At-a-Glance
Contact Information: School of Communication, 2001 Euclid Avenue, Music and Communication 233, Cleveland, Ohio 44115 • 216-687-4630
Internships: Internship opportunities are available to all students. For more information, please call 216-687-2116 or contact your Division Director.
Introduction
From television to the Internet and conversations between doctors and patients, communication plays a major role in contemporary society. The School of Communication introduces students to the study of communication, with courses emphasizing the effects of communication on everyday life, dynamics of interpersonal relationships, and career-related skills. Students take courses from a nationally ranked faculty. They gain an appreciation for the social scientific study of communication and obtain training in public speaking, news writing, and film production. The school is a hub of activity, with a laboratory newspaper, digital video communication center, communication research center and a theater arts building.
Degrees
Communication (B.A.)
Communication Management (B.A.) (see the Communication Management section of this catalog)
Film and Digital Media (B.A.) (see the Film and Digital Media section of this catalog)
Journalism and Promotional Communication (B.A.) (see the Journalism and Promotional Communication section of this catalog)
Minor Programs
Certificate Programs
Three certificate programs sponsored or co-sponsored by the School of Communication are Certificate in Journalism, Certificate in Multimedia Advertising and Certificate in Science Writing.
Journalism Certificate
For admission to this certificate program, students must complete the prerequisite course COM 225 (Media Writing) with a minimum grade of B- (B-Minus). A 2.25 GPA must be maintained across all required courses (16 credit hours).
Requirements for the Certificate in Journalism
The certificate requires 16 semester hours of core courses in journalism. A list of optional electives allows those who wish to specialize to also focus their program in broadcast journalism. The following courses make up the certificate program.
Prerequisite:
Required Courses: (12 credit hours)
Options: (Choose one course for 4 credit hours)
Suggested electives (not included in the certificate courses):
- COM 347 Political Communication
- COM 359 International Communication
- COM 447 Public Relations Writing
- COM 493 Special Topics in Communication (when appropriate)
Multimedia Advertising Certificate
The certificate program includes 16 semester hours of core courses in visual art, advertising principles, advertising applications, and marketing analysis. A 2.25 GPA must be maintained across all required courses. The following courses are prerequisites to those required for the certificate.
Prerequisites:
- ART 102 Introduction to 2-D Art and Design
- ART 242 Introduction to Typographic Principles and Design
- MKT 301 Fundamentals of Marketing
NOTE: COM 350 Persuasive Communication and Attitude Change is recommended as a foundation for the COM courses in this certificate program.
Required Core Courses:
- ART 244 Introduction to Macintosh
- COM 360 Principles of Advertising OR
MKT 441 Integrated Marketing Communications - COM 450 Media Programming and Research OR
COM 455 Communication Campaigns OR
COM 460 Advertising Copywriting and Layout Design - MKT 420 Consumer Behavior OR
MKT 431 Marketing Research
Recommended Electives:
- ART 344 Advanced Raster-Image Development
- ART 345 Advanced Vector-Image Development
- ART 444 Advanced Typography and Design
- ART 445 Introduction to Digital Media
- COM 204 Single-Source Video/Audio Production and Editing
- COM 352 Multi-Source Video Production
- COM 357 Principles of Public Relations
- COM 358 Media Law, Economics, and Ethics
- COM 370 Communication Technology and Social Change
- MKT 450 Personal Selling and Sales Management
- MKT 454 Internet Marketing
For more information, please contact the appropriate department: Art Department 216-687-2040, School of Communication 216-687-4630, or Department of Marketing 216-687-4771.
Science Writing Certificate
The Science Writing Certificate at the School of Communication provides undergraduates and professionals with the opportunity to develop specialized knowledge in media writing, science reporting, the scientific method and contemporary science. The certificate comprises courses in the School of Communication and the Science College. Students who complete this certificate are expected to have a working knowledge of contemporary scientific concepts and methodological approaches appropriate to their study. Students who successfully complete the certificate will have the tools necessary to explain interesting and complex ideas to a general audience.
About Required Courses:
The certificate requires 18 semester hours. Science as a Way of Thinking (SCI 220)* is a course designed for this program. There are 8 hours of core courses in journalism. Students will choose a 6-credit exit project in one of four areas, combining Health Communication, Electronic Journalism, Editing & Graphics or Advanced Public Relations with COM 493 Science Communication.
Admission & Completion:
For admission to this certificate program, students must complete the prerequisite course Media Writing (COM 225) with a minimum grade of B-. The following courses make up the certificate program. A 2.25 GPA must be maintained across all required courses.
Prerequisite:
Required Courses:
Exit Options:
- COM 493 Special Topics (Science Communication)
Choose one of the following to be taken in conjunction with COM 493:
- COM 362 Health Communication
- COM 405 Electronic Journalism
- COM 425 Editing & Graphics
- COM 447 Public Relations Writing
(COM 405 and COM 447 have other prerequisites.)
* Note: Students must satisfy the university's General Education Requirements in Natural Science. Thus, students must complete SCI 220 in addition to their two General Education ED science courses, one of which must include an approved laboratory component. [an error occurred while processing this directive]Communication (B.A.)
At-a-Glance
Minimum hours required for major: 40
Minimum hours required for minor: 20
Joint Program Available: Political Communication with Department of Political Science
Evening Program: Yes
Foreign Study Program: Yes
Advising: Contact the School of Communication office 216-687-4630
Financial aid: Scholarship assistance awarded to students in the School of Communication.
- W.O. and Naomi E. Walker Scholarship
- Max Axelrod Scholarship. (Students with journalism emphasis)
- Donald Marcus Scholarship. (Students with advertising emphasis)
- Jana Stone Scholarship. (Public relations emphasis)
- Raymond Dorsey Scholarship. (Physically disabled student with a preference for a journalism sequence)
Scholarships are awarded annually. Call the main office at 216-687-4630 for information.
The Bachelor of Arts in Communication: The major in Communication provides students with a critical understanding of the complex, vital role that communication plays in contemporary life. Coursework offers students a host of intellectual, problem-solving, and career-related skills. In contemporary society, which is characterized by a dazzling array of new technologies, rapid social change, instant messaging, and dynamic interpersonal relationships, it is imperative that students appreciate the ways communication influences everyday life. Students who obtain a major in communication will take classes from a nationally ranked faculty and gain exposure to communication specialists who work in public and private sector jobs in Northeast Ohio. The major lays a strong general foundation in communication processes and effects.
More specialized training is available in the fields of Journalism and Promotional Communication, Film and Digital Media, and Communication Management. The School of Communication offers these three areas as separate bachelor's degree programs.
Major-Field Requirements
All majors are required to take a minimum total of 40 semester credit hours in Communication and maintain a 2.25 GPA across all communication courses to graduate with a major in Communication. All School of Communication Majors are required to successfully complete COM 101 (Principles of Communication) and COM 303 (Communication Inquiry) with a minimum grade of C. Two core courses, three theory courses, one capstone and four communication elective courses are required for the communication major. Transfer students must obtain at least 20 credit hours from Communication courses at Cleveland State University.
Communication Major Required Courses (8 credit hours):
Required Communication Major Theory Courses (12 credit hours):
- COM 211 Communicating in Personal Relationships
- COM 226 Mass Media and Society
- COM 327 Media Criticism
- COM 330 Nonverbal Communication
- COM 345 Film Theory
- COM 346 Communication in Organizations
- COM 347 Political Communication
- COM 350 Persuasive Communication and Attitude Change
- COM 359 International Communication
- COM 362 Health Communication
- COM 366 Communication and Conflict
- COM 370 Communication Technology & Social Change
- COM 380 Family Communication
Required Communication Major Capstone Courses (4 credit hours):
- COM 401 Advanced Video/Audio Production
- COM 405 Electronic Journalism
- COM 411 Film Production II
- COM 427 Laboratory Newspaper II
- COM 444 Mediation and Collaborative Problem-Solving
- COM 447 Public Relations Writing
- COM 448 Managing Organizational Teams
- COM 449 Advanced Issues in Health Communication
- COM 450 Media Programming and Research
- COM 455 Communication Campaigns
- COM 475 Communication and Training in Organizations
Communication Major Electives (16 credit hours); See course listing for all Communication classes. A course can fulfill only one school requirement.
Communication Minor
All minors are required to take a total of 20 credit hours in communication courses. Eight hours are to include COM 101 and COM 303. A total of 12 hours should include 4 hours of a theory course and 8 hours of elective courses. Transfer students must obtain at least 12 credit hours from communication courses at Cleveland State University .
Please note: Courses may only fulfill one requirement for the communication major and minor. Capstone requirements must be taken at Cleveland State University. Transfer credits do not meet Capstone requirements. Only four credits of COM 490 Internship in Communication and COM 496 Independent Study count toward the communication major. Any additional credits may count as university elective credits.
