Bachelor Communications Studies

The School of Communication Studies (COMS) offers a Bachelor of Science in Communication (B.S.C.) with a liberal arts education, emphasizing the scientific and artistic bases of communication. Courses combine theory and practice as students study the historical and conceptual foundations of the field of communication. An historical understanding of communication theory is useful but insufficient in a globally competitive world, so the major in communication studies also equips students with the competencies most prized by employers including strong oral and written communication, effective interpersonal and group communication skills, cultural aptitude, critical thinking, meeting planning, and problem-solving/decision-making.  

A COMS degree prepares students for professional life, but not a specific career. Students may pursue a concentration in one of three overlapping areas: Organizational Communication, Health Communication, and Communication and Public Advocacy. The COMS B.S.C. can be completed on the Athens or Regional campuses (links direct you to the program overview) and requires a minimum of 120 total credit hours, including 42-credit hours in COMS and 18-credit hours of related area coursework outside of COMS.

The Related Area Requirement allows students to develop skills and knowledge in one or more specific areas related to career aspirations. For example, COMS majors may choose to complete one or more of the 100+ minors or certificates (link to a list and descriptions of all minors, majors, and certificates) to fulfill part of this 18-credit hour requirement or consult with an academic advisor to create a related area unique to professional goals. Popular minors include Advertising and Public Relations, Marketing, Political Science; and, popular certificates include Law, Justice and Culture, Sales, Social Media, and Strategic Leadership. Whether you choose a minor, certificate or to create your own related area, the combination of communication competencies with career specific curricular content make COMS graduates particularly sought after by employers.  

 

How to Apply:

Current Ohio University Students who wish to declare COMS as their program of study are encouraged to email Dr. Purba Das at dasp@ohio.edu to receive a TEAMS invitation for an information session.

 

For advising contact:

Purba Das, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Campus Program Liaison
Riffe: 170, 1804 Liberty Avenue
Ironton, OH 45648
Email: dasp@ohio.edu
T: 740.533.4595

Submit applications and supplemental materials (a 300-word essay: Why is COMS an appropriate major for you? Additionally, a "What If DARS" for COMS). Please note that we review applications the first week of each of the following months: September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, and May. 

Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 for consideration.

 

FRESHMEN
An incoming new student at the regional campus who has applied for admission, usually through Student Services. To be admitted to the School of Communication Studies Program ALL incoming freshmen must meet the following standards:

• Top 30% of their high school class

• Minimum score of 21 ACT or 990 SAT

Student Services at each regional campus will pull applications for those incoming individuals identified for COMS. The new Student Services "Primary Contact" individual will determine that the individual meets requirements for admission as specified by catalog. The Point Person and Communication Degree Programs will verify the acceptability of the candidate and assume responsibility for submission of the Update Form and/or the Related Area Form after an individual has been issued a Letter of Acceptance to the School of Communication Studies.

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Health Communication

Students focused on health communication are concerned with people’s communication and knowledge needs in such areas as the relationships between patients and their health care providers, family dynamics, dissemination of health information, and the use of emerging technology to improve health and health care. Learning about health communication is inspired by questions including:

How are health care relationships created, maintained, and shifted through communication? How do families communicate about health? How do cultural differences shape health communication? How do environmental, economic, and political forces impact health communication? How do emerging technologies shape health communication practices? How are health campaigns designed, implemented, and evaluated?

Recent graduates are employed in health care organizations as patient advocates or in human resources, in non-profit health agencies, and as pharmaceutical sales representatives.

Organizational Communication

Communication is a defining feature of organizations. Organizational communication is the study of how individuals construct and exchange messages to enable goal-oriented activity and cope with uncertainty. Coursework adopts a communication approach to exploring organizational structures, interpersonal relationships, power and control, leadership, organizational socialization, and diversity at work.

Recent graduates are employed in major consulting firms, national financial service providers, conference planning companies, and information management organizations.

Communication and Public Advocacy

Students concentrating their studies in Communication and Public Advocacy focus on the integration of political and legal communication theory and practice. Coursework emphasizes the role of communication in argument, debate, and politics, including the ethical and rhetorical implications of constitutional guarantees and persuasive strategies characteristic of contemporary political communication.

Recent graduates are attending nationally-ranked law schools, working as state legislative staff, lobbying in Washington, D.C., and managing political campaigns.