2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog


Department of Communication Studies

A degree in communication studies will serve the academic and career objectives of a variety of students. As a vital component of a liberal arts education, competence in oral communication is a requirement for most positions in business and industry. A major in communication studies provides an understanding of the interpersonal and public communication processes needed for careers in teaching, research, or business organizations as well as a foundation for further professional or academic study. Students also develop competencies in public speaking, listening, interviewing and group communication as well as everyday human relations.

Students may declare a major in communication as an incoming first-year student, transfer student, or by requesting a change of major through the TCU Registrar’s office. In order to declare the major, current TCU students must be in good standing with the University, including an overall GPA of at least a 2.0.

Majors taking classes counting toward departmental degree requirements must take them for graded credit. Any courses completed in the department receiving a pass under the Pass/No-Credit Policy before the student declares communication studies as a major will count as University electives but will not count toward the hour requirement to satisfy the major. Students may not receive credit toward the communication studies major for both COMM 10123 and COMM 10163.

All courses counted toward a major or minor in communication studies must have a grade of "C-" or better.

Honors College

Communication studies majors who plan to pursue departmental honors must be members of the Honors College and should take COMM 30003 their junior year and COMM 40003 their senior year. Honors students should consult with the department chair concerning additional guidelines.

Communication Studies Degrees

The Department of Communication Studies offers the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree.