Requires 30 hours, at least 12 of which must be at the 300-level.

All majors should begin their study of communication with these courses:

An overall minimum GPA of 2.0 in all communication courses attempted is required for graduation.

Concentrations

The Department of Communication offers its majors the opportunity to concentrate in special areas of study. Communication majors may choose to concentrate in Health, Environmental and Risk Communication; Integrated Communication Strategies; Media Studies; and Public Advocacy. Students may also opt to choose courses across the concentrations as a general communication major. 

In addition to the major course requirements, COM 102 or COM 110, COM 220, and COM 225,  students who want to declare a concentration must successfully complete four courses within their chosen concentration. Students may declare two concentrations within the department; however, they may not count a course used to meet the required four courses for one concentration to fulfill requirements for a second concentration. A list of courses approved to fulfill the concentrations in Health, Environment, and Risk Communication; Integrated Communication Strategies; Media Studies; and Public Advocacy is maintained by the Communication Department. Students declaring a concentration must do so prior to the beginning of their final semester.

Study Abroad and Transfer Credit

Up to half of a student's total hours toward their communication degree can come from study abroad or transfer credits. Courses that do not significantly match COM courses in the academic bulletin may earn elective credit in COM (COM 500) or general University elective credit not applied to COM (COM 520). These courses do not satisfy the 300-level requirement. Transfer and study abroad courses must be approved by the Department prior to enrollment in those courses.

Internship and Practicum

Internship and Practicum is open only to majors and minors who satisfy departmental requirements. For three hours of internship credit, students need a minimum of 120 on-site contact hours; applications for internship hours need to be approved by a faculty supervisor and the internship director, or the director of undergraduate studies. Only three internship credit hours can count towards a major or minor. Students may enroll in up to three hours of practicum in any semester (see course listings for practicum options). Practicum hours need to be approved by supervising faculty. In total, students can earn a maximum of six hours of practicum credit; however only three hours of these may be counted toward a major or minor in communication. All internship and practicum credits are graded pass/fail. 

Communication Concentrations

The General Concentration

Some Communication majors may wish to focus their coursework on a particular area in the communication discipline.  The five concentrations explained below provide a range of choices.  However, it is important to note that It is entirely acceptable for communication majors to opt instead to pursue a general concentration.  In this approach, students can sample widely and follow their own interests in selecting from departmental offerings while fulfilling the requirements of the major. Whether one selects a general concentration or one of the focal areas defined below, communication courses present a strong foundation for a Wake Forest liberal arts education. 

Health, Environmental, and Risk Communication Concentration

The Health, Environmental, and Risk Communication Concentration (HERC) offers a course of study that investigates how communication shapes health, environmental, and risk issues from a socio-ecological perspective. HERC classes explore the use of empirical, rhetorical, and critical/creative methods to build a more equitable, sustainable world. In these classes students investigate (1) intrapersonal processes of communication (beliefs, values, attitudes), (2) social influence factors like stigma, stereotyping, and group norms, (3) interpersonal/relational aspects ranging from family coping to patient-provider interactions, (4) public and mass media contexts such as public health crises, health/risk communication campaigns, community change programs, and integrated arts initiatives, and (5) societal discourses informing health and environmental policy. HERC concentration students have the option to obtain course credit by working with faculty and community advisers to complete community-based research, internships, and other forms of local civic engagement. Students who complete the HERC concentration will be better prepared for careers in healthcare practice, the helping professions, public health advocacy, medical and science journalism, federal agencies, and nonprofit health and environmental organizations.

Integrated Communication Strategies Concentration

The Integrated Communication Strategies (ICS) concentration educates students about the integration of communications in both online and offline contexts including traditional forms of mass communication such as TV, radio, print, and public speaking as well as new forms such as websites, blogs and social media. The goal is to ensure that all messages emanating from an organization or social movement are coordinated and aligned across all contexts to strengthen and focus the communication. The concentration is intended for those students wishing to pursue a career that involves positioning, defining or promoting organizations and their mission, services and products. 

Media Studies Concentration 

The Media Studies concentration considers the production, interpretation, and theoretical analysis of communication that is (1) disseminated to a broad and largely anonymous audience and (2) mediated by the various technological devices that make such broad dissemination of the message possible. Production courses combine technical instruction in the use of the relevant tools with aesthetic instruction in how to use those tools most effectively. The study of the interpretation, criticism, and production of the moving image receives a special emphasis in our curriculum in a core of film studies courses. Practicum work and internship experience enhance the program to prepare students to begin a career in film and media or for further study as graduate students. 

Public Advocacy Concentration 

In line with the Wake Forest University motto, Pro Humanitate, the Public Advocacy concentration combines public speaking, debate, rhetorical theory, and public address with a focus on direct engagement with the community. This concentration prepares students to serve as leaders, practicing what they learn in class and teaching, sharing, and collaborating with others both within and outside of Wake Forest. The Public Advocacy concentration provides students with the critical thinking and communication skills necessary to advance careers and causes in multiple settings: academic, legal, political, entrepreneurial, environmental, medical, and social. 

Highly qualified majors are invited by the department to apply for admission to the honors program in communication. Invitations are sent to eligible students in late fall of their senior year. To graduate with the designation “Honors in Communication,” students must have a major GPA of 3.8 or above prior to entering their final semester, declare for honors by the week before the last add/drop date in their final semester, select a faculty advisor and work with that advisor to revise a paper or creative work adapted from an existing piece. The final version of a paper or creative work must be submitted to the advisor and Undergraduate Committee for acceptance by the Committee. If accepted, the student must present the work at the award ceremony of the Department of Communication.