The Communication Studies Program focuses on helping students to understand the dynamics of the communication process: In different contexts (interpersonal communication, communication in organizations, public and mass communication) In achieving specific goals (persuasion, decision-making) In dealing with particular human relationships (intercultural, health-related communication, communication and aging, gender and communication). Performance courses in which presentations are given to small groups are not a primary focus of the curriculum, which provides a broad social science background in theory and research. Students with specific interests in print or broadcast journalism careers should consider choosing a major in the School of Journalism. Faculty in the department are among the most published scholars in their field. The excellence of the faculty benefits students in many ways. Students may work on research projects with faculty who have a cutting-edge knowledge of the field. Students have coauthored articles and presented papers at professional conferences as a result of their involvement with Communication Studies faculty members. Majors in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Biochemistry B Biology B, M, D Chemistry B, M, D Communications Studies B, M, D Computer Science B Creative Writing M Criminology & Investigations B Economics B English B, M, D Environmental Geoscience B Foreign Languages B, M Forensic & Investigative Science B Geography B, M, D Geology B, M, D History B, M, D Individualized Major B Industrial Mathematics and Statistics B International Studies B Legal Studies M Liberal Arts and Sciences B Liberal Studies M Mathematics B, M, D Multidisciplinary Studies B Philosophy B Physics B, M, D Political Science B, M, D Professional Writing and Editing M Psychology B, M, D Public Administration M Regents Bachelor of Arts B Religious Studies B Slavic Studies B Social Work B, M Sociology M Sociology and Anthropology B Statistics M Women's Studies B B=Bachelor's; M=Master's; D=Doctorate For additional information, contact: Dr. Andrea Weber Department of Communication Studies at: acweber@mail.wvu.edu Or visit the Web site at: www.wvu.edu/~comm

The WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most diverse academic unit within West Virginia University. A faculty of 450 and a staff of 125 are involved in educating and supporting the efforts of more than 6,700 students (nearly one-fourth of the WVU student body) who are majoring in one or more of 63 undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the College’s 16 academic departments and divisions. The College’s academic units and research facilities are housed in 14 buildings on the WVU campus. The Dean’s Office is in historic Woodburn Hall. The College and its Department of Biology also maintain the Core Arboretum, a 75-acre wooded tract adjacent to the Monongahela River.

The College provides the majority of the curriculum for all WVU undergraduates and a wide variety of required and elective courses for the entire student body. Arts and sciences majors may, with permission, major in more than one discipline, and when appropriate, design highly individualized degree programs.

Eberly College undergraduate degree programs prepare students for many specific professions, while also providing a broad-based education that will remain relevant beyond the first job after graduation. Many Eberly College alumni go on to complete graduate and professional degrees. By providing students with analytic and communication skills, reasoning abilities, and a broad knowledge of the humanities and the behavioral and natural sciences, the Eberly College equips graduates for lifelong learning and prepares them to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world and an increasingly volatile job market.

Admission
If University admission requirements are met, a student may be accepted as a Pre-Communication studies major. Upon completion of certain prerequisite courses, a student may apply for admission to the Communication Studies Program. To study in the Applied Communication Studies track, a student must have at least a 2.5 GPA in all communication courses, and at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA for the admission courses (COMM 200 and 201). For admission to the Data Analysis Track, a student must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA, and a 3.0 GPA in all communication courses. A 3.0 for the admission courses (COMM 200 and 201) also is required.

Curriculum
Study in Pre-Communication Studies should include courses in introductory communication theory (COMM 200) and communication research methods (COMM 201). These two courses must be completed prior to admission as a major. Regardless of the track chosen, a minimum of 36 credit hours in communication studies must be completed, with 21 hours taken after admission.

The Applied Communication track is designed for students who plan careers in business, nonprofit, or government organizations. Along with a core of general communication course work, the program allows students to design a plan of study that will meet their individual interests and career goals.

The Data Analysis track is designed for students who desire a broad liberal-arts emphasis or who plan to enter graduate study in the behavioral and social sciences. Special emphasis is given to research methods and the collection and analysis of human communication research data. In addition, students acquire a background in social science theories in interpersonal, nonverbal, organizational, and mass communication.

Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all courses in the department to be certified for graduation with a degree in Communication Studies. Courses in Communication Studies that the student wishes to count toward the major must be completed with a grade of C or better.

Communication Studies is one of the most popular minors in the University. The minor provides a broad overview of the field. Required courses include (a) either COMM 100 and 102, COMM 100 and 104, or COMM 200 (three hours); (b) COMM 105, COMM 306, and COMM 308 (nine hours); and (c) either COMM 305, COMM 309, or COMM 316 (three hours). Students must achieve a grade of C or better in each course for the course to count toward the minor.

Course Work

Accreditation
WVU is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Career Opportunities
Knowledge of and skill in communication is perceived as an important quality by managers and personnel specialists. Graduates often use a communication studies degree to enter an employer’s career track. They also enter management/sales/promotion training positions in hotel/hospitality, airline, insurance, pharmaceutical, retail, and similar industries. Other options include administrative, human resources, organizational, and promotional communications positions in government, industry, nonprofit, or media organizations.

Graduate School Opportunities
Master’s degree graduates qualify to assume a variety of professional roles in education, industrial, health-related, government, or nonprofit institutions. They are qualified to teach the subject matter in high school and/or college. They may undertake advanced training toward a doctorate in the behavioral/social sciences. Other advanced degree options include business administration, communication studies, journalism, health administration, law, mass communication, and public administration. WVU offers a master’s degree in Communication Studies.

Salary Range
According to the 2001 National Association of Colleges and Employers, the average salary for a person with a Communication Studies bachelor’s degree was $29,356. A master’s degree average salary was $32,000. Individuals earning doctorates in Communication Studies usually command salaries in excess of $50,000 in a variety of positions in corporate consulting, nonprofit management, government research, or in higher education teaching and research positions.