A student may apply to the communication studies program and become a pre-communication studies (PCOM) major after earning a minimum 24 semester credit hours and a grade of "B" or above in COM 105 Introduction to Communication Studies (or an equivalent course).  A PCOM major becomes a communication studies (COM) major by earning a grade of "B" or above in COM 200 Research Methods (or an equivalent course).  All UNCW continuing and transfer students are subject to this gateway at the time of application.

Flexibility is the key to a communication studies degree at UNCW. The major is designed to afford each student the opportunity to create a program of study around a core of required courses.

To earn a B. A. degree in communication studies, the following core courses must be completed:

      COM 105 Introduction to Communication Studies
      CSC 105 Introduction to Computing and Computer Applications
      COM 110 Public Speaking
      COM 200 Research Methods
      COM 340 Communication Theory (This or 341 must be completed BEFORE taking 490)
      COM 341 Rhetorical Theory (This or 340 must be completed BEFORE taking 490)
      COM 490 Discipline Capstone

Majors must also complete 21 hours of additional COM course work with a minimum of
12 credit hours at the 300-400 level. 

With respect to these 21 hours, note the following restrictions on the maximum number of
credit hours from these courses:

COM 216 Storytelling in the Community (four hours)
COM 295 Seminar in Communication Studies (six hours)
COM 491 Directed Individual Study (0 hours)
COM 495 Advanced Seminar in Communication Studies (six hours)
COM 498 Internship in Communication Studies (three hours). 

A minimum 2.00 GPA is required for the core classes (18 hours) and required "21 additional hours" of communication studies course work. 

Differently titled courses with the numbers 295 or 495 may be repeated for additional credit.  A maximum number of credit hours may be counted toward graduation from these courses as follows:

COM 216 Storytelling in the Community (eight hours)
COM 491 Directed Individual Study (nine hours)
COM 498 Internship in Communication Studies (12 hours) 


Click HERE for a list of recommended courses both in and outside of COM to support various discipline specializations.