The Department of Communication offers a Communication major and minor, as well as an interdisciplinary major in
Integrative Public Relations, which is offered in conjunction with other departments.
The wide range of available COM courses offers students a strong and diverse background in communication skills, research and theory. Students who are seeking other majors and minors find that courses such as public speaking, small group communication, interpersonal communication and research writing help them build a solid communication foundation. Courses in areas such as conflict, family communication, classroom communication and interviewing help students prepare for a range of communication experiences.
The COM area includes 12 full-time faculty members with diverse academic backgrounds. Their research interests include presidential debates, teaching effectiveness, training and development, gender communication and communication messages within family systems, to name only a few.
Below are information and links to details about required courses, course descriptions, and transferring credits toward one of our programs.
Communication Major, B.A.; B.A.A.; B.S.
B.A. degree;
B.S. degree;
B.A.A. degree
Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards
Any student in good academic standing at CMU may declare a major in Communication. Every student intending to major in Communication must meet with an advisor to specify the course of study.
A minimum 2.0 GPA (C) must be earned in the major. A minimum grade of C must be earned in COM 251 and COM 301WI. Students must achieve a C or better to count COM 401 toward the COM major and satisfy requirements for graduation.
Program Requirements
Required Courses (19 hours)
| COM 100 | Communication and Society | 1(1-0) |
| COM 251 | Foundations of Communication Theory | 3(3-0) |
| COM 301WI | Survey of Research in Communication | 3(3-0) |
| COM 353 | Small Group Communication | 3(3-0) |
| COM 357 | Public Speaking | 3(3-0) |
| COM 361 | Interpersonal Communication | 3(3-0) |
| COM 401 | Capstone in Communication | 3(3-0) |
Electives (21 hours)
Select additional hours of COM courses; at least 9 credit hours must be taken at the 400- or 500-level with at least 3 credit hours at the 500-level. No more than 6 hours total from COM 464, COM 490, and COM 495 may count toward the major.
Total: 40 semester hours
Health Communication Minor
This minor is designed to create a comprehensive program of Communication study as it applies to various forms of health-related professions. A minor in Health Communication should enhance educational and career goals for students who wish to major in a health-related field by building the skills needed to communicate effectively in a broad range of health-related contexts.Admission Requirements, Retention and Termination Standards
Any undergraduate student admitted to CMU may apply, except Communication majors. A grade of C (2.0) or better in the minor is required for graduation.
Program Requirements
Required Courses (10 hours)
| COM 369 | Health Communication | 3(3-0) |
| COM 464 | Communication Internship | 1-6(Spec) |
| COM 490 | Independent Study | 1-4(Spec) |
| COM 563 | Health Communication Campaigns | 3(3-0) |
| HSC 317 | Community Health | 3(3-0) |
Electives I (6-9 hours)
Select from the following in consultation with a COM advisor. At least three of these hours must be at the 400 or 500 level:
| COM 195 | Intercultural Communication | 3(3-0) |
| COM 264 | Organizational Communication | 3(3-0) |
| COM 267 | Introduction to Debate | 3(3-0) |
| COM 353 | Small Group Communication | 3(3-0) |
| COM 357 | Public Speaking | 3(3-0) |
| COM 361 | Interpersonal Communication | 3(3-0) |
| COM 363 | Principles and Types of Interviewing | 3(3-0) |
| COM 365 | Persuasion and Social Influence | 3(3-0) |
| COM 367 | Nonverbal Communication | 3(3-0) |
| COM 461 | Communication in Leadership | 3(3-0) |
| COM 560 | Communication and Social/Organizational Change | 3(3-0) |
| COM 561 | Communication in Conflict Management | 3(3-0) |
| COM 562 | Family Communication | 3(3-0) |
Note: Some of these courses have pre-requisites for COM majors/minors. The prerequisites may be waived in consultation with an advisor.
Note: You may count only one of COM 264 or COM 353, COM 267 or COM 357, COM 560 or COM 561.
Electives II (3-6 hours)
Select from the following in consultation with a COM advisor:
| HSC 319 | Methods and Materials in Community Health Education | 3(3-0) |
| HSC 323 | Community Organization Methods | 3(3-0) |
| HSC 404 | Epidemiology | 3(3-0) |
| HSC 526 | Behavioral Health | 3(3-0) |
Total: 22 semester hours
Communication Minor, B.A.; B.A.A.; B.S.; B.S. in B.A.
Program Requirements
Required Courses (16 hours)
COM 100
| Communication and Society | 1(1-0) |
| COM 251 | Foundations of Communication Theory | 3(3-0) |
| COM 301WI | Survey of Research in Communication | 3(3-0) |
| COM 353 | Small Group Communication | 3(3-0) |
| COM 357 | Public Speaking | 3(3-0) |
| COM 361 | Interpersonal Communication | 3(3-0) |
Electives (9 hours)
Select additional hours of COM, at least 6 of which must be at the 400 or 500 level. (No more than 6 hours from COM 464, COM 490, and COM 495 can be counted toward the minor.)
Total: 25 semester hours
Additional Resources
Below are links to additional resources and information:
For additional information
Please visit our department office at Moore 333 or call 989-774-3177. Students who are new to CMU may also wish to communicate with the Undergraduate Admissions Office at (989) 774-3076, or by e-mail at
cmuadmit@cmich.edu, for general questions, visit arrangements and enrollment information.
Disclaimer: The information above was taken from the CMU bulletin for the 2019 - 2020 academic year. Each university bulletin covers a 12-month period, July 1 through June 30. Courses, majors, minors, programs, and degrees in this Bulletin are subject to change without notice and may not be available in future bulletins. Every effort has been made to include accurate information in the website. However, the contents of this website are not to be regarded as an irrevocable contract between students and CMU. The university reserves the right to change at any time and without prior notice any provision or requirement, included, but not limited to, policies, procedures, changes, academic programs, and calendar.