Bachelor of Arts in Communication

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication prepares students to understand the critical role of communication in the diverse contexts of their lives and to apply skills, such as critical thinking, collaborative problem solving, intercultural communication, conflict management, and persuasion in personal and professional contexts.

Admission Requirements

Graduation Requirements

Foundational Courses
Complete one of the following foundational courses:3
Fundamentals of Oral Communication
Small Group Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Public Speaking
Core Courses
COMM A280Communication Theories in Action3
COMM A305Intercultural Communication3
or COMM A345 Communication and Gender
COMM A385Communication Research Methods3
COMM A412Persuasion3
Communication Electives
Complete an additional 8 courses from the following, of which at least 5 must be upper division24
Fundamentals of Oral Communication
Small Group Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Public Speaking
Organizational Communication
Health Communication
Intercultural Communication
Argumentation and Debate
Collaboration and Group Decision Making
Communication and Conflict
Nonverbal Communication
Advanced Public Speaking
Communication and Gender
Communication in the Workplace
Competitive Debating
Relational Communication
Selected Topics in Communication
Family Communication
Communication and Leadership
Language Requirement
Complete two courses in any one language other than English, which may include American Sign Language or Alaska Native Languages8
Total47

A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, of which 39 must be upper-division.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication will be able to:

  • Explain, synthesize, apply, and critique communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts;
  • Engage in communication scholarship;
  • Create ethical, appropriate, and effective messages for the relationship, audience, purpose, and context;
  • Critically analyze and respond to messages;
  • Use communication to understand difference.

Sample Plan

The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the plan below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.

Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.

  • Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.
  • GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.
  • Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
  • Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.
  • Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
  • Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.
Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
WRTG A111 Writing Across Contexts 3
COMM A280 Communication Theories in Action 3
GER Fine Arts 3
GER Oral Communication Skills 3
GER Quantitative Skills 3
 Credits15
Spring
COMM A305
Intercultural Communication
or Communication and Gender
3
GER Natural Science 3
GER Natural Science Lab 1
GER Written Communication Skills (200-level WRTG) 3
Program Elective 3
 Credits13
Second Year
Fall
GER Natural Science Lecture 3
GER Social Sciences 3
Elective 3
Program Elective 3
Program Elective (Language) 4
 Credits16
Spring
GER Alaska Native-Themed 3
GER Intercultural Fluency 3
GER Social Sciences 3
Program Elective 3
Program Elective (Language) 4
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Upper Division Program Elective 3
Upper Division Program Elective 3
 Credits15
Spring
COMM A385 Communication Research Methods 3
Elective 3
Upper Division Elective 3
Upper Division Program Elective 3
Upper Division Program Elective 3
 Credits15
Fourth Year
Fall
Elective 3
Elective 3
Upper Division Elective 3
Upper Division Elective 3
Upper Division Program Elective 3
 Credits15
Spring
COMM A412 Persuasion 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Upper Division Elective 3
Upper Division Elective 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits120