Communication BA, Interpersonal Communication Emphasis
The Interpersonal Communication emphasis area focuses on communication processes in personal relationships. Students in this emphasis area will master the ability to communicate meaningfully with colleagues, clients, and loved ones in a variety of settings. Strong interpersonal skills are needed in almost any type of job and can truly transform your career and your life. Our faculty members are actively engaged in research and our students benefit from first-hand knowledge not currently offered at other institutions. Many faculty members have been recognized for excellence or innovation in teaching.
Degree Requirements
Students majoring in communication must complete a minimum of 36 credit-hours in communication courses. Students may complete either a general communication degree or they may select one of four different emphasis areas as a focus for their studies: Interpersonal Communication, Mass Communication, Applied Visual Communication, or Strategic Communication. To complete the degree with one of these emphases, the student must complete the 21 credit-hour core and at least 15 hours of electives from within the selected emphasis area. In addition, the skills and knowledge applied in the required Practicum/Internship should be consistent with the selected emphasis area. Students seeking a general communication degree must complete the 21 credit-hour core and can select elective courses from any combination of the emphasis areas.
General Education Requirements
Majors must satisfy the university and college general education requirements. The college's foreign language requirement may be taken in any language. Communication courses may not be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Degree Requirements
At least 18 credit hours must be taken at UMSL. Furthermore, at least 12 credit hours of the communication courses completed must be numbered 3000-4999 for students seeking a general communication degree, as well as for students pursuing an emphasis area. All students must earn a C or better in each of the required core courses of the major and maintain a 2.0 grade point average in all of the courses applied to the communication degree.
| Course Number | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| COMM 1030 | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication (MOTR COMM 120) | 3 |
| COMM 1050 | Introduction to Media Literacy | 3 |
| COMM 2231 | Workplace Communication: Secrets to Success | 3 |
| COMM 2332 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COMM 2235 | Professional Communication | 3 |
| COMM 3330 | Research Methods in Communication I | 3 |
| COMM 4920 | Project Capstone | 3 |
| or COMM 4950 | Internship Capstone | |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
Emphasis Area Requirements
The interpersonal emphasis area focuses on communication between individuals and the impact of verbal and nonverbal communication on personal relationships. 15 credits are needed.
Up to six credit hours of Special Topics Courses, Directed Readings courses, and Supervised Research courses offered by the Communication and Media Department can be applied to the emphasis area if the specific topic of the course is relevant to the emphasis area.
| Course Number | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Choose five of the following courses: | ||
| Introduction to Health Communication | ||
| Building Community in Groups (MOTR COMM 125) | ||
COMM 2240 | ||
| Communication in Family, Dating, and Marriage | ||
| Communication and Gender | ||
| Advanced Health Communication | ||
| Seminar in Fundamental Communication Theory | ||
| Seminar in Fundamental Interpersonal Communication Theory | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Learning Outcomes
- Explore the roles that communication plays in personal and professional relationships
- Evaluate situations and apply interpersonal communication strategies that will be effective to achieve one’s goals
- Apply theories and models of interpersonal communication phenomena to complex, real-life experiences
- Recognize and adapt to different cultures and perspectives
- Sharpen one’s self- and other-awareness in order to successfully navigate conflict, manage teamwork, and enhance interpersonal relationships
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| INTDSC 10031 | 1 | COMM 2231 | 3 |
| COMM 1030 | 3 | EXPLORE - Mathematics & Life/Natural Sciences | 3 |
| COMM 1050 | 3 | EXPLORE - Humanities & Fine Arts | 3 |
| ENGL 1100 | 3 | EXPLORE - Humanities & Fine Arts | 3 |
| CORE - Mathematics Proficiency | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| CORE - US History & Government | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| COMM 2235 | 3 | COMM 2332 | 3 |
| CORE - Information Literacy | 3 | EXPLORE - Humanities & Fine Arts | 3 |
| EXPLORE - Mathematics & Natural Sciences | 3 | EXPLORE - Mathematics & Natural Sciences | 3 |
| FGN LANG 1001 | 5 | FGN LANG 1002 | 5 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| COMM 3330 | 3 | COMM XXXX: Interpersonal Communication Emphasis Course | 3 |
| ENGL 3100 | 3 | COMM XXXX: Interpersonal Communication Emphasis Course | 3 |
| FGN LANG 2101 | 3 | COMM XXXX: Interpersonal Communication Emphasis Course | 3 |
| Cultural Diversity | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| Elective or minor | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| COMM 1950 | 1 | COMM 4920 | 3 |
| COMM XXXX: Interpersonal Communication Emphasis Course | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| COMM XXXX: Interpersonal Communication Emphasis Course | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| Elective or minor | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| Elective or minor | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| Elective or minor | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours: 120 | |||
INTDSC 1003 is required only for first-time freshmen and transfer students with less than 24 college credits.
Please Note: This plan is an example of what a four year plan could look like for a typical student. Placement exam scores in math as well as the completion of coursework may change the plan. It should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor each semester. All requirements are subject to change.