Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies is a studies-based interdisciplinary major. It features the academic (aesthetic, analytical, critical, historical, theoretical) and interdisciplinary study of communication as represented by the departments included within the Lew Klein College of Media and Communication.

Designed to ensure flexibility and choice, Communication Studies allows students a chance to fully investigate multiple fields in the communications discipline. Emphasis is placed on providing an overview of Communication while also accentuating personal academic growth. Personal choice and options allow students a chance to complete the degree in a timely manner.

In this interdisciplinary program, Communication Studies students must select one of the following concentrations as a distinctive area of investigation:

• Communication and Entrepreneurship
• Contemporary Media Environments
• Global and Community Engagement 
• Production (for Temple Japan students only)
• Communication Studies Thesis (the Major of Distinction concentration, which is available for advanced scholars)

The flexibility of the Communication Studies program offers students access to the field experiences, internships and study away experiences vital to a comprehensive education. Students with a number of skill sets and academic interest areas are often drawn to this innovative program and graduates are poised for a number of professional and academic possibilities, such as graduate, law or professional school. Graduates of this program will be well-suited to pursue a variety of positions across numerous aspects of the communications field.

Students receive cross-curricular expertise through foundation and core courses. Academic rigor and student choice are at the very core of the program. Choices allow a student flexibility, and curricular oversight ensures a solid, academically robust education. Courses are designed to allow student progress to be monitored at yearly intervals. Experiential learning is promoted, particularly during the junior and senior years. Cross cultural exchanges and experiences are integral aspects of the program's design. Advanced scholars have a distinct and individualized concentration.

Production Concentration

The Production concentration is available only at Temple University, Japan Campus. It provides an overview of divergent technologies used in the production of media, including traditional and multi-media platforms. Students wishing to expand their knowledge of communications to include skill-based knowledge vital in a variety of professional fields, including filmmaking, television and radio are welcome.

Students are expected to gain an understanding of both fiction and non-fiction narratives, and how technological components such as photography, editing and audio contribute to the realization of the project. As writing is a crucial component of project work, students will complete scripts, essays and articles, including extensive revision. Attainment of professional production broadcast standards is expected.

Campus Location: Japan

Program Code: CO-CMST-BA

Contact Information

Kevin Jones, MFA, Chair for the Division of Media and Fine Arts
kevinhjones@tuj.temple.edu

John A. Lipartito Jr., BA, Faculty Advisor for the Communication Studies Major
jrlipartito@tuj.temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2025-2026. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2025 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Requirements

The degree of Bachelor of Arts may be conferred upon a student majoring in Communication Studies by the recommendation of the faculty and upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 124 semester hours (s.h.) of credit with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 overall and in the major.

Students must meet:

1. University requirements
   • All students are required to complete the General Education (GenEd) curriculum.
   • All students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses in the major at Temple University.
2. Lew Klein College of Media and Communication requirements, including KLN 1001 and KLN 1002.
3. Minimum of 42 s.h. in Communication Studies.
4. Each course that fulfills a requirement for the major must be passed with a C- or better.
5. Maximum of 30 s.h. in any one Klein department may be counted toward the major.
6. A maximum of 4 s.h. of Internship credit may be counted toward the degree.
7. A maximum of 8 s.h. combined of Independent Study and/or Special Projects may be counted toward the degree.
8. No more than 8 s.h. in Kinesiology and Dance activities courses.
9. Students may participate in study away programs.
10. Transfer students are required to complete a minimum of 24 s.h. of major courses at Temple.

11. Communication Studies majors may minor in established Klein minors. The Communication Studies student who declares a minor must complete the entire program requirements for both the major and the minor. Courses listed for both the Communication Studies major and Klein minor will only apply towards one of the curriculums. If the class is part of an array of courses, students will be required to take a different course to satisfy the major requirement.

Communication Studies: Production Concentration Requirements

1. All Communication Studies majors must take the following two foundation courses:

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credit Hours
   CMST 1111	Communication and Public Life	3
   MSP 1021	Introduction to Media Analysis	3
   Total Credit Hours		6

2. All majors will take five additional core courses. Students will select one course each from the categories below (15 credits). Students should plan to meet the prerequisites for courses in their selected concentration by taking appropriate core courses.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credit Hours
   Core Courses
   CMST 2111	Communications Seminar 1	3
   Communication Theory
   Select one of the following:		3
   ADV 1101	Introduction to Media and Society
   JRN 1111	Journalism and Society
   Research Methods
   Select one of the following:		3
   ADV 2141	Introduction to Brand Strategy and Research
   JRN 2101	Journalism Research
   Analysis
   Select one of the following:		3
   COMC 1111	Presentations for Policy Change
   or COMC 1911	Honors Presentations for Policy Change
   MSP 2421	Media and Popular Culture 1
   Cross-Cultural Perspectives (specific to TUJ)
   Select one of the following:		3
   COMC 3701	Intercultural Communication
   JRN 3706	Journalism and Globalization
   Total Credit Hours		15

   ¹

   Course has prerequisites.

3. In consultation with a faculty advisor, a student must take seven courses (minimum 21 credits) from the list below.

• Students must have met the prerequisites for courses in their concentration by taking the appropriate core courses (see above).
• All students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses in the major. MSP 4796 is required. (TV Production Focus students are recommended to complete MSP 4796 before taking MSP 3701.) For the other writing-intensive course, options for this concentration are MSP 3196, MSP 3296, MSP 4496, and JRN 2396.

  Course List

  Code	Title	Credit Hours
  MSP 1701	Introduction to Media Production	3
  Choose either the TV Production or Audio/Radio focus:		12
  TV Production Focus
  MSP 2701	Intermediate Video Production
  MSP 3701	Genres of Media Production
  Select one of the following:
  MSP 2751	Audio for Media
  MSP 3709	Advanced Editing
  MSP 3721	On-Camera Performance
  MSP 4701	Producing and Directing
  Audio/Radio Focus
  MSP 2751	Audio for Media
  MSP 3751	Studio Music Recording Techniques
  Select one of the following:
  MSP 2701	Intermediate Video Production
  MSP 3705	Sound for Visual Media
  MSP 3721	On-Camera Performance
  Writing-Intensive Courses
  MSP 4796	Creative Scriptwriting	3
  Select one of the following:		3
  JRN 2396	Magazine Article Writing
  MSP 3196	Writing Workshop
  MSP 3296	Travel Writing
  MSP 4496	Media and Globalization
  Total Credit Hours		21

Suggested Academic Plan

Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a Concentration in Production

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2025-2026 Academic Year