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Undergrad Advising: Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers!)

When will I Need an Advising Appointment?
You will need an advising appointment to (1) Declare Communication Studies as Your Major, (2) Review Your Degree Plan (DAR), (3) Discuss questions about courses, studying abroad, and other alternatives.

Why Major or Minor in Communication Studies?
Communication skills are among the most valuable you can have. Surveys of personnel directors suggest that effective communication is the single most valued skill. Leaders and executives in a variety of professions attribute their communication ability as one of the prime reasons for their success. A major or minor in Communication Studies is an effective way to demonstrate your communication skills to your future employers.

A Major or Minor in Communication Studies
If you have taken an introductory communication course, you have already enrolled in the first in a series of interesting and relevant courses in the communication studies major or minor.

Other courses include: Interpersonal Communication, Small Group Communication, Public Speaking, and such elective courses as Nonverbal Communication, Family Communication, Political Communication, American Speeches, Media Criticism, Conflict Management, Organizational Communication, Persuasion, Media Criticism, and Communication Training.

What can you do with a Communication Studies Major or Minor?
The short answer is: almost anything you want to do. Communication Studies graduates typically pursue careers where "people skills" and the ability to solve problems and relate to others are highly valued. Possible careers include:

• Business and industry: training specialist, human resource development manager, public relations specialists, sales person, personnel manager, market researcher, or customer service representative.
• Government and social services: speech writer, campaign director, legislative assistant, fund raiser, development officer, elected official, interviewer, or negotiator.
• Other professions: lawyer, teacher, minister, health services worker, or public administrator.

What qualifies you as a declared Communication Studies Major?
Effective Spring 2006, a Texas State GPA of 2.5 and completion of 45 credit hours is required.

How do I change my major to Communication Studies?
In order to change or declare a major in Communication Studies, you will need to set up an appointment with an Academic Advisor, either in the Department Office, 205 Centennial Hall (245-2165) or in the Fine Arts Advising Center, 110 Old Main (245-1932).

What are upper level courses?
Courses at the 3000-4000 level are considered to be upper level courses. For example, COMM 3319 (Organizational Communication) is a junior level course that carries 3 semester hours.

How many upper level courses are required for graduation?
In order to graduate with a degree in Communication Studies, a student must complete 39 hours in upper level courses. Most of these will come from the student's major and minor courses of study.

What if I don't have 39 upper level hours as a requirement in major and minor?
Talk to your advisor! There are some substitutions that can be made in your additional BA required courses. You need to be aware of the number of upper level hours needed to complete your degree and have a plan for meeting the requirement.

Can these courses be taken at a community college?
No. Community colleges will only offer courses at the 1000-2000 level. These courses may be transferred in from other universities and colleges. When in doubt, make that advising appointment!

What do you do next?
Sign up for one of the next courses required for a major or minor in Communication Studies. These courses that follow COMM-1310 are offered each semester.

• Interpersonal Communication, COMM 2315
• Small Group Communication, COMM 2330
• Public Speaking, COMM 2338

Call the Department of Communication Studies office at 245-2165 to set up a personal appointment with Katie McLaughlin, Undergraduate Advisor, KM44@txstate.edu or Dr. Steven Beebe, Department Chair, SB03@txstate.edu to find out more about becoming a major or minor in Communication Studies.