Communication: Sample 4-Year Plan

The plan listed below is designed to provide suggestions for sequencing your major courses, but there are also other ways to sequence most majors. This plan is meant to provide aid in early, provisional planning. Please consult with your academic advisor to make strategic academic decisions about which courses to take each semester.

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Sample Four Year Plan: Communication (BA)

Semester 1

- TRU 120: First Year Seminar (3 cr)
- COMM 170: Public Speaking (3 cr)
- COMM 245: Language & Social Reality (3 cr), OR COMM 252: Interpersonal Communication (3 cr)
- Dialogues Curriculum course (3-6 cr)

Semester 2

- COMM 250: Mass Communication (3 cr)
- ENG 190: Writing as Critical Thinking (3 cr)
- Dialogues Curriculum course (6-9 cr)

Semester 3

- COMM 245: Language & Social Reality (3 cr), OR COMM 252: Interpersonal Communication (3 cr)
- COMM 382: Communication Theory (4 cr)
- STAT 190: Basic Statistics (3 cr)
- COMM Major Emphasis Requirement (3 cr)
- Dialogues Curriculum course (3 cr)

Semester 4

- COMM 250: Mass Communication (if not already taken) (3 cr)
- STAT 190: Basic Statistics (if not already taken) (3 cr)
- COMM 393: WE/Critical Research Methods (if required by emphasis) (4 cr)
- COMM Major Emphasis Requirement (3 cr)
- Dialogues Curriculum course (3-6 cr)

Semester 5

- COMM 392: WE/Social Scientific Research Methods (if required by emphasis) (4 cr)
- JINS 3XX: WE/____________ (3 cr)
- COMM Major Emphasis Requirement (3 cr)
- COMM Major Elective (3 cr)
- Dialogues Curriculum course (3 cr)

Semester 6

- COMM Major Emphasis Requirement (3 cr)
- COMM Major Emphasis Requirement (3 cr)
- COMM Major Elective (3 cr)
- Dialogues Curriculum course (3-6 cr)

Semester 7

- COMM Major Emphasis Requirement (3 cr)
- COMM Major Elective (3 cr)
- COMM Major Elective (3 cr)
- COMM 498: Communication Capstone (ONLY IF graduating in Dec.) (2 cr)
- Dialogues Curriculum course (3-6 cr)

Semester 8

- COMM Major Emphasis Requirement (3 cr)
- COMM Major Elective (3 cr)
- COMM 498: Communication Capstone (ONLY IF graduating in May or August) (2 cr)
- Dialogues Curriculum course (6 cr)

NOTES:

  • COMM majors must take COMM 170 to meet the Oral Communication requirement of the Dialogues curriculum.
  • COMM majors may minor in Journalism, but only COMM 250 and COMM 455 may double-count for both the major and minor.
  • There are nine hours of electives in the COMM major. Six hours of the electives taken to complete the 43 hours of major coursework must be at 300 level or above.
  • Major electives may be taken at any point during the course of study once prerequisites have been met. Typically it is best to take them in the 2nd through 4th year.
  • Internship hours may be counted toward major electives (a maximum of 12 internship hours may be earned, no more than 9 hours in one internship).
  • WE = Writing Enhanced course
  • If you have not completed the Civics Exam, we recommend doing so in your first year.
  • Truman students are required to complete a Portfolio to graduate. We recommend starting to compile your work for the Portfolio sooner than later.
  • Students must complete their Application to Graduate the semester prior to graduating. Apply to graduate through TruView.
  • Graduating seniors need to complete their seniors test and questionnaire. We recommend reviewing the Assessment & Testing page to plan accordingly.
  • The Dialogues curriculum requires a certain number of courses/credit hours in the following Perspectives: Social, Arts and Humanities, STEM, Communications, and Statistics. The exact number of courses a student will be required to take during their undergraduate career varies individually according to the credit transferred in.

Department chair: please contact the Center for Academic Excellence with any updates to the plan above. Rev. 7-30-24

This is a sample course sequence to illustrate class offerings for this major. The Office of the Registrar is responsible for certifying completion of degree requirements based on requirements specified in Truman's Official Catalog.

Sample Plans for Related Majors

Communication Disorders: Sample 4-Year Plan Creative Writing: Sample 4-Year Plan English Major: Sample 4-Year Plan

All Sample Four-Year Plans