Communication, BA
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Degree Program Requirements
The Communication Program at Prairie View A&M University is designed to integrate theory with technology to prepare students for careers as communication professionals. The faculty teach classes using up-to-date skills and techniques and a sophisticated understanding of the organization of various media formats. With access to cutting-edge facilities and equipment for media content creation, course offerings enhance the acquisition of knowledge of the methods used in television and video production, news broadcasting, and writing and editing for print media. In addition, students are trained in public speaking, debate, public relations, advertising, and ethics and laws that govern public communication.
Students choose one of two concentrations for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication, either the Communication Studies track or the Mass Communication track. Both tracks give students a foundation in important concepts and skills including law and ethics, interpersonal communication, disciplinary writing, theory, research, and criticism.
Complete Core Curriculum Listing at https://catalog.pvamu.edu/universitycorecurriculum/
| Core Curriculum 42 Credit Hours | ||
| Communication (Select Two) | 6 | |
| Mathematics (Select One) | 3 | |
| Life and Physical Sciences (Select Two) | 6 | |
| Language, Philosophy, and Culture (Select One) | 3 | |
| Creative Arts (Select One) 1 | 3 | |
| American History (Select Two) | 6 | |
| Government/Political Science | 6 | |
| American Government | ||
| Texas Government | ||
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (Select One) | 3 | |
| Component Area Option One (Select One) | 3 | |
| Component Area Option Two (Select One) 1 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Requirements (Any One Language) | 6 | |
| Core Major Requirements | 18 | |
| Introduction to Mass Communication | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Communication Law & Ethics | ||
| Media Criticism | ||
or COMM 4351 | Rhetorical Criticism | |
| Communication Research | ||
| Senior Communication Capstone | ||
| Communication Writing Requirements | 6 | |
| Principles of Writing for the Discipline | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Screen Writing | ||
| News Writing and Reporting | ||
| Feature and Magazine Writing | ||
| Advanced Writing for the Discipline | ||
| Broadcast Writing | ||
| Concentration (Select one from below) | 18 | |
| Minor Requirements 2 | 18 | |
| Unrestricted Electives 3 | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
COMM 2300 and COMM 1318 are options for the core, but they may not satisfy both core and major requirements.
- 2
Communication majors are required to select a minor of their choice. They must satisfy the catalog requirements for the selected minor.
- 3
Unrestricted electives may be chosen from any area, though additional COMM courses are encouraged. If the selected minor is more than 18 SCH, unrestricted electives may be reduced.
Communication Studies Concentration
Communication Studies is a concentration dealing with the processes and theories of human communication interaction. This concentration deals with interpersonal, family, health, intercultural, workplace, organizational, and other communication interactions. This concentration analyzes human communication experiences as they relate to persuasion, theory, social scientific exploration, critical and cultural examination, and rhetorical analysis. Students who choose this concentration can find employment in human resources, business, consulting, and education as well as other fields; and it is the perfect stepping-stone for further study at the graduate level. Flexible in nature, this 18 SCH concentration offers a large pool of course options and allows students to choose five courses (15 SCH) that align with their career goals and personal interests. Students in the Communication Studies Concentration are also required to take Small Group Communication.
| Required Concentration Course | 3 | |
| Discussion and Small Group Communication | ||
| Concentration Electives (choose 5) | 15 | |
| Introduction to Performance | ||
| Communication, Globalization, International Media | ||
| Argumentation and Debate | ||
| Voice and Diction | ||
| Media Literacy | ||
| Visual Communication | ||
| Media Management | ||
| Persuasion | ||
| Nonverbal Communication | ||
| Gender Communication | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Communication Technology | ||
| Principles of Advertising | ||
| Principles of Public Relations | ||
| Communication as Storytelling | ||
| The Message: Hip Hop as Communication | ||
| Advanced Performance | ||
| Communication Theory | ||
| Organizational Communications | ||
| Political Communication | ||
| Special Topics in Communication Studies 1 | ||
| Professional Internship | ||
| Voice and Performance | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- 1
May be repeated up to 6 SCH with different topics.
Mass Communication Concentration
The Mass Communication Concentration is designed for students who are interested in pursuing careers in the mass media industries. This includes careers in television, film, radio, magazines, newspapers, digital media, and the music industry. Students in this concentration will develop skills in media production (e.g., shooting and editing audio and video, social media content creation) and media writing (e.g., journalism, screenwriting), as well as critical analysis of media content and its influence on society. The Mass Communication Concentration is also appropriate for students who aspire to enter media-related industries such as advertising and public relations. Flexible in nature, this 18 SCH concentration offers a large pool of course options and allows students to choose five courses (15 SCH) that align with their career goals and personal interests. Students in the Mass Communication Concentration are also required to complete a professional internship (for course credit) in their field of interest.
| Required Concentration Course | 3 | |
| Professional Internship | ||
| Concentration Electives (choose five) | 15 | |
| Video Production I | ||
| Digital Audio Production I | ||
| Introduction to Performance | ||
| Communication, Globalization, International Media | ||
| Voice and Diction | ||
| Media Literacy | ||
| Visual Communication | ||
| Copy and Editing Production | ||
| Digital Audio Production II | ||
| Media Management | ||
| Gender Communication | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Communication Technology | ||
| Digital Video Production I | ||
| Television Studio Production | ||
| Principles of Advertising | ||
| Principles of Public Relations | ||
| Communication as Storytelling | ||
| The Message: Hip Hop as Communication | ||
| Communication Theory | ||
| Political Communication | ||
| Professional Internship 1 | ||
| Voice and Performance | ||
| Digital Video Production II | ||
| Advanced Nonlinear Editing | ||
| Advanced Performance | ||
| Special Topics in Mass Communication 2 | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- 1
May be repeated up to 6 SCH. COMM 4370 is a professional internship required of communication majors with a concentration in mass communication.
- 2
May be repeated up to 6 SCH with different topics.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Degree Sequence
Core: https://catalog.pvamu.edu/universitycorecurriculum/
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall - Semester 1 | Hours | Spring - Semester 2 | Hours |
| Communication Core | 3 | Communication Core | 3 |
| American History Core | 3 | American History Core | 3 |
| Government/Political Science Core | 3 | Government/Political Science Core | 3 |
| Life and Physical Sciences Core | 3 | Life and Physical Sciences Core | 3 |
| Component Area Option One Core | 3 | COMM 1307 | 3 |
| Total | 15 | Total | 15 |
| Total Hours: 30 | |||
| Sophomore | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall - Semester 1 | Hours | Spring - Semester 2 | Hours |
| Mathematics Core | 3 | Concentration Requirement Course | 3 |
| Language, Philosophy, and Culture Core | 3 | Creative Arts Core | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Science Core | 3 | Component Area Option Two Core | 3 |
| COMM 1318 | 3 | COMM Writing Course Requirement | 3 |
| COMM 2351 | 3 | Minor Requirement I | 3 |
| Total | 15 | Total | 15 |
| Total Hours: 30 | |||
| Junior | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall - Semester 1 | Hours | Spring - Semester 2 | Hours |
| Foreign Language I | 3 | Foreign Language II | 3 |
| COMM 3351 | 3 | Concentration Requirement Course | 3 |
| Concentration Requirement Course | 3 | COMM 4350 | 3 |
| Concentration Requirement Course | 3 | Minor Requirement III | 3 |
| Minor Requirement II | 3 | Minor Requirement IV | 3 |
| Total | 15 | Total | 15 |
| Total Hours: 30 | |||
| Senior | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall - Semester 1 | Hours | Spring - Semester 2 | Hours |
| COMM 4353 | 3 | COMM 4389 | 3 |
| Minor Requirement V | 3 | Minor Requirement VI | 3 |
| Concentration Requirement Course | 3 | Concentration Requirement Course | 3 |
| Unrestricted Elective I | 3 | Unrestricted Elective III | 3 |
| Unrestricted Elective II | 3 | Unrestricted Elective IV | 3 |
| Total | 15 | Total | 15 |
| Total Hours: 30 | |||
| Name | Unit |
|---|---|
| Total Semester Credit Hours: 120 |
Marketable Skills
Marketable skills, as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30TX Plan, include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas, are valued by employers, and can be either primary or complementary to a major. Marketable skills are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities.
BA Communication
Degree Skills
- Communicate ideas effectively to a variety of audiences
- Utilize a variety of communication tools and styles
- Conduct research, analyze data, and identify key findings
Concentration Skills
- Produce audiovisual media content appropriate for various personal and professional needs
- Work collaboratively to solve problems and/or deliver messages in a variety of formats
- Utilize communication theory to solve real-world problems and provide useful insights in personal and professional settings
Co-curricular and Extracurricular Skills
- Produce media content across a variety of platforms
- Develop research-based arguments and engage in informed and civil debate