Jan 18, 2025  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Catalog Navigation
  Catalog Home
  About K-State
  University Leadership
  Kansas Board of Regents
  University Department Heads & Administrators
  Campuses
  Statements and Disclosures
  Governance and Faculty
  Academic Calendars
  All-University Regulations
  Academic Policies and Procedures
  General Education: K-State Core
  General Education: K-State Core Elementary Education PK-6
  Tuition and Fees
  Student Financial Assistance
  Glossary and Abbreviations
  K-State Course Search
  Course Description Key
  Courses
  Colleges and Departments
  Degrees and Certificates Offered
  Academic Degree Maps
  Accelerated Degree Programs
  Online Programs
  Archived KSU Catalogs
  K-State Research and Extension
  Research Facilities and Centers
  Academic Advising
  International Programs
  Services for Students
  Support Services
  Undergraduate Admission
  KSIS
  Auxiliary Services and Facilities
  K-State Athletics
  K-State Libraries
  Webmail
  My Portfolio
HELP
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Communication Studies (BA)

Location(s): Manhattan Campus

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Degrees and Certificates Offered

The communication studies program develops the skills and perspectives of forward-thinking, culturally competent, and ethical leaders. By developing the human and digital skills needed in today’s and tomorrow’s workplaces, relationships, and communities, students emerge ready to pursue successful careers, build healthy relationships, and be involved and lead in their communities. Communication studies students build skills in practices such as group communication, organizational communication, conflict management, leadership, interpersonal communication, persuasion, and presentation. Students also increase their ability to analyze communication in different social, political, and organizational settings. The communication studies degree prepares students for a variety of careers, including those in law, government, advocacy, business, sales, emerging technology, and more. 

In addition to the general university and college requirements for the BA/BS degree, undergraduate majors in communication studies take 43 credit hours of coursework in the  A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication. All majors complete 1 credit hour of orientation, 3 credit hours in innovation and creation, 12 credit hours in the foundations of communication, 3 credit hours in methods, 3 credit hours of a capstone experience, and 21-24 credit hours of two specializations.

Kansas State University Core: 34-36 Credit Hours

KBOR Statewide Transfer (SWT) Courses: https://www.kansasregents.org/academic_affairs/transfer-articulation.

English (Written Communication Outcomes): 6 Credit Hours

Communication (Oral Communication Outcomes): 3 Credit Hours

Math & Statistics (Quantitative Literacy Outcomes): 3 Credit Hours

Natural & Physical Sciences (Natural & Physical Sciences Outcomes): 4-5 Credit Hours

Choose 1 subject area which must include a lab.

Social & Behavioral Sciences (Social & Behavioral Sciences Outcomes): 6 Credit Hours

At least 2 courses from 2 subjects under this area.

Arts & Humanities (Arts & Humanities Outcomes): 6 Credit Hours

At least 2 courses from 2 subjects under this area.

Free Electives (Institutionally Designated Area): 6 Credit Hours

Includes ALL 100 and 200 level courses at K-State or in Transfer. 
Note: One course may be used to satisfy more than one requirement. However, students must complete a total of 34-36 credit hours of general education courses.

For a Full Listing of K-State 100/200 level courses you may search those courses individually via the University Course Catalog.

TOTAL CREDITS: 34-36

Program Requirements

Orientation: 1 Credit Hour

Outside Concentration: 9 Credit Hours

Outside credential of at least 9 credit hours (May be from any unit, except COMM and MC, OR from approved interdisciplinary credentials within the unit).

OR

Any 9 credit hours in a single prefix (except for COMM and MC) (all must be 300 level or above OR at any level with a prereq in the same prefix; up to 5 credit hours may overlap with program).

OR

Any 9 credit hours in a microcredential (up to 5 credit hours may overlap with program).

Overlays: [9] Credit Hours

May be fulfilled in K-State Core, Outside Concentration, electives, or the Program itself.

  • Ethical Reasoning Overlay Credits: [3]
  • Global Perspectives Overlay Credits: [3]
  • US Multicultural Overlay Credits: [3]

Programs

Foundations of Communication: 12 Credit Hours

Innovation and Creation: 3 Credit Hours

Writing Conventions: 1 Credit Hour

Content Creator Studio: 2 Credit Hours

And choose two of the following:

Methods: 3 Credit Hours

Choose one of the following:

Application/Capstone: 3 Credit Hours

Choose one of the following:

Specializations: 21-24 Credit Hours

Complete two specializations totaling 21-24 credit hours; courses can count toward multiple specializations.

Communication, Identity, and Relationships: 12 Credit Hours

Organizational and Career Communication: 12 Credit Hours

Political and Civic Advocacy and Communication: 12 Credit Hours

Legal Advocacy and Communication: 12 Credit Hours

Coaching and Consulting: 12 Credit Hours

Emerging Technology and Networked Communication: 12 Credit Hours

Truth, Information, and Freedom of Speech: 12 Credit Hours

BA Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Requirement: 12 Credit Hours

3 credit hours in each of the following, with at least 6 credit hours at 300 level or above OR at any level with a prerequisite in the same discipline.

One course in Humanities Credits: 3

Any course or combination of courses in Fine Arts Credits: 3

One Non-Quantitative Social Science; Any Social course that does NOT have a MATH or STAT prereq Credits: 3

BA Natural and Quantitative Requirement: 6 Credit Hours

One course in each of the following, with at least 3 credit hours total at 300 level or above OR at any level with a prerequisite in the same discipline.

Natural Science or Quantitative course Credits: 3

Natural Science, or Quantitative, or Social Science with MATH or STAT Credits: 3

BA Second Language Requirement: 6 Credit Hours

Choose one of the following:

Option 1: 3-14 Credit Hours

At least 3 credit hours of coursework culminating with level 4 or above (i.e., Frech 4, German 4, Spanish 4, etc.) or the equivalent of level 4 in a second language sequence.

Option 2: 16 Credit Hours

At least 16 credit hours of coursework in which student takes the first and second levels of two different languages, selected from any language offered within the department of Modern Languages, ASL, or from any other second language transferred in at an equivalent level.

Option 3: 3 Credit Hours

Students whose first language is not English may satisfy this requirement by meeting the English Proficiency Admission Standards for K-State or by completing the appropriate level of exit courses with the English Language Program.

Free Electives: 0-52 Credit Hours

In addition to K-State Core Free Electives requirement, take any course so that the total credit hours completed equals 120.

Grand Total for Program of Study: 120

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Degrees and Certificates Offered