Human communication is inevitable. Relationships, family units, businesses, public presentations, and media forms all rely on and are defined by their unique systems of communication.
Opportunities to study communication range from social science – the academic study of the symbols and codes that societies use to exchange ideas, meaning, and social structure – all the way to applied art; using technology to encode ideas in mass mediums (television, film, radio, print, and internet). Our approach to the study and practice of human communication is rooted in the belief that enhancement of the human condition is a distinctively humanistic act—one in which all mankind should participate.
The Bachelor of Arts in Communication features specialized concentrations in Interpersonal Communication, Broadcast Media, or Strategic Communication. The Communication program also prepares those seeking teacher certification (secondary level). Journalism courses may be applied to the non-teacher certification major or minor. The program also offers graduate courses that can serve students pursuing a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts or a Master of Education with a concentration in Communication.
In the Interpersonal Communication concentration, students survey areas of human communication study, including Family Communication, Business and Professional Communication, Relational Communication, and Critical Reasoning. Undergraduate research opportunities are encouraged and available to Communication majors in all three concentrations, both through the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium and the McNair Scholars Program. This concentration prepares students for a broad range of careers, including research positions, teaching, media analysis, corporate strategy, and the legal field.
In the Broadcast Media concentration, students learn to use current technology and equipment from instructors with professional, real-world experience in the media industry. With a both national park and the largest state park in the Texas nearby, miles and miles of natural beauty, the Marfa art scene, an international border, and hundreds of years of west Texas history all within an hour’s drive of campus, a nearly infinite number of stories are just waiting for filmmakers to tell them. Our small class sizes ensure students are hands-on with cameras, sound recording equipment, editing software, and all the other tools of filmmaking from day one. Come learn how to make fiction and documentary films and radio programming with the same equipment working professionals are using in the field. Internships with local radio stations and local productions are possible, too.
The Strategic Communication concentration prepares students for careers in Public Relations, Media Management, Communication Strategy, Advertising, Sales, Event Planning, and Political Advocacy. Strategic Communication majors take courses in Public Relations, Digital Communication, Writing for Digital Media, and more. Strategic Communication majors are also encouraged to apply for positions with the Skyline, Sul Ross’ student-run media organization.
A minor in Communication is available and requires 18 semester credit hours of coursework that includes 1311, 2333, 1320; 3304 or 4301 plus additional 6 semester credit hours.
The minor in Professional Communication and Design offers a focus on the elements of communication in today’s professional world. It is supported by the Department of Fine Arts and Communication and the Department of Languages and Literature. The minor’s cross-curricular focus encourages students to focus on elements of communication and design as a particular support to a variety of majors including English with a Writing Concentration, Business, Agriculture, the Sciences, etc. This minor course of study prepares students to enter the professional arena by developing highly valued skill-sets in professional communication through coursework and practical experiences so they become well-versed in and prepared for the digital and rhetorical age. The minor supports various major fields of study by training students with communication-based marketable skills in their chosen areas. The minor encourages students to complete their degrees with a body of work, writing samples, and skill sets, which would prove foundational resume builders for the work place.
The minor in Communication and Design requires 18 semester credit hours that includes six hours of advanced coursework. Academic advisors consider the student’s major and aspirations and work with each student to design the appropriate curricular choices.
Students who would like a Journalism minor will complete 18 sch in Journalism 2311 and 3301 plus 12 additional semester credit hours with at least 3 advanced, selected from Journalism, IT 2304, or COMM 2308.
Program Coordinator
Dr. Joey Velasco
432.837.8370
jvelasco@sulross.edu
Welcome to an exciting new chapter in your education! A Bachelor of Arts in Communication prepares you for much more than just a career. As you progress towards your degree, you’ll learn how to collaborate with a creative team, communicate with the public, pursue scholarly research, plan and execute marketing strategies, produce live events and films, and you’ll begin to master the technology of communication – cameras, recording equipment, broadcast equipment, editing software, and radio gear. And that’s only the beginning of the list. There’s so much more!
The BA in Communication has three primary concentrations:
- Interpersonal Communication
- Mass Communication
- Strategic Communication
Each of these degrees has some classes in common; for example, all majors are required to take Small Group Communication. Each degree also has classes that are specific to the concentration. For example, only Mass Communication students are required to take Basic Video Production (but others may take it as an elective). All Communication majors must select a minor area of study. Meeting with your degree advisor is recommended to help in selecting a minor that will support your goals for graduate education or your career path.
The BA program is both rewarding and challenging. You’ll have opportunities to explore all areas of the communication field, from qualitative and quantitative research to public relations to journalism to radio, television, and even documentary. This is your chance to discover what area of study best suits you and your career aspirations. The time commitment can substantial. You’ll be working on research projects, films, and presentations over nights and weekends. But the people you’ll meet and collaborate with – both fellow students and faculty – share your interests and passion for discovery and explaining the world around us. This is a program where you’ll develop working relationships that will last for the rest of your career.
A partial list of careers you might pursue with a BA in Communication includes (but is not limited to!):
- Researcher
- Scholar
- Journalist
- Photojournalist
- Public Relations
- Event Coordinator
- Health Educator
- Media Planner
- Pollster
- Speechwriter
- Social Media Manager
- Sales Representative
- Brand Manager
- Human Resources Specialist
- Television Anchor
- Radio/TV Station Manager
- DJ/Radio Announcer
- Writer
- Director
- Producer
- Sound Board Operator
- Marketing and Group Sales Manager
- Screenwriter
- Film Editor
- Sound Editor
- Cinematographer
- Sound Recordist
- Camera Operator
- DIT – Digital Imaging Technician
- Post-Production Mixer
- Post-Production Supervisor
- Production Coordinator
- Line Producer
- Location Coordinator
And this is just a partial list. Wonder which of these careers might be for you? Call today and ask to speak with a Communication program advisor.
| Marjorie Scott, M.F.A., SAG Assistant Professor of Theatre and Communication Chair, Dept. of Fine Arts and Communication FAB 106 C-43 432.837.8039 mscott3@sulross.edu |
Joseph Velasco, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Communication Interpersonal Communication FAB 206B C-43 432.837.8370 jvelasco@sulross.edu |
| Bret Scott, M.F.A. Associate Professor of Communication Film Production FAB 208 C-43 432.837.8794 bscott@sulross.edu |
“Thanks to the skills I learned at Sul Ross, I’m now a working professional in the industry in NYC. I just finished six weeks on a Netflix series and I’m off to Washington state as a production coordinator on a Discovery Channel series next week.” – Natalie Davis, class of 2018
“The opportunity I got at Sul Ross to try new things, maybe a little out of my comfort zone, gave me the confidence to go on to grad school in Journalism at Columbia. Now I’m working as a documentary filmmaker and my first feature is coming out in a month.” – Natalie Patillo, class of 2016
“So much more goes into to one night’s newscast than I ever knew. I know I’ll find a way to take that knowledge, and everything else I got from my communication major and criminal justice minor to make a change in the world.” – Andrew DeLeon, Class of 2021
Degree Plans
B.A., Communication: Broadcast Media (Minor Required)
Since many communication courses are offered every other year, schedule adjustments may be necessary.
Freshman Year
Semester I
Semester II
COMM 1311
3 credit hours
COMM 1325
3 credit hours
ENG 1301
3 credit hours
ENG 1302
3 credit hours
HIST 1301
3 credit hours
HIST 1302
3 credit hours
SPAN 1411
4 credit hours
SPAN 1412
4 credit hours
THEA 1310
3 credit hours
COMM 2306/2307
3 credit hour
First Year Seminar
1 credit hour
_
_
Total: 17 sch
Total: 16 sch
Sophomore Year
Semester I
Semester II
COMM 2307/2306
3 credit hours
COMM 2333
3 credit hours
ENG 2300+
3 credit hours
COMM 2308
3 credit hours
PS 2305
3 credit hours
PS 2306
3 credit hours
MATH Core Req
3 credit hours
Life & Physical Science + Lab
4 credit hours
THEA 1310*
3 credit hours*
COMM 2335
3 credit hours
Total: 12-15 sch
Total: 16 sch
* if not already taken
Junior Year
Semester I
Semester II
COMM 3304/4301
3 credit hours
COMM 3308
3 credit hours
COMM 3305
3 credit hours
JOUR 2301/ ENG 2304
3 credit hours
Life & Physical Science + Lab
4 credit hours
Minor Coursework
3 credit hours
Social & Behavioral Core Req
3 credit hours
Minor Coursework
3 credit hours
Minor Coursework
3 credit hours
Minor Coursework
3 credit hours
Total: 16 sch
Total: 15 sch
Senior Year
Semester I
Semester II
COMM 3307
3 credit hours
COMM 3313
3 credit hours
COMM 3311/4307
3 credit hours
COMM 4310
3 credit hours
Minor Coursework 3000+
3 credit hours
Minor Coursework 3000+
3 credit hours
Electives 2000+
3 credit hours
Electives 2000+
4 credit hours
Electives 2000+
3 credit hours
_
_
Total: 15 sch
Total: 13 sch
Total Credit Hours Required for Bachelor of Arts in Communication: 120
B.A., Communication: Interpersonal Communication (Minor Required)
Since many communication courses are offered every other year, schedule adjustments may be necessary.
Freshman Year
Semester I
Semester II
COMM 1311
3 credit hours
COMM 1335
3 credit hours
ENG 1301
3 credit hours
ENG 1302
3 credit hours
HIST 1301
3 credit hours
HIST 1302
3 credit hours
SPAN 1411
4 credit hours
SPAN 1412
4 credit hours
THEA 1310
3 credit hours
COMM 1318
3 credit hours
First Year Seminar
1 credit hour
_
_
Total: 17 sch
Total: 16 sch
Sophomore Year
Semester I
Semester II
COMM 2333
3 credit hours
COMM 2307/2306
3 credit hours
ENG 2300+
3 credit hours
COMM 2309
3 credit hours
PS 2305
3 credit hours
PS 2306
3 credit hours
MATH 1314
3 credit hours
Life & Physical Science + Lab
4 credit hours
COMM 2335
3 credit hours
ENG 2300+
3 credit hours
Total: 15 sch
Total: 16 sch
Junior Year
Semester I
Semester II
COMM 3304/4301
3 credit hours
COMM 3309
3 credit hours
COMM 3305
3 credit hours
JOUR 2301/ ENG 2304
3 credit hours
Life & Physical Science + Lab
4 credit hours
Minor Coursework
3 credit hours
Social & Behavioral Core Req
3 credit hours
Minor Coursework
3 credit hours
Minor Coursework
3 credit hours
Minor Coursework
3 credit hours
Total: 16 sch
Total: 15 sch
Senior Year
Semester I
Semester II
COMM 3313
3 credit hours
COMM 4302
3 credit hours
COMM 4307
3 credit hours
COMM 4310
3 credit hours
Minor Coursework 3000+
3 credit hours
Minor Coursework 3000+
3 credit hours
Electives 2000+
4 credit hours
Electives 2000+
3 credit hours
Total: 13 sch
Total: 12 sch
Total Credit Hours Required for Bachelor of Arts in Communication: 120
B.A., Communication: Strategic Communication (Minor Required)
Since many communication courses are offered every other year, schedule adjustments may be necessary.
Freshman Year
Semester I
Semester II
COMM 1311
3 credit hours
COMM 1330
3 credit hours
ENG 1301
3 credit hours
ENG 1302
3 credit hours
HIST 1301
3 credit hours
HIST 1302
3 credit hours
Life & Physical Science + Lab
4 credit hours
THEA 1310
3 credit hours
First Year Seminar
1 credit hour
COMM 2308/2335
3 credit hour
Total: 14 sch
Total: 15 sch
Sophomore Year
Semester I
Semester II
COMM 1318/1320
3 credit hours
COMM 2333
3 credit hours
ENG 2300+
3 credit hours
COMM 2306/2307
3 credit hours
Creative Arts Core Req
3 credit hours
Language, Philosophy, & Culture Core
3 credit hours
MATH 1314
3 credit hours
PS 2305
3 credit hours
PS 2306
3 credit hours
Foreign Language Req
4 credit hours
Total: 15 sch
Total: 16 sch
Junior Year
Semester I
Semester II
COMM 3304
3 credit hours
COMM 2335
3 credit hours
COMM 3320
3 credit hours
JOUR 2301/ ENG 2304
3 credit hours
Life & Physical Science + Lab
4 credit hours
Minor Coursework
3 credit hours
Social & Behavioral Core Req
3 credit hours
Minor Coursework
3 credit hours
Minor Coursework
3 credit hours
Minor Coursework
3 credit hours
Total: 16 sch
Total: 15 sch
Senior Year
Semester I
Semester II
COMM 3313
3 credit hours
COMM 3311
3 credit hours
COMM 4307
3 credit hours
COMM 4310
3 credit hours
Minor Coursework 3000+
3 credit hours
Minor Coursework 3000+
3 credit hours
Electives 2000+
3 credit hours
Electives 2000+
2 credit hours
Electives 2000+
3 credit hours
COMM 3305/3331
3 credit hours
Total: 15 sch
Total: 14 sch
Total Credit Hours Required for Bachelor of Arts in Communication: 120
