (45 hours) may be applied toward the B.A. degree.

Students are invited to work closely with faculty in courses and through independent study, co-curricular programs, and research projects.

 

Pre-Selected Concentrations in Communication

Students should select one of the following concentrations and take a minimum of four courses within that concentration. Core courses do not count as one of the four required courses within the selected concentration. Additional courses that are not listed under any concentration may be used to meet major requirements but not concentration requirements.

  • Interpersonal and Organizational Communication (COMM 120 is a prerequisite for most of the interpersonal and organizational communication courses; consult course descriptions): COMM 226, 312, 411, 422, 423, 521, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 620, 624, 625, 690 (based on topic); COMM/MNGT 223, 325; COMM/WMST 224
  • Media Studies and Production (COMM 140 is a prerequisite for most of the media courses; consult course descriptions): COMM 130, 142, 150, 230, 249, 251, 330, 345, 411, 412, 431, 432, 436, 450, 452, 453, 490 (based on topic), 534, 545, 546, 547, 548, 549, 550, 551, 553, 635, 636, 645, 646, 650, 652, 653, 654, 655, 681, 682, 683, 690 (based on topic). Please note that enrollment in advanced media and technology production classes is limited, and many production classes have prerequisites.
    • New Media: Students wishing to pursue the new media option in the media and technology studies and production concentration should consult the department advisor. In addition to the preliminary core requirements (including COMM 140) above, students must take COMM 150 and COMP 110, as well as two approved COMP or INLS courses from the Department of Computer Science or the School of Information and Library Science. The remaining three classes will be COMM classes above 400 selected from the following list: 431, 490 (when relevant, prior approval required), 636, 638, 646, 650, 654, and 690 (when relevant, prior approval required). Recommended cross-disciplinary classes include COMP 180, 185, 382, and 416; and INLS 151,161, 201, 318, 560, and 572.
  • Performance Studies (COMM 160 is a prerequisite for most of the performance courses; consult course descriptions): COMM 260, 262, 263, 362, 364, 365, 411, 435, 437, 463, 464, 466, 532, 561, 562, 563, 564, 566, 660, 661, 662, 665, 667, 668, 690 (based on topic), 695
  • Rhetorical Studies (COMM 170 is a suggested first course for all rhetorical studies courses; consult course descriptions): COMM 171, 312, 355, 371, 372, 374, 375, 376, 470, 471, 472, 500, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, 576, 577, 675, 690 (based on topic)

Specialized Concentration in Communication

A student may create her or his own concentration by selecting at least four courses that constitute a coherent program of study.  The courses selected in this concentration must be justified by the student and must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies.

 

Minoring in Communication

The only minor currently offered in the department of Communication is the Writing for the Screen and Stage Minor. Strong skills in creative writing and English are required, and there is an application process for interested students.

The Undergraduate Minor in Speech and Hearing Sciences is now offered through the School of Medicine.  For more information, please visit their website:

https://www.med.unc.edu/ahs/sphs/prospective-students/undergraduate-minor/