Texas Tech University

In survey after survey, effective communication is listed by employers as one of the most important attributes any prospective employee might have. For example, a 1996 survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers ranked oral communication as the number one skill for which employers were looking. Other skills preferred by employers in the same survey (interpersonal skills, teamwork, written communication, leadership) also are closely related to the material taught in the TTU Department of Communication Studies.

The Communication Studies program at Texas Tech is designed to prepare professionals for careers in business, industry, social service, and education. To accomplish this goal, plans are offered that allow for the study of communication skills and theories and their applications to problems in work and social settings. Given the wide range of professions in which effective communication is essential to success, our graduates seek and find employment in many different fields. Job titles for some of our graduates include Account Executive, Bank Methods Analyst, Campaign Director, Communication Consultant, Copywriter, Director of Corporate Communication, Secondary School Teacher, Marriage Counselor, Personnel Administrator, and Speech Writer.

In addition to classroom instruction, the department sponsors cocurricular and extracurricular activities in forensics (speech and debate) and maintains a local chapter of Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha (national forensic honorary).  For advanced students, an undergraduate internship in Communication Studies is an option. The internship, normally completed in the student’s last spring semester, provides an opportunity for practice in applied settings.

Requirements for the Major. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better to be admitted to the major in Communication Studies. Entering freshmen and transfer students are admitted on a provisional basis. Continuing enrollment requires a 2.00 GPA or better in the first 15 hours taken at Texas Tech University.

Students seeking an undergraduate degree in Communication Studies will complete a course of study that consists of 36 hours of Communication Studies courses with at least 18 hours of advanced courses. The department recognizes that each student has unique educational objectives and professional goals. Therefore, a flexible and individualized plan of undergraduate study is developed to be compatible with the student’s aims. A minimum of 12 hours toward the major must be completed in residence at Texas Tech.

All students who major in Communication Studies must complete COMS 1301, 2300, 2301, 2302, and 3311. These courses should be taken before the student completes more than 18 hours of coursework in Communication Studies. Students who major in Communication Studies have the option to declare a specialization in one of three areas: Communication and Public Affairs (CPA), Interpersonal Communication (IPC), or Corporate-Organizational Communication (COC). Students must take 15 hours from the required set, 12 hours from one of the three COMS tracks as a specialization, and may choose 9 hours of electives within the major (from the same track, another track, or from the list of "Other COMS Courses") for a total of 36 hours.  A student who chooses not to declare a specialization will take a minimum of 6 hours from each of the three concentrations plus 3 hours of COMS elective at the junior/senior level toward the required total of 36 hours in the major.

Requirements for the Minor. A minor consists of 18 hours of Communication Studies with at least 9 hours in advanced courses. At least 6 hours of the minor must be completed in residence at Texas Tech. Students who minor in Communication Studies must complete COMS 1300, 2300, and 2301. These three courses should be taken before enrolling in upper-division COMS courses. Remaining courses may be selected from other departmental offerings.

Teacher Certification. Students desiring secondary certification in Communication Studies must complete the following: COMS 1300, 2300, 3314, 3351, 4314; TH A 2305; MCOM 1300; and 9 hours of electives, all of which must be at the upper-division level. Students may choose to use Communication Studies as a specialization for the elementary certificate. These students must take COMS 1300, 2300, 3331, 3332, 3351, and TH A 2305. Students may teach communication through the English and Language Arts certification option. See the English advisor for details of this program.

Courses in Communication Studies. (COMS)

Required for the major:

1301. Interpersonal Communication

2300. Public Speaking

2301. Communication Theory (writing intensive)

2302. Communication Research (writing intensive)

3311. Rhetoric in Western Thought

This specialization emphasizes communication with constituencies in the public and private sectors. Sample career paths for those choosing this specialization might include industrial and labor relations, philanthropy and fund raising, public administration and politics, speech writing, the ministry, and secondary school speech instruction.

3313. Persuasion

3314. Argumentation and Debate

3315. Political Campaign Communication

3318. Persuasion and Social Movements

4304. Internship in COMS

4310. Special Topics in Rhetoric

This specialization emphasizes communication in a variety of face-to-face settings, with particular concern for personal and intimate relationships. Sample career paths for those choosing this specialization might include conflict resolution specialists, the hospitality industry, diversity training, and work in human resources.

3331. Nonverbal Communication

3332. Intercultural Communication

3333. Communication in Relationships

3334. Gender and Communication

4304. Internship in COMS

4330. Special Topics/Interpersonal Comm.

This specialization emphasizes communication in a variety of organizational contexts, including non-profit organizations, healthcare administration, small business, and Fortune 500 companies. Sample career paths for those choosing this specialization might include business management, organizational consulting, market analysis, and production management.

3351. Communication in Instruction/Training

3353. Small Group Communication

3355. Communication in Organizations

3358. Business and Professional Communication

3359. Interviewing

4304. Internship in COMS

4350. Special Topics/COC

Other Courses in Communication Studies

1300. Introduction to Communication Studies

3102. Forensic Activities

3105. Listening

3150. Parliamentary Procedure

3356. Leadership and Communication

4000. Independent Research

4314. Directing Speech and Debate Activities

For more information about the major in Communication Studies, contact: