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B.A. in Communication Studies

T. Hoang, PhD, Coordinator
Room 1083-South
(713) 222-5373

Students who study communication focus on messages and the way they impact interpersonal, corporate, medical, and public contexts.  Our students learn about aspects of the process so that they can better understand communication problems, create effective messages, build satisfying relationships, and produce balanced teams. 

Consider adding communication (COMM) courses to your existing program to increase  career marketability and job advancement. Or, major in one of the Communication Studies concentrations and earn a powerful Bachelor’s Degree (B.A.) in Communication Studies that can open a variety of doors in communication-related careers. Additionally, a B.A. in Communication Studies from UHD will prepare you for graduate programs. Click on the links below to learn more about the COMM courses offered in each concentration. See a CHSS advisor, click on the degree worksheet, or check the catalog for an exact list of all requirements, including acceptable courses in other disciplines.

• Corporate Communication
• Interpersonal Communication
• Health Communication
• Rhetorical/Public Communication

There are also specific communication courses for students interested in the fields of Education and Public Relations.

We encourage communication majors and minors to complete an internship (COMM 4380 Field Experience) in order to receive course credit for attaining career experience. Our research shows that communication students are offered more professional opportunities when they participate in internships. Contact Toni Hoang if you are interested in learning about the Communication Networking & Internship Fair held each semester.

Required courses in all concentrations

• ENG 3302 Business and Technical Report Writing (W course)
• COMM 3314 Research in Communication Studies (S course)
• COMM 3320 Communication Theory (W course)
• COMM 4098 Portfolio (enrollment in final term, required for graduation)

Concentration 1: Corporate Communication
Students choosing to concentrate in Corporate Communication focus their studies on the development of effective and productive relationships among individuals and teams in organizational settings, the communication occurring between organizations, and the communication between organizations and customers, clients, and the community.  Students graduating with courses in this concentration are better equipped for careers such as business management, sales, marketing, human resources, community relations, group facilitation, non-profit organization management, and team leadership.  COMM courses related to Corporate Communication include:

*Required courses for this concentration

Concentration 2: Interpersonal Communication
Students choosing to concentrate in Interpersonal Communication focus their studies on the exchange of messages in one-to-one contexts.  Through learning about listening, verbal and non-verbal messages, and conflict resolution, students in this concentration are able to better understand the development and maintenance of effective personal relationships in a variety of settings.  Students graduating with courses in this concentration are better equipped for careers where relationships are critical, such as counseling, social work, employee assistance, mediation, sales, or fund-raising.  COMM courses related to Interpersonal Communication include:

*Required courses for this concentration

Concentration 3: Health Communication
The health communication program provides the skills and knowledge necessary for its graduates to assume a range of roles in diverse heath settings (e.g. public health practice and health care delivery). Students learn to develop, deliver, and evaluate health promotion and disease prevention programs and campaigns; to disseminate health information to diverse audiences; and to develop, formulate and implement health policy initiatives. Students also learn about the theory and practice of communication, as well as the basic concepts that advance relationships with health-care providers. This concentration targets students who aspire to or currently work for health organizations in various capacities and those who seek to improve their communication skills in the health care delivery process. Communication courses related to Health Communication include:

*Required courses for this concentration

4: Rhetorical/Public Communication
Students choosing to concentrate in Rhetorical/Public Communication will study communication in public settings and change leadership. They will develop strong leadership skills in three key areas of expertise: (1) public speaking, (2) collaborative decision making, and (3) rhetorical analyses. First, students learn that change begins with a strong sense of one’s own voice and a working knowledge of how messages are designed, communicated, mediated, and received by different publics. Second, students understand the importance of two-way communication in change leadership, including the ability to engage the community and design quality public decision-making processes. Third, students perform rhetorical analyses of various texts to hone their intellectual understanding of how various communicated texts, mediated messages, and even lesser explored artifacts serve as catalysts for change in a variety of contexts. Through these three areas, students experience the historical foundations of communication and its evolution in contemporary society so that they are better equipped with the skills needed to adapt to changing political climates and new communication technologies. Students graduating with courses in this concentration are better prepared to be leaders in a number of equipped for such careers such as public affairs, community relations, public campaigns, public policy, speech writing, group facilitation, human relations, communication consulting, entrepreneurship, sales, advertising, account management, technology training , and development, education, media, law school, and graduate school. Communication courses related to Rhetorical / Public Communications include;

*Required courses for this concentration

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Communication Studies Links

• Degree Worksheets for Communication Studies
• CHSS Advising

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Communication Studies Internships

COMM 4380 Field Experience (May also be called internship or co-op)

Field Experience is a pass/fail for-credit course that:

• Requires at least 120 hours in a semester at a task that is directly related to your major
• Is not your current employment
• May be paid or unpaid
• Requires you to complete academic assignments and meet the professor as scheduled

Requirements:
• Good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher)
• Classification as a Junior, Senior or Graduate student (minimum of 60 cumulative credit hours completed)
• A declared COMM major at the University of Houston – Downtown
• Valid E-mail set to receive from UHD without junking or bulking
• Students must complete and submit
• Field Experience Application
• Copy of their current resume
• UHD Grade History (available on e-services)

If you are an international student, you must receive approval from the Coordinator of International Admissions, Suite 350 South, (713) 221-8048, in addition to all of the steps and requirements given above.

Toni Hoang
Assistant Professor of Communication
Director, Communication Studies Internship Program
Department of Arts and Humanities
1 Main Street, S-1083
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 222-5373
hoangt@uhd.edu

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More Information

• COMM 4380 Field Experience
• Field Experience Application
• Electronic Portfolio COMM 4098
• Communication Studies Internship Opportunities

Activities

• Center for Public Deliberation Student Associates

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Last updated or reviewed on 3/18/13