Communication, B.A.

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Students who have successfully completed a B.A. in Communication from Lakeland University should be able to:

Communicate effectively in informative, persuasive, and group public speaking situations.
Create messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context.
Use and discuss key communication & new media concepts and terminology.
Critically analyze discourse.
Write original works in accordance with professional, industry, or graduate school expectations.
Create effective communications in digital and new media contexts.
Develop and implement communication strategies to engage a broader community beyond the classroom setting.
Practice ethical communication principles to communicate in a diverse and globally connected society.

Major Requirements (48-60 semester hours)

Students must complete one of the following tracks:

Cooperative Education Track

A minimum of three (3) semester hours from one or a combination of the following:

COM 120 - Debate Practicum (0-1 semester hour) *^
COM 400 - Internship in Communication (1-3 semester hours)
COM 490 - Independent Research in Communication (1-3 semester hours)
WRT 211 - The Mirror: Photojournalism (0-1 semester hour) *^
WRT 212 - The Mirror: Newswriting (0-1 semester hour) *^
*Students may not enroll in multiple sections of the same course in a term.

^Courses offered at Main Campus location only. Students may enroll in these courses in the course delivery format available and may require in-person attendance.

At least seventeen (17) semester hours from the following:

EXP 100 - Professional Protocol (1 semester hour)
EXP 301 - Work, Ethics, and the Good Life (1 semester hour)
COM 390 - Cooperative Education Experience–Communication (1-12 semester hours) OR
EXP 290 - Cooperative Education Experience I (1-12 semester hours) OR
EXP 392 - Cooperative Education Experience II (1-12 semester hours) OR
EXP 395 - Cooperative Education Experience III (1-12 semester hours)
Students complete EXP 290 , EXP 392 or EXP 395 in that order, for a cumulative amount of no more than twelve (12) semester hours across the three courses.
Each course may be completed only once.
At least six (6) semester hours must be in COM 390 - Cooperative Education Experience–Communication (1-12 semester hours)

Complete a minimum of nine (9) semester hours from the following:

At least one (1) course must be numbered 300 or above. COM 280 and COM 480 can only be taken once each for credit towards requirements.

Public Relations and Media Production Track

A minimum of three (3) semester hours from one or a combination of the following:

COM 120 - Debate Practicum (0-1 semester hour) *^
COM 490 - Independent Research in Communication (1-3 semester hours)
WRT 211 - The Mirror: Photojournalism (0-1 semester hour) *^
WRT 212 - The Mirror: Newswriting (0-1 semester hour) *^
*Students may not enroll in multiple sections of the same course in a term.

^Courses offered at Main Campus location only. Students may enroll in these courses in the course delivery format available and may require in-person attendance.

At least eleven (11) semester hours from the following:

Complete a minimum of nine (9) hours from:

COM 390 - Cooperative Education Experience–Communication (1-12 semester hours) OR
EXP 290 - Cooperative Education Experience I (1-12 semester hours) OR
EXP 392 - Cooperative Education Experience II (1-12 semester hours) OR
EXP 395 - Cooperative Education Experience III (1-12 semester hours)
Students complete EXP 290 , EXP 392 , and EXP 395 , in that order, for a cumulative amount of no more than twelve (12) semester hours across the three courses.
Each course may be completed only once.
At least five (5) semester hours must be in COM 390 - Cooperative Education Experience–Communication (1-12 semester hours)

Complete a minimum of fifteen (15) semester hours from the following:

At least two (2) courses must be numbered 300 or above.

Traditional Track

A minimum of three (3) semester hours from one or a combination of the following:

COM 120 - Debate Practicum (0-1 semester hour) *^
COM 400 - Internship in Communication (1-3 semester hours)
COM 490 - Independent Research in Communication (1-3 semester hours)
WRT 211 - The Mirror: Photojournalism (0-1 semester hour) *^
WRT 212 - The Mirror: Newswriting (0-1 semester hour) *^
*Students may not enroll in multiple sections of the same course in a term.

^Courses offered at Main Campus location only. Students may enroll in these courses in the course delivery format available and may require in-person attendance.

Complete a minimum of fifteen (15) semester hours from the following:

At least two (2) courses must be COM designated numbered 300 or above, and no more than two (2) non-COM designated courses may count towards the fifteen semester hours. COM 280 and COM 480 can only be taken once each for credit towards major requirements.

COM 211 - Interpersonal Communication
OR COM 212 - Team-Based and Group Communication - if not used to fulfill requirement above.
COM 213 - Advanced Public Speaking
COM 225 - Political Communication & Activism
COM 235 - Communication, Conflict, & Negotiation
COM 240 - American Oratory
COM 280 - Special Topics in Communication
COM 310 - Leadership Communication
COM 331 - Critical Communication Approaches to New Media
COM 332 - Media Literacy and Effects
COM 335 - Crisis Communication
COM 365 - Health Behavior Communication
COM 480 - Special Topics in Communication
- Students may take up to two approved courses outside of the COM program towards their major electives.

- These classes must be numbered 200 or above.

- These courses may not fulfill an interdisciplinary requirement.

- Please have your advisor solicit pre-approval of the courses selected from the Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts/Communication faculty.

- You will see the approved courses on the degree audit requirements once the course is in-progress or completed.