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Communication and Media Major

Effective Fall 2024

Advising

Advising appointments are scheduled online at www.lsa.umich.edu/comm/. Students should schedule an advising appointment to discuss major requirements, progress in the major, the process for approval of study abroad or transfer credit, the senior thesis program, or to explore professionalization and potential graduate schools. 

Prospective majors can schedule a pre-major appointment with an advisor anytime, but no later than the second term of their sophomore year is strongly recommended. Most majors continue to see an advisor at least once a year. In any case, students must consult with a department advisor during the first term of their senior year to ensure that required courses will be completed for graduation.

Prerequisites

Two prerequisite courses (COMM 101 and COMM 102) must be completed with a grade of C- or higher in each course. Additional information can be found on the department website at www.lsa.umich.edu/comm/undergraduates.

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 28

At least 28 credits in Communication and Media. These must include the following:

Communication in Action:  One course that emphasizes engaging in the public sphere. Selections can include:

  • approved courses include COMM courses numbered COMM 350-399
  • the senior thesis seminar COMM 452/492
  • a course from an approved list (min 3 credits)

Additional Advanced Communication and Media Credits: 25 additional credits from courses numbered COMM 200-499 (not used to fulfill another requirement within the major). Selections must include:

  • At least two 400-level seminars for a minimum of 6 credits completed at the Department of Communication and Media; COMM 441 and 442 do not meet this requirement
  • No more than 3 credits of independent reading/research (COMM 322/441/442)

No more than 12 credits may come from COMM 200-level coursework. No more than 3 credits of independent study/research (COMM 322/441/442) can be used towards the major. 

Senior Thesis Program

Students accepted for the Senior Thesis Program take a year-long seminar during their senior year (COMM 451/491 and 452/492) while conducting research and writing a thesis. The program has two tracks: Seniors with a GPA which qualifies them to graduate with honors enroll in COMM 491 and 492; all other participating students enroll in COMM 451 and 452.  An enforced prerequisite for the Senior Thesis Program is completion of the LSA Quantitative Reasoning Requirement (in any department) with a grade of C or better.  COMM 451/491 may count towards the Additional Advanced Communication and Media requirement, and COMM 452/492 may fulfill the Communication in Action requirement.

Constraints

No more than 12 credits at 200-level in COMM coursework may be used to fulfill requirements.

Other Department Policies

Students are encouraged to attend a monthly information session prior to declaring a major.

Residency

The Communication in Action requirement and a minimum of 15 out of the 25 Additional Advanced Communication and Media credits must be taken on the Ann Arbor campus. The two seminars at 400-level must be taken on the Ann Arbor campus.

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the COMM subject area may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

A student accepted to the Senior Thesis Program may be eligible to graduate with Highest Honors, High Honors, or Honors. The Honors track requires a 3.5 major GPA by their final term of junior year and a 3.4 overall GPA. Application and formal admission by the Department are required.

  • Enforced prerequisite for admission to the Honors SubPlan: Completion of the LSA Quantitative Reasoning Requirement (in any department) with a grade of C or better.
  • Advisory prerequisites: COMM 221, COMM 222, STATS 250 or STATS 280 (honors) strongly recommended.
  • In addition to satisfying all regular requirements for the major, an Honors Plan must also include the Senior Thesis Seminars. COMM 492 is required for the Honors Degree.
  • Students may fulfill their Upper Level Writing Requirement by completing COMM 492.

Communication and Media (Major) (Winter 2023 - Summer 2024)

Effective Winter 2023

Advising

Advising appointments are only scheduled online at: www.lsa.umich.edu/comm/. Students should schedule an advising appointment on the online appointment system with an advisor to learn about major requirements, discuss progress in the major, discuss the process for approval for study abroad or transfer credit, or to complete Major Release Forms

Prospective majors can schedule a pre-major appointment with an advisor anytime, but no later than the second term of the sophomore year is strongly recommended. Most majors continue to see an advisor at least once a year. In any case, students must consult with the undergraduate program coordinator during the first term of their senior year to ensure that required courses will be completed for graduation.

Prerequisites

Two prerequisite courses (COMM 101 and COMM 102) must be completed prior to declaration. COMM 101 and 102 must be completed with a grade of C- or higher in each course. Additional information can be found on the department website at www.lsa.umich.edu/comm/undergraduates.

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 28

At least 29 (or 28 for students using the Senior Thesis Program seminar COMM 452/492 toward Communication and Media Upper Level Writing) credits in Communication and Media. These must include the following:

  1. Communication in Action:  One course that emphasizes engaging in the public sphere. Approved courses include COMM courses numbered COMM 350-399, the senior thesis seminar COMM 452/492, or a course from an approved list (3-4 credits).
  2. Communication and Media Capstone Seminar: One course from courses numbered COMM 450-499 or senior thesis seminar COMM 451/491 (3 credits). Only ONE capstone seminar may count toward the major.  
  3. Additional Advanced Communication and Media Credits: 22 additional credits from courses numbered COMM 200-449 (not used to fulfill another requirement within the major). No more than three credits of independent reading/research (COMM 322/441/442) can be used to meet this requirement.

No more than 12 credits may come from COMM 200-level coursework. No more than 3 credits of independent study/research (COMM 322/441/442) can be used towards the major. Only one capstone may be taken for credit and used towards the major. In order to ensure that majors can enroll in required courses, up to 75% of spaces in many 300- and 400-level Communication and Media courses are reserved for declared majors. All spaces in the capstone seminars are reserved for declared senior Communication and Media students.

Senior Thesis Program

Students accepted for the Senior Thesis Program take a year-long seminar during their senior year (COMM 451/491 and 452/492) while conducting research and writing a thesis. The program has two tracks: Seniors with a GPA which qualifies them to graduate with honors enroll in COMM 491 and 492; all other participating students enroll in 451 and 452.  An enforced prerequisite for the Senior Thesis Program is completion of the LSA Quantitative Reasoning Requirement (in any department) with a C grade or better.  COMM 451/491 may be counted towards the COMM Senior Capstone requirement and COMM 452/492 may fulfill the Communication in Action requirement.

Constraints

No more than 12 credits at 200 level in COMM coursework may be used to fulfill requirements.

Other Department Policies

Students are strongly encouraged to attend a monthly information session prior to declaring a major.

The official grades of all prerequisite courses must be recorded on the students transcript before the student can declare the major.

Residency

A minimum of 12 out of the 22 Additional Advanced Communication and Media Credits must be taken on the Ann Arbor campus.  All other required courses must be taken on the Ann Arbor campus.

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the COMM subject area may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

A student accepted to the Senior Thesis Program may be eligible to graduate with Highest Honors, High Honors, or Honors. The Honors track requires a 3.5 major GPA by their final term of junior year and a 3.4 overall GPA. Application and formal admission by the Department are required.

  • Enforced prerequisite for admission to the Honors SubPlan: Completion of the LSA Quantitative Reasoning Requirement (in any department) with a C grade or better.
  • Advisory prerequisites: COMM 221, COMM 222, STATS 250 or STATS 280 (honors) strongly recommended.
  • In addition to satisfying all regular requirements for the major, an Honors Plan must also include the Senior Thesis Seminars. COMM 492 is required for the Honors Degree.
  • Students may fulfill their Upper Level Writing Requirement by completing COMM 492.

Communication and Media (Major) (Fall 2022)

Effective Fall 2022

Advising

Advising appointments are only scheduled online at: www.lsa.umich.edu/comm/. Students should schedule an advising appointment on the online appointment system with an advisor to learn about major requirements, discuss progress in the major, discuss the process for approval for study abroad or transfer credit, or to complete Major Release Forms

Prospective majors can schedule a pre-major appointment with an advisor anytime, but no later than the second term of the sophomore year is strongly recommended. Most majors continue to see an advisor at least once a year. In any case, students must consult with the undergraduate program coordinator during the first term of their senior year to ensure that required courses will be completed for graduation.

Prerequisites

Two prerequisite courses (COMM 101 and COMM 102) must be completed prior to declaration. COMM 101 and 102 must be completed with a grade of C- or higher in each course. Additional information can be found on the department website at www.lsa.umich.edu/comm/undergraduates.

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 28

At least 29 (or 28 for students using the Senior Thesis Program seminar COMM 452/492 toward Communication and Media Upper Level Writing) credits in Communication and Media. These must include the following:

  1. Communication and Media Upper-Level Writing:  One course from courses numbered COMM 350-399 or COMM 452/492.
  2. Communication and Media Capstone Seminar: One course from courses numbered COMM 450-499 (3 credits). Students may choose to take a capstone seminar or senior thesis course* to fulfill this requirement.  Only ONE capstone seminar may count toward the major.  
  3. Additional Advanced Communication and Media Credits: 22 additional credits from courses numbered COMM 200-449 (not included in 1. and 2. above).  No more than one of COMM 290, 291, 292 may count toward the 28 credits in the major. No more than three credits of independent reading/research (COMM 322/441/442) can be used to meet this requirement.

In order to ensure that majors can enroll in required courses, up to 75% of spaces in many 300- and 400-level Communication and Media courses are reserved for declared majors. All spaces in the Capstone seminars are reserved for declared senior Communication and Media students.

Senior Thesis Program

Students accepted for the Senior Thesis Program take a year-long seminar during their senior year (COMM 451/491 and 452/492) while conducting research and writing a thesis. The program has two tracks: Seniors with a GPA which qualifies them to graduate with honors enroll in COMM 491 and 492, all other participating students enroll in 451 and 452.  Enforced prerequisite for the Senior Thesis Program is completion of the LSA quantitative reasoning requirement (in any department) with a C grade or better.  COMM 451/491 may be counted towards the COMM Senior Capstone requirement and COMM 452/492 may fulfill the Communication and Media Upper Level Writing requirement.

Constraints

No more than 8 credits may come from COMM 200-289.

Other Department Policies

Students are strongly encouraged to attend a monthly information session prior to declaring a major.

Students cannot declare by email, phone, or fax. Additionally, the official grades of all prerequisite courses must be recorded on the students transcript before the student can declare the major.

Residency

A minimum of 12 out of the 22 Additional Advanced Communication and Media Credits must be taken on the Ann Arbor campus.  All other required courses must be taken on the Ann Arbor campus.

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the COMM subject area may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

A student accepted to the Senior Thesis Program may be eligible to graduate with Highest Honors, High Honors, or Honors. The Honors track requires a 3.5 major GPA by their final term of junior year and a 3.4 overall GPA. Application and formal admission by the Department are required.

  • Enforced prerequisite for admission to the Honors SubPlan: Completion of the LSA quantitative reasoning requirement (in any department) with a C grade or better.
  • Advisory prerequisites: COMM 221, COMM 222, STATS 250 or STATS 280 (honors) strongly recommended.
  • Students should contact the department's Honors advisor as early as possible for curricular planning, but applications for the Honors Major are required by March 15 of the student's junior year.
  • In addition to satisfying all regular requirements for the major, an Honors Plan must also include the Senior Thesis Seminars. COMM 492 is required for the Honors Degree.
  • Students may fulfill their Upper Level Writing Requirement by completing COMM 492.

Communication and Media (Major) (Fall 2020 - Summer 2022)

Effective Fall 2020

Advising

Advising appointments are only scheduled online at: www.lsa.umich.edu/comm/. Students should schedule an advising appointment on the online appointment system with an advisor to learn about major requirements, discuss progress in the major, discuss the process for approval for study abroad or transfer credit, or to complete Major Release Forms

Prospective majors can schedule a pre-major appointment with an advisor anytime, but no later than the second term of the sophomore year is strongly recommended. Most majors continue to see an advisor at least once a year. In any case, students must consult with the undergraduate program coordinator during the first term of their senior year to ensure that required courses will be completed for graduation.

Prerequisites

Two prerequisite courses (COMM 101 and COMM 102) must be completed prior to declaration. COMM 101 and 102 must be completed with a grade of C or higher in each course. Additional information can be found on the department website at www.lsa.umich.edu/comm/undergraduates.

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 28

At least 29 (or 28 for students using the Senior Thesis Program seminar COMM 452/492 toward Communication and Media Upper Level Writing) credits in Communication and Media. These must include the following:

  1. Communication and Media Upper-Level Writing:  One course from courses numbered COMM 350-399 or COMM 452/492.
  2. Communication and Media Capstone Seminar: One course from courses numbered COMM 450-499 (3 credits). Students may choose to take a capstone seminar or senior thesis course* to fulfill this requirement.  Only ONE capstone seminar may count toward the major.  
  3. Additional Advanced Communication and Media Credits: 22 additional credits from courses numbered COMM 200-449 (not included in 1. and 2. above).  No more than one of COMM 290, 291, 292 may count toward the 28 credits in the major. No more than three credits of independent reading/research (COMM 322/441/442) can be used to meet this requirement.

In order to ensure that majors can enroll in required courses, up to 75% of spaces in many 300- and 400-level Communication and Media courses are reserved for declared majors. All spaces in the Capstone seminars are reserved for declared senior Communication and Media students.

Senior Thesis Program

Students accepted for the Senior Thesis Program take a year-long seminar during their senior year (COMM 451/491 and 452/492) while conducting research and writing a thesis. The program has two tracks: Seniors with a GPA which qualifies them to graduate with honors enroll in COMM 491 and 492, all other participating students enroll in 451 and 452.  Enforced prerequisite for the Senior Thesis Program is completion of the LSA quantitative reasoning requirement (in any department) with a C grade or better.  COMM 451/491 may be counted towards the COMM Senior Capstone requirement and COMM 452/492 may fulfill the Communication and Media Upper Level Writing requirement.

Constraints

No more than 8 credits may come from COMM 200-289.

Other Department Policies

Students are strongly encouraged to attend a monthly information session prior to declaring a major.

Students cannot declare by email, phone, or fax. Additionally, the official grades of all prerequisite courses must be recorded on the students transcript before the student can declare the major.

Residency

A minimum of 12 out of the 22 Additional Advanced Communication and Media Credits must be taken on the Ann Arbor campus.  All other required courses must be taken on the Ann Arbor campus.

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the COMM subject area may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

A student accepted to the Senior Thesis Program may be eligible to graduate with Highest Honors, High Honors, or Honors. The Honors track requires a 3.5 major GPA by their final term of junior year and a 3.4 overall GPA. Application and formal admission by the Department are required.

  • Enforced prerequisite for admission to the Honors SubPlan: Completion of the LSA quantitative reasoning requirement (in any department) with a C grade or better.
  • Advisory prerequisites: COMM 221, COMM 222, STATS 250 or STATS 280 (honors) strongly recommended.
  • Students should contact the department's Honors advisor as early as possible for curricular planning, but applications for the Honors Major are required by March 15 of the student's junior year.
  • In addition to satisfying all regular requirements for the major, an Honors Plan must also include the Senior Thesis Seminars. COMM 492 is required for the Honors Degree.
  • Students may fulfill their Upper Level Writing Requirement by completing COMM 492.

Communication and Media (Major) (Summer 2019 - Summer 2020)

Effective Summer 2019

Advising

Advising appointments are only scheduled online at: www.lsa.umich.edu/comm/. Students should schedule an advising appointment on the online appointment system with an advisor to learn about major requirements, discuss progress in the major, discuss the process for approval for study abroad or transfer credit, or to complete Major Release Forms

Prospective majors can schedule a pre-major appointment with an advisor anytime, but no later than the second term of the sophomore year is strongly recommended. Most majors continue to see an advisor at least once a year. In any case, students must consult with the undergraduate program coordinator during the first term of their senior year to ensure that required courses will be completed for graduation.

Prerequisites

Two prerequisite courses (COMM 101 and COMM 102) must be completed prior to declaration. COMM 101 and 102 must be completed with a grade of C or higher in each course. Students must declare no later than second semester junior year. Additional information can be found on the department website at www.lsa.umich.edu/comm/undergraduates.

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 28

At least 29 (or 28 for students using the Senior Thesis Program seminar COMM 452/492 toward Communication and Media Upper Level Writing) credits in Communication and Media. These must include the following:

  1. Communication and Media Upper-Level Writing:  One course from courses numbered COMM 350-399 or COMM 452/492.
  2. Communication and Media Capstone Seminar: One course from courses numbered COMM 450-499 (3 credits). Students may choose to take a capstone seminar or senior thesis course* to fulfill this requirement.  Only ONE capstone seminar may count toward the major.  
  3. Additional Advanced Communication and Media Credits: 22 additional credits from courses numbered COMM 200-449 (not included in 1. and 2. above).  NO more than 8 credits may come from 200-level courses.  Undergraduate internship (COMM 321) may not be included in this requirement, and no more than three credits of independent reading/research (COMM 322/441/442) can be used to meet this requirement.

In order to ensure that majors can enroll in required courses, up to 75% of spaces in many 300- and 400-level Communication and Media courses are reserved for declared majors. All spaces in the Capstone seminars are reserved for declared senior Communication and Media students.

Senior Thesis Program

Students accepted for the Senior Thesis Program take a year-long seminar during their senior year (COMM 451/491 and 452/492) while conducting research and writing a thesis. The program has two tracks: Seniors with a GPA which qualifies them to graduate with honors enroll in COMM 491 and 492, all other participating students enroll in 451 and 452.  Enforced prerequisite for the Senior Thesis Program is completion of the LSA quantitative reasoning requirement (in any department) with a C grade or better.  COMM 451/491 may be counted towards the COMM Senior Capstone requirement and COMM 452/492 may fulfill the Communication and Media Upper Level Writing requirement.

Other Department Policies

Students are strongly encouraged to attend a monthly information session prior to declaring a major.

Students cannot declare by email, phone, or fax. Additionally, the official grades of all prerequisite courses must be recorded on the students transcript before the student can declare the major.

Residency

A minimum of 12 out of the 22 Additional Advanced Communication and Media Credits must be taken on the Ann Arbor campus.  All other prerequisite and required courses must be taken on the Ann Arbor campus.

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the COMM subject area may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

A student accepted to the Senior Thesis Program may be eligible to graduate with Highest Honors, High Honors, or Honors. The Honors track requires a 3.5 major GPA by their final term of junior year and a 3.4 overall GPA. Application and formal admission by the Department are required.

  • Enforced prerequisite for admission to the Honor Plan: Completion of the LSA quantitative reasoning requirement (in any department) with a C grade or better.
  • Advisory prerequisites: COMM 221, COMM 222, STATS 250 or STATS 280 (honors) strongly recommended.
  • Students should contact the department's Honors advisor as early as possible for curricular planning, but applications for the Honors Major are required by March 15 of the student's junior year.
  • In addition to satisfying all regular requirements for the major, an Honors Plan must also include the Senior Thesis Seminars. COMM 492 is required for the Honors Degree.
  • Students may fulfill their Upper Level Writing Requirement by completing COMM 492.

Communication Studies and Media (Major) (Winter 2019 - Spring/Summer 2019)

Effective Winter 2019

Advising

Advising appointments are only scheduled online at: www.lsa.umich.edu/comm/. Students should schedule an advising appointment on the online appointment system with an advisor to learn about major requirements, discuss progress in the major, discuss the process for approval for study abroad or transfer credit, or to complete Major Release Forms

Prospective majors can schedule a pre-major appointment with an advisor anytime, but no later than the second term of the sophomore year is strongly recommended. Most majors continue to see an advisor at least once a year. In any case, students must consult with the undergraduate program coordinator during the first term of their senior year to ensure that required courses will be completed for graduation.

Prerequisites

Two prerequisite courses (COMM 101 and COMM 102) must be completed prior to declaration. COMM 101 and 102 must be completed with a grade of C or higher in each course. Students must declare no later than second semester junior year. Additional information can be found on the department website at www.lsa.umich.edu/comm/undergraduates.

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 28

At least 29 (or 28 for students using the Senior Thesis Program seminar COMM 452/492 toward Communication Studies Upper Level Writing) credits in Communication Studies and Media. These must include the following:

  1. Communication Studies and Media Upper-Level Writing:  One course from courses numbered COMM 350-399 or COMM 452/492.
  2. Communication Studies and Media Capstone Seminar: One course from courses numbered COMM 450-499 (3 credits). Students may choose to take a capstone seminar or senior thesis course* to fulfill this requirement.  Only ONE capstone seminar may count toward the major.  
  3. Additional Advanced Communication Studies and Media Credits: 22 additional credits from courses numbered COMM 200-449 (not included in 1. and 2. above).  NO more than 8 credits may come from 200-level courses.  Undergraduate internship (COMM 321) may not be included in this requirement, and no more than three credits of independent reading/research (COMM 322/441/442) can be used to meet this requirement.

In order to ensure that majors can enroll in required courses, up to 75% of spaces in many 300- and 400-level Communication Studies and Media courses are reserved for declared majors. All spaces in the Capstone seminars are reserved for declared senior Communication Studies and Media students.

Senior Thesis Program

Students accepted for the Senior Thesis Program take a year-long seminar during their senior year (COMM 451/491 and 452/492) while conducting research and writing a thesis. The program has two tracks: Seniors with a GPA which qualifies them to graduate with honors enroll in COMM 491 and 492, all other participating students enroll in 451 and 452.  Enforced prerequisite for the Senior Thesis Program is completion of the LSA quantitative reasoning requirement (in any department) with a C grade or better.  COMM 451/491 may be counted towards the COMM Senior Capstone requirement and COMM 452/492 may fulfill the Communication Studies and Media Upper Level Writing requirement.

Other Department Policies

Students are strongly encouraged to attend a monthly information session prior to declaring a major.

Students cannot declare by email, phone, or fax. Additionally, the official grades of all prerequisite courses must be recorded on the students transcript before the student can declare the major.

Residency

A minimum of 12 out of the 22 Additional Advanced Communication Studies and Media Credits must be taken on the Ann Arbor campus.  All other prerequisite and required courses must be taken on the Ann Arbor campus.

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the COMM subject area may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

A student accepted to the Senior Thesis Program may be eligible to graduate with Highest Honors, High Honors, or Honors. The Honors track requires a 3.5 major GPA by their final term of junior year and a 3.4 overall GPA. Application and formal admission by the Department are required.

  • Enforced prerequisite for admission to the Honor Plan: Completion of the LSA quantitative reasoning requirement (in any department) with a C grade or better.
  • Advisory prerequisites: COMM 221, COMM 222, STATS 250 or STATS 280 (honors) strongly recommended.
  • Students should contact the department's Honors advisor as early as possible for curricular planning, but applications for the Honors Major are required by March 15 of the student's junior year.
  • In addition to satisfying all regular requirements for the major, an Honors Plan must also include the Senior Thesis Seminars. COMM 492 is required for the Honors Degree.
  • Students may fulfill their Upper Level Writing Requirement by completing COMM 492.

Communication Studies (Major) (Fall 2018)

Effective Fall 2018

Advising

Advising appointments are only scheduled online at: www.lsa.umich.edu/comm/. Students should schedule an advising appointment on the online appointment system with an advisor to learn abaout major requirements, discuss progress in the major, discuss the process for approval for study abroad or transfer credit, or to complete Major Release Forms

Prospective majors can schedule a pre-major appointment with an advisor anytime, but no later than the second term of the sophomore year is strongly recommended. Most majors continue to see an advisor at least once a year. In any case, students must consult with the undergraduate program coordinator during the first term of their senior year to ensure that required courses will be completed for graduation.

Prerequisites

Two prerequisite courses (COMM 101 and COMM 102) must be completed prior to declaration. COMM 101 and 102 must be completed with a grade of C or higher in each course. Students must declare no later than second semester junior year. Additional information can be found on the department website at www.lsa.umich.edu/comm/undergraduates.

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 29

At least 29 credits in Communication Studies. These must include the following:

  1. Communication Studies Upper-Level Writing:  One course from courses numbered COMM 350-399 (4 credits).
  2. Communication Studies Capstone Seminar: One course from courses numbered COMM 450-499 (3 credits). Students may choose to take a capstone seminar or senior thesis course* to fulfill this requirement.  Only ONE capstone seminar may count toward the major.  
  3. Additional Advanced Communication Studies Credits: 22 additional credits from courses numbered COMM 200-449 (not included in 1. and 2. above).  NO more than 8 credits may come from 200-level courses.  Undergraduate internship (COMM 321) may not be included in this requirement, and no more than three credits of independent reading/research (COMM 322/441/442) can be used to meet this requirement.

In order to ensure that majors can enroll in required courses, up to 75% of spaces in many 300- and 400-level Communication Studies courses are reserved for declared majors. All spaces in the Capstone seminars are reserved for declared senior Communication Studies students.

*Students accepted for the non-honors thesis option take a year-long seminar during the senior year (COMM 451 and 452) while conducting research and writing a thesis. Enforced prerequisite for the non-honors thesis option is completion of the LSA quantitative reasoning requirement (in any department) with a C grade or better.  Students may fulfill their ULWR requirement by completing COMM 452.

Other Department Policies

An "in-person" declaration briefing is required for students to declare a Communication Studies major. Students cannot declare by email, phone, or fax. 

Additionally, the official grades of all prerequisite courses must be recorded on the student’s transcript before the student can declare the major.

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the COMM subject area may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

Qualified students are encouraged to pursue an Honors Major. The Honors Major in Communication Studies is available in the senior year to students with a grade point average by their final term of junior year of 3.5 in Communication Studies courses and 3.4 overall. Application and formal admission by the Department are required.

  • Enforced prerequisite for admission to the Honor Major: Completion of the LSA quantitative reasoning requirement (in any department) with a C grade or better.
  • Advisory prerequisites: COMM 221, COMM 222, STATS 250 or STATS 280 (honors) strongly recommended.
  • Qualified students should contact the department's Honors advisor as early as possible for curricular planning, but applications for the Honors Major are required by March 15 of the student's junior year.
  • In addition to satisfying all regular requirements for the major, an Honors Major must also include the Senior Honors Seminars: COMM 491 and 492, a two-term seminar sequence involving the design and completion of an Honors thesis.
  • Students may fulfill their ULWR requirement by completing COMM 492.
  • COMM 491 may be counted toward the Senior Capstone requirement for the major.

Communication Studies (Major) (Fall 2017 - Summer 2018)

Effective Fall 2017

Advising

Advising appointments are only scheduled online at: www.lsa.umich.edu/comm/. Students should schedule an advising appointment on the online appointment system with an advisor to learn abaout major requirements, discuss progress in the major, discuss the process for approval for study abroad or transfer credit, or to complete Major Release Forms

Prospective majors can schedule a pre-major appointment with an advisor anytime, but no later than the second term of the sophomore year is strongly recommended. Most majors continue to see an advisor at least once a year. In any case, students must consult with the undergraduate program coordinator during the first term of their senior year to ensure that required courses will be completed for graduation.

Prerequisites

Two prerequisite courses (COMM 101 and COMM 102) must be completed prior to declaration. COMM 101 and 102 must be completed with a grade of C or higher in each course. Students must declare no later than second semester junior year. Additional information can be found on the department website at www.lsa.umich.edu/comm/undergraduates.

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 29

At least 29 credits in Communication Studies. These must include the following:

  1. Communication Studies Upper-Level Writing:  One course from courses numbered COMM 350-399 (4 credits).
  2. Communication Studies Capstone Seminar: One course from courses numbered COMM 450-499 (3 credits)  Only ONE capstone seminar may count toward the major.
  3. Additional Advanced Communication Studies Credits: 22 additional credits from courses numbered COMM 200-449 (not included in 1. and 2. above).  NO more than 8 credits may come from 200-level courses.  Undergraduate internship (COMM 321) may not be included in this requirement, and no more than three credits of independent reading/research (COMM 322/441/442) and three credits of Honors seminar courses (COMM 491/492) can be used to meet this requirement.

In order to ensure that majors can enroll in required courses, up to 75% of spaces in many 300- and 400-level Communication Studies courses are reserved for declared majors. All spaces in the Capstone seminars are reserved for declared senior Communication Studies students.

Other Department Policies

An "in-person" declaration briefing is required for students to declare a Communication Studies major. Students cannot declare by email, phone, or fax. 

Additionally, the official grades of all prerequisite courses must be recorded on the student’s transcript before the student can declare the major.

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the COMM subject area may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

Qualified students are encouraged to undertake an Honors plan. The Honors Program in Communication Studies is available in the senior year to students with a grade point average by their final term of junior year of 3.5 in Communication Studies courses and 3.4 overall. Application and formal admission by the Department are required. Qualified students should contact the department's Honors advisor as early as possible for curricular planning, but applications for the Honors major are required by March 1 of the student's junior year. In addition to satisfying all regular requirements for the major, an Honors major must also include the Senior Honors Seminars: COMM 491 and 492, a two-term seminar sequence involving the design and completion of an Honors thesis.  COMM 491 may be counted toward the Senior Capstone requirement for the major.