Speech Communication, B.A.

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Speech communication explores the construction, diffusion, analysis, and impact of messages as they occur among individuals, groups, organizations, and cultures in the media age. Students begin the major with courses in interpersonal communication, argumentation, and public speaking. The core of the speech major focuses on how people develop communication skills, how we study communication phenomena, how we critically examine particular communication events, and how various persuasive tactics may influence members of diverse and globalized societies. Elective courses examine such areas as nonverbal communication, media and politics, visual communication, communication disorders, health communication, mediation and conflict resolution, and communication and aging.

The concepts and skills provided by the major in speech communication form a strong, liberal arts foundation for a wide variety of occupations (e.g., business, law, politics, nonprofits, conflict resolution, communication sciences, teaching, the ministry, public relations, marketing, and communication campaigns).

Degree Requirements (120 Hours)

In addition to the Program Degree Requirements, students must fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements (see College Degree Requirements ) and the University Degree Requirements (see 1400 University Degree Requirements and Graduation ).

University Grade-Point Average and Grade Requirements

Georgia State University undergraduate students must achieve an overall institutional grade-point average of 2.0 and a major GPA of 2.0 in the Major and Additional Courses areas to receive a bachelor’s degree from the university. Grades of C- can be used to satisfy graduation requirements. However, some courses have prerequisites that require a grade of C or higher. (See 1460 GPA Requirement for additional information.)

Field of Study Area (18 Hours)

World Language Requirements

World language at the 1002 or higher level 3 Hours
(See “World Language Requirement for B.A. and B.I.S. Majors,” previously described.)

Required Courses (11 Hours)

(minimum grade of C required)

SCOM 1000 - Human Communication 2 Credit Hours
SCOM 1500 - Public Speaking 3 Credit Hours
SCOM 2400 - Interpersonal Communication 3 Credit Hours
SCOM 2710 - Argumentation 3 Credit Hours

Field Electives

Select additional elective courses from the following to complete 18 hours in the Field of Study Area:

Select additional Perspectives (PERS) courses in Institutional Foundations Area
RSCH 1203 - Research Strategies and Technology 1 Credit Hours
SCOM 2300 - Business and Professional Communication 3 Credit Hours
SCOM 2900 - Intercultural Communication 3 Credit Hours
SCOM 2050 - Media, Culture, and Society 3 Credit Hours

Major Area (24 Hours)

Additional Courses Area

1. Speech Communication majors can complete the 120-hour degree requirement in a variety of ways: a minor, a certificate, a double major, or additional courses in the major. Each student should discuss these options with their academic advisor and choose the one that will best serve the student’s long-term goals.
2. Minor: at least 15 semester hours in another discipline within the Department of Communication or in another academic department/school/institute that offers a baccalaureate degree. At least nine semester hours of minor courses must be at the 3000 level or above, unless otherwise specified by the minor-granting department/school/institute. The College of Arts and Sciences requires a grade of C or higher in each course counted toward the minor.

Speech Communication majors preparing to apply for graduate programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Interdisciplinary Minor in Communication Sciences. This minor includes courses required for admissions into graduate CSD programs.

3.   Certificate: completion of an Undergraduate Certificate. The following certificates are recommended: Health and Science Communication, Social Science Data Analytics, Audiology Assistant, Digital Humanities, Technical and Professional Communication, Workplace Intercultural Competence, Gerontology, Sustainability, and Social Justice. If needed, students may take additional electives in the major to meet the 120-hour degree requirement.
4.   Double major: course work to satisfy requirements for a second major in addition to Speech Communication; all college and departmental requirements apply to this second major.
5.   Further course work in the major: three courses (9 hours) in Speech Communication beyond the 30 hours required for the major to complete the 120-hour degree requirement.

Additional Information

Internships

Credit for special projects and internships is available in all majors. Internships provide students who have already completed all other requirements to gain experience in a variety of professional sectors in the metropolitan area and to tailor programs to their specific career goals.

Graduation with Distinction in the Major

This unit offers undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn the designation of graduation with distinction in the major. Please contact the undergraduate director for the specific criteria for this honor.