Communication Studies Major: Interpersonal Communication Emphasis - Bachelor of Science (BS)

Admission requirements

(All colleges, excluding teacher certification programs)

39 credits

Courses listed in more than one category may be counted only once.

Core requirements
CST 190Introduction to Communication Studies3
CST 301Theories of Communication3
CST 498Research Methods in Communication3
CST 499Senior Project in Communication Studies3
Required
CST 230Interpersonal Communication3
CST 334Gender Communication3
or CST 336 Family Communication
CST 430Advanced Topics in Interpersonal Communication3
Select at least three credits of the following:3
Nonverbal Communication
Communicating Social Support
Intercultural Communication
Lying and Deception in Human Interaction
Gender Communication
Family Communication
Communication and Race
Communication and Aging
Select nine credits of electives, three credits from each emphasis area (see below)9
Select a minimum of six credits of electives from any CST course 16
Total Credits39
1

excluding CST 110 and CST 299.

Areas of emphasis:

Organizational & professional communication emphasis

CST 260Professional Communication3
CST 350Organizational Communication3
CST 351Interviewing: Principles and Processes3
CST 353Workplace Relationships3
CST 354Health Communication3
CST 355Diversity and Organizational Communication3
CST 358New Media and Technologies in Modern Organizations3
CST 360Public Relations3
CST 365Communication in Teams3
CST 380Communicating Leadership3

Public communication & advocacy emphasis

CST 210Presentational Speaking3
CST 211Communication and Civic Engagement3
CST 310Debate3
CST 315Communication Criticism3
CST 410Argumentation3
CST 412Community Advocacy and Social Change3
CST 413Persuasive Campaigns3
CST 415Advanced Topics in Public Communication and Advocacy3

Media studies emphasis

CST 271Media and Society3
CST 338Media and Sexuality3
CST 371Media Industries and Audiences3
CST 373Television & Media Histories3
CST 377Digital Media Production3
CST 378Emerging Media and Communication Technology3
CST 379Interactive and Experiential Media3
CST 419Communication, Media and Identity3
CST 471Broadcast and Digital Media Management3
CST 489Advanced Topics in Media Studies3

All students must complete the general education, college core, major/minor, and university degree requirements in order to qualify for a degree. The easiest way to track all of these requirements is to refer to the Advisement Report (AR) found in the Student Information System (WINGS) Student Center. All enrolled students have access to the AR. 

College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASSH/VPA) Bachelor of Science core requirements

The following conditions apply to one or both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees:

  1. Students majoring in English (writing and rhetoric or literary and cultural studies emphases) or in the department of global cultures and languages must earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Education majors earn a Bachelor of Science degree; English major: medical professions emphasis majors may earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.
  2. Students majoring in other CASSH programs may choose either a B.A. or a B.S. degree.
  3. Language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) used to fulfill general education requirement: "Mathematical/logical systems and modern languages" (GE 02, category 2) may also be used to meet the B.A. and B.S. language requirements.
  4. All other courses used to meet the requirements below must be in addition to the minimum 42 credits required in the General Education Program.
  5. At least one course in the B.A. or B.S. college degree program (core requirements) must be a CASSH designated diversity course.
  6. Applicable courses may be found on the CASSH B.A./B.S. Degree Option Course List or in the Advisement Report (AR) when the degree has been declared.

Courses used to fulfill general education requirements will not apply to core requirements except for language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) that count in the general education requirement: "Mathematical/logical systems and modern languages" (GE 02, category 2).

Bachelor of Science students complete four courses outside the department of the student's major as follows:
  1. A lab science course (from the general education list); and
  2. A social science course; and
  3. Another social science or general education natural science, or math course, or an approved CASSH alternative (ENV 101, PHL 334, PHL 339); and
  4. One additional course in humanities or fine arts or complete a global cultures and languages course 102 level or higher.
In addition to all other College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities core requirements, all students in CASSH must complete a second major, minor, or program option by satisfying one of the following:
  1. Complete a minor (or second major) outside of the student's major program, consisting of at least 18 credits; or
  2. Complete an emphasis, program or concentration of at least 18 credits outside the student's major program. General education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements; or
  3. Complete 18 credits in two or more departments or programs (at least 12 credits earned at the 300/400 level). These courses must be outside the student's major department and can be from any college. General education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements.

Baccalaureate degree requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:

  1. Fulfill the general education requirements.
  2. Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
  3. Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
  4. Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
  5. At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
  6. Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
  7. A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
  8. Submit an application for graduation via the "Apply for Graduation" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
1

Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum in order to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.

2

The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.

No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.

Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.

The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.

General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the general education requirements for more specific details.

At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level. 

Note: New students and transfer students with 15 or fewer credits earned are required to take FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.

This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.

Year 1
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CST 110 (Gen Ed Literacy-Oral)3CST 1903
FYS 100 (Gen Ed First-Year Seminar)3ENG 110 or 112 (Gen Ed Literacy-Written)3
Gen Ed Arts2-3Gen Ed Natural Lab Science4
Gen Ed Math4Gen Ed Arts2-3
Gen Ed World History3Gen Ed Health & Well-Being3
 15 15
Year 2
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CST 2303CST 3013
Minor Course3CST 336 or 3343
CASSH Core Course - Natural Lab Science4Organizational & Professional Comm. Emphasis Elective3
CST Interpersonal Communication Core Elective3Minor Course3
University Elective2Gen Ed Math/Lang/Logical System3
 15 15
Year 3
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Minor Course3CST Elective3
Gen Ed Self & Society3CST 4983
CASSH Core Course3Minor Course3
Media Studies Emphasis Elective3University Elective3
CASSH Core Course3Gen Ed Humanistic Studies3
 15 15
Year 4
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CST 4993CST 4303
Minor Course3Minor Course3
Gen Ed Minority Cultures3Gen Ed Global Studies3
CST Elective3CASSH Core Course3
Public Communication & Advocacy Emphasis Elective3CASSH Core Diversity Course3
 15 15
Total Credits: 120