A communication major is a program of study that encompasses the comprehensive exploration of various forms and aspects of human communication. It focuses on developing strong oral, written, and visual communication skills while also examining the underlying theories and principles that shape effective communication practices. Through coursework in areas such as interpersonal communication, digital media, visual communication, organizational communication, public speaking, and persuasive communication, students gain the ability to analyze, critically evaluate, and adapt their communication strategies in business, personal, leadership, and computer mediated contexts.
Degree Requirements
- Students who change degree programs and select this major must adopt the most current catalog.
- Co-op or internship credit may be used in this major with prior advisor approval.
- Students cannot exceed a total of six credits of internship, co-op, and independent study credits combined.
- Students must consult with a school advisor
- School residency requirement consists of at least 24 semester hours of regularly scheduled 3000-4000 level courses taken from the Nicholson School of Communication and Media.
- All prerequisites of courses taught within the College of Sciences will be enforced.
- Courses designated in 1 (General Education Program) and 2 (Common Program Prerequisites) are usually completed in the first 60 hours.
Degree Requirements
Core Requirements: Basic Level
0 Total Credits
- Basic Core fulfilled by completing SPC1608 or SPC1603C (GEP/CPP) and STA2014 or STA2023 (GEP).
Core Requirements: Advanced Level
15 Total Credits
- Complete the following:
- COM3003 - Exploring Human Communication (3)
- COM3311 - Communication Research Methods (3)
- COM3402 - Communication Theory (3)
- SPC3301 - Interpersonal Communication (3)
- SPC3602 - Advanced Public Communication (3)
Visual Communication Track
9 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Select any three courses from the list of restricted electives.
- Complete the following:
- VIC3001 - Visual Communication (3)
- Complete at least 2 of the following:
- COM4550 - Public Communication Campaigns (3)
- DIG3043 - Evolution of Video Games (3)
- FIL3006 - Art of the Cinema (3)
- FIL4661 - The Film Producer (3)
- RTV3007 - Development and Structure of Electronic Media and New Technology (3)
- RTV3511 - Production Fundamentals and Aesthetics of Electronic Media (3)
Restricted Internal Electives
9 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Note: Courses used for the track may NOT also count as electives. Students must use a different course if they have already taken one listed in the core of their track.
- **Students cannot exceed a total of six credits of internship, co-op, directed research and independent study credits combined.
- Earn at least 9 credits from the following:
- COM3330 - Computer Mediated Communication (3)
- COM4013 - Communication and the Family (3)
- COM4014 - Gender Issues in Communication (3)
- COM4022 - Principles of Health Communication (3)
- COM4026 - Current Issues in Communication (3)
- COM4110 - Business and Professional Communication (3)
- COM4120 - Organizational Communication (3)
- COM4221 - Health Literacy (3)
- COM4332 - Communication, Technology, and Change (3)
- COM4416 - Terrorism and Communication (3)
- COM4461 - Intercultural Communication (3)
- COM4462 - Conflict Management (3)
- COM4550 - Public Communication Campaigns (3)
- COM4563 - Principles of Social Innovation and Activism (3)
- COM4903H - Honors Directed Reading I (1 - 99)
- COM4906 - Independent Study (0 - 99)
- COM4912 - Research (99)
- COM4934 - Topics in Intercultural Communication (3)
- COM4941 - Internship (1 - 99)
- COM4945 - Domestic Practicum (1)
- COM4949 - Cooperative Education in Communications (1 - 99)
- COM4970H - Honors Undergrad Thesis (1 - 99)
- SPC3445 - Leadership Through Oral Communication (3)
- SPC3942 - Speech and Debate Practicum (1 - 3)
- SPC4302 - Advanced Interpersonal Communication (3)
- SPC4331 - Nonverbal Communication (3)
- SPC4426 - Group Dynamics (3)
- SPC4513C - Argumentation and Debate (3)
- SPC4540 - Persuasion and Communication (3)
- Additional restricted electives can be taken as approved by an advisor.
External Restricted Electives
6 Total Credits
- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: External Restricted Electives A minimum of six upper division credit hours from the NSCM but outside of the Communication area (i.e. Advertising - Public Relations, Digital Media, Film, Journalism, or Media Production Management) not specified as restricted internal electives above. Additionally, and when available, open courses in Business, Legal Studies, Leadership Studies, Writing and Rhetoric, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Public Administration or other related areas may be approved by NSCM advisors for use as external restricted electives.
Grand Total Credits: 39
Total Undergraduate Credit Hours Required: 120
Electives
- To fulfil the 120 required in this degree, select primarily from upper level courses. May be taken outside of the Nicholson School of Communication and Media.
Foreign Language Requirements
Graduation
- Proficiency equivalent to two semesters of college instruction in a foreign language (taught by the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures or Judaic Studies) or in American Sign Language (ASL). Standardized examinations for foreign languages may be used. ASL proficiency is met by successful completion of ASL 2140 and ASL 2150 or an appropriate score on the ASL proficiency exam. Contact the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (https://healthprofessions.ucf.edu/csd/) regarding the ASL proficiency examination. Consult with the NSCM advising staff to understand how choosing ASL might impact hours needed to graduate.
Departmental Exit Requirements
- A minimum average GPA of 2.0 is required in courses used to satisfy the major.
- To avoid graduation delays, meet with your advisor to review graduation requirements before registering for your last term.
University Minimum Exit Requirements
- A 2.0 UCF GPA
- 42 semester hours of upper division credit completed
- 60 semester hours earned after CLEP awarded
- 30 of the last 39 hours of course work must be completed in residency at UCF.
- A maximum of 45 hours of extension, correspondence, CLEP, Credit by Exam, and Armed Forces credits permitted.
- Complete the General Education Program, the Gordon Rule, and nine hours of Summer credit.
Honors In Major
- Application and admissions through The Burnett Honors College and department. More information about Honors in the Major can be found at honors.ucf.edu/research
Related Programs
- Communication Minor
- Mass Media Minor
Advising Notes
- Students should consult with an NASSC advisor.
Transfer Notes
- Lower division courses do not substitute for upper division courses.
- Courses transferred from private and out-of-state schools must be evaluated for equivalency credit. The student must provide all supporting information.
Program Academic Learning Compacts
- Program Academic Learning Compacts (student learning outcomes) for undergraduate programs are located at: http://www.oeas.ucf.edu/alc/academic_learning_compacts.htm
