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)
An optional concentration in International Communication is also available.
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.
Communication and Entrepreneurship Concentration
The Communication and Entrepreneurship concentration focuses on the intersection between the field of communication and entrepreneurship. Classes will reflect the communicative and functional aspect of entrepreneurship by focusing on and critiquing organizational development. Developed from principles of digital convergence and innovation, this track reflects the need for a host of skills that will function in the digital workplace and will allow students to consider means of developing a more nuanced understanding of capitalism and its impacts.
Campus Location: Main
Program Code: CO-CMST-BA
Contact Information
Scott Gratson, PhD, Program Director
Annenberg Hall, Room 9D
215-204-6434
sgratson@temple.edu
Kisha Hence, Assistant Program Director
Annenberg Hall, Room 9C
215-204-6603
khence@temple.edu
Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies.
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 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:
- 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.
- Lew Klein College of Media and Communication requirements, including KLN 1001 and KLN 1002.
- Minimum of 42 s.h. in Communication Studies.
- Each course that fulfills a requirement for the major must be passed with a C- or better.
- Maximum of 30 s.h. in any one Klein department may be counted toward the major.
- A maximum of 4 s.h. of Internship credit may be counted toward the degree.
- A maximum of 8 s.h. combined of Independent Study and/or Special Projects may be counted toward the degree.
- No more than 8 s.h. in Kinesiology and Dance activities courses.
- Students may participate in study away programs.
- Transfer students are required to complete a minimum of 24 s.h. of major courses at Temple.
- 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: Communication and Entrepreneurship Concentration Requirements
- All Communication Studies majors must take two foundation courses:
Course List Code Title Credit Hours CMST 1111 Communication and Public Life 3 Select one of the following: 3 Introduction to Media Analysis Communicating Organizational Change Global Communication and Leadership Total Credit Hours 6 - 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 (see below) 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 Introduction to Media and Society Introduction to Advertising Journalism and Society Introduction to Media Theory Research Methods Select one of the following: 3 Introduction to Brand Strategy and Research 2 Journalism Research Media Research 1 Analysis Select one of the following: 3 Introduction to Art Direction: Visual Communication 2 Media Popular Culture 1 Introduction to Public Speaking or CSI 1911Honors Introduction to Public Speaking Cross-Cultural Perspectives Select one of the following: 3 Intercultural Communication Communication, Culture and Identity Total Credit Hours 15 - 1
Course has prerequisites.
- 2
Courses in various categories can only be counted once.
- In consultation with a faculty advisor, a student must take seven courses (minimum 21 credits) from the list below.
- Within the concentration, a student must take at least one course from at least three different departments.
- At least four courses in the concentration must be taken at the 3000 or 4000 level. At least one of these four must be taken at the 4000 level.
- 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. Writing-intensive courses end in the numbers 96, 97 and 98 and are noted (WI) in the list below.
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Communication and Entrepreneurship Concentration Options 21 ADV 2111 Introduction to Marketing 3 ADV 2141 Introduction to Brand Strategy and Research 1 3 ADV 2151 Introduction to Art Direction: Visual Communication 1 3 ADV 3101 Creative Thinking for Advertising 3 JRN 3401 Photography 4 JRN 3403 Documentary Photography 3 JRN 3505 Experimental Journalism 3 JRN 3704 Ethical Issues in Journalism 3 JRN 3708 Newsroom Management 3 JRN 3709 The Entrepreneurial Journalist 3 MSP 3153 Media Criticism 3 MSP 3324 The Video Game Industry and Game Culture 3 MSP 3421 Technology and Culture 3 MSP 3663 Marketing Music and Media 3 MSP 4226 Public Media 3 MSP 4252 Law and Ethics of Digital Media 3 MSP 4446 Psychological Processing of Media 3 MSP 4454 Public Information Media Campaigns 3 MSP 4496 Global Media (WI) 3 MSP 4497 Media and Children (WI) 3 MSP 4541 Mobile Media 3 MSP 4614 Creating a Media Business 3 MSP 4657 Current Issues in Media Management 3 MSP 4696 Communication in Media Organizations (WI) 3 - 1
Courses in various categories can only be counted once.
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 Communication and Entrepreneurship
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year
Year 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credit Hours | |
CMST 1111 | Communication and Public Life | 3 |
Select one of the following (Communication Theory): | 3 | |
Introduction to Media and Society | ||
Introduction to Advertising | ||
Journalism and Society | ||
Introduction to Media Theory | ||
ENG 0802 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW] or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course [GQ] | 4 | |
KLN 1001 | Klein First-Year Seminar | 1 |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
KLN 1002 | Klein College Introduction to Professional Development | 1 |
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Introduction to Media Analysis | ||
Communicating Organizational Change | ||
Global Communication and Leadership | ||
GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Year 2 | ||
Fall | ||
CMST 2111 | Communications Seminar | 3 |
Select one of the following (Analysis): | 3 | |
Introduction to Art Direction: Visual Communication | ||
Media Popular Culture | ||
Introduction to Public Speaking or Honors Introduction to Public Speaking | ||
IH 0851 or IH 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3-4 | |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Select one of the following (Research Methods): | 3 | |
Introduction to Brand Strategy and Research | ||
Journalism Research | ||
Media Research | ||
Select one of the following (Cross-Cultural Perspectives): | 3 | |
Intercultural Communication | ||
Communication, Culture and Identity | ||
IH 0852 or IH 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year 3 | ||
Fall | ||
One CE Concentration Course - any level | 3 | |
One Writing-Intensive CE Concentration Course - any level | 3 | |
Electives | 9 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
One 3000-4999 CE Concentration Course | 3 | |
One 3000-4999 CE Concentration Course | 3 | |
Electives | 10 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Year 4 | ||
Fall | ||
One 3000-4999 Writing-Intensive CE Concentration Course | 3 | |
One CE Concentration Course - any level | 3 | |
Electives | 10 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Spring | ||
One 4000-4999 CE Concentration Course | 3 | |
Electives | 13 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Total Credit Hours | 124 |
Optional Concentration
The optional International Communication Concentration (ICC) provides a theoretical and practical education in international and intercultural communication and media. This program allows students to develop sought-after competencies in cultural sensitivity and intercultural communication skills by encouraging students to reflect on their own cultural lenses. Students participating in the ICC program will be exposed to multiple international perspectives through internationally- and interculturally-oriented courses offered on Temple's domestic campuses and may be supplemented with study abroad coursework.
This concentration is restricted to Klein students only.
Requirements
To earn the International Communication Concentration transcript notation, a student must successfully complete a total of 18-20 credits of International / Intercultural studies courses, a maximum 9 credits of which may come from courses transferred into Temple, across 3 areas. Each course that fulfills a requirement for the concentration must be passed with a C- or better.
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Common Course | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Intercultural Communication | ||
Intercultural Communication in the Workplace | ||
Klein International/Intercultural courses | ||
Select three of the following: | 9 | |
Any ADV, CMST, CSI, JRN, MSP, or PR courses taken as part of a Klein GO International Program, or on an overseas Temple Campus (Main Campus Students: Rome or Japan; TUJ Students: Main or Rome; Rome Students: Main or Japan). | ||
Any ADV, CMST, CSI, JRN, MSP, or PR International Internship completed as part of a Klein GO Program | ||
Intercultural and Cross Cultural Conflict | ||
Communication, Culture and Identity | ||
Intercultural Communication in the Workplace (if not used to fulfill common course requirement above) | ||
International Reporting | ||
Journalism and Globalization | ||
Media and Cultural Differences | ||
Communication and Development | ||
Information Society | ||
Global Media | ||
Global Communication and Leadership | ||
International/Intercultural Electives outside of Klein | ||
Note: Satisfying the GenEd World Society requirement by completing a Study Abroad does not also satisfy this requirement. | ||
Choose any two (2) courses of the following: | 6-8 | |
Up to any two foreign language courses | ||
Any non-Klein courses at the 2000-level or higher taken in a Klein GO International Program, or on an overseas Temple Campus (Main Campus Students: Rome or Japan; TUJ Students: Main or Rome; Rome Students: Main or Japan). | ||
Any non-Klein internship taken in a Klein GO International Program | ||
Anthropology | ||
Visual Anthropology of Modern Japan | ||
or ASST 2238 | Visual Anthropology of Modern Japan | |
The Anthropology of Modern China | ||
or ASST 2374 | The Anthropology of Modern China | |
Peoples of Latin America | ||
or LAS 2361 | Peoples of Latin America | |
Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean | ||
or LAS 2362 | Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean | |
Art History | ||
Roman Art and Archaeology | ||
Greek and Roman Sculpture | ||
Early Modern Italy and Spain in the 17th Century | ||
Northern and Global Baroque Art: Art in the Age of Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer | ||
Transnational Impressionisms | ||
Modern Art, 1900-1945 | ||
Arts of Asia | ||
History of Art in Rome (Study Abroad - Rome) | ||
Art and Culture in Ancient Rome (Study Abroad - Rome) | ||
Wonders of Rome: Art and Culture of the Baroque Era (Study Abroad - Rome) | ||
Galleries and Studios of Rome (Study Abroad - Rome) | ||
Arts of Asia (Study Abroad - Japan) | ||
Pre-Modern Japanese Art up to the Edo Period (Study Abroad - Japan) | ||
Asian Studies | ||
Practical Asian Society and Culture | ||
Survey of Japanese Literature Before 1868 | ||
Tokyo in Literature and Film | ||
or JPNS 2015 | Tokyo in Literature and Film | |
Japanese Literature in Film | ||
or JPNS 2021 | Japanese Literature in Film | |
Japan in a Changing World | ||
South Asia: Peoples, Culture, Experiences | ||
Japanese Culture | ||
or ANTH 2373 | Japanese Culture | |
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Insular | ||
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Mainland | ||
Introduction to Asian Business | ||
Ideology and Social Change in Japan | ||
or SOC 3247 | Ideology and Social Change in Japan | |
China: State and Society | ||
or POLS 3251 | China: State and Society | |
Contemporary China | ||
or HIST 3522 | Contemporary China | |
Japan Today | ||
or HIST 3541 | Japan Today | |
Women and Society in Japan | ||
or HIST 3542 | Women and Society in Japan | |
Film & Media Arts | ||
International Cinema | ||
Geography & Urban Studies | ||
Urban Systems in a Global Economy | ||
African Development | ||
East and South Asia | ||
or ASST 2074 | Geography of East and South Asia | |
International Urbanization | ||
Environmental Problems in Asia | ||
or ASST 3052 | Environmental Problems in Asia | |
or ENST 3052 | Environmental Problems in Asia | |
Geography of Travel and Tourism | ||
Transportation & Culture | ||
History | ||
History of Central Europe, 1618-1871 | ||
Central Europe Through Wars and Revolution, 1848-1989 | ||
Introduction to East Asia: China | ||
or ASST 2501 | Introduction to East Asia: China | |
Introduction to East Asia: Japan | ||
or ASST 2502 | Introduction to East Asia: Japan | |
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Insular | ||
or ASST 2503 | Introduction to Southeast Asia: Insular | |
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Mainland | ||
or ASST 2504 | Introduction to Southeast Asia: Mainland | |
Introduction to African History | ||
Introduction to Latin America | ||
Civilization and Modernity in the Caribbean | ||
or LAS 2515 | Civilization and Modernity in the Caribbean | |
Modern Islamic History | ||
Third World Issues through Film | ||
Irish History | ||
History of England | ||
Russia: Nationality and Empire | ||
Russia: Revolution, State, and Empire | ||
Southern Africa: A History | ||
The Chinese Revolution | ||
Modern India | ||
History of Vietnam | ||
History of Brazil | ||
or LAS 3561 | History of Brazil | |
Contemporary Mexico | ||
or LAS 3562 | Contemporary Mexico | |
Israel: History, Politics and Society | ||
Modern Middle East | ||
Third World Women's Lives | ||
Jewish Studies | ||
Jewish Diaspora/Survey of Jewish History | ||
Latin American Studies | ||
Latin America through Film and Fiction | ||
Comparative Political Systems in Latin America | ||
Fundamentals of Latin American Business | ||
or IB 2502 | Fundamentals of Latin American Business | |
Historical Continuity and Social Change in Latin America | ||
Sociology of Music: Nation, Race, Class and Gender in Argentina and Brazil | ||
"Other Voices" in Latin American Literature | ||
Caribbean Literature and Culture | ||
African Culture in Brazil | ||
Political Science | ||
Contemporary Politics of Europe | ||
Eastern Europe, Russia and the West | ||
Comparative Political Systems in Latin America | ||
Comparative Public Policy | ||
Politics of International Law | ||
Politics of the Global Economy | ||
International Organization | ||
British Government and Politics | ||
Mideast Politics | ||
East Asia and the United States | ||
or ASST 3252 | East Asia and the United States | |
International Environmental Policy | ||
or ENST 3265 | International Environmental Policy | |
Religion | ||
Religion and Human Sexuality | ||
Religion in Film | ||
Indian Philosophies and Religions | ||
or ASST 2101 | Religions of India | |
Introduction to Buddhism | ||
or ASST 2102 | Introduction to Buddhism | |
Chinese Religions - Confucius to Mao | ||
Zen Buddhism | ||
or ASST 2301 | Zen Buddhism | |
Introduction to Judaism | ||
or JST 2403 | Introduction to Judaism | |
Kabbalah and Mysticism | ||
or JST 2447 | Kabbalah and Mysticism | |
Jesus in the Media | ||
Introduction to Islam | ||
Religion in Contemporary Africa | ||
Monks, Masters, and Magicians: Religion in Premodern Chinese Literature | ||
or ASST 3011 | Monks, Masters, and Magicians: Religion in Premodern Chinese Literature | |
I-Ching, Tao, and Ch'an/Zen | ||
or ASST 3201 | I-Ching, Tao, and Ch'an/Zen | |
Japanese Religions | ||
or ASST 3301 | Japanese Religions | |
The Philosophies of Judaism | ||
or JST 3411 | The Philosophies of Judaism | |
The Islamic State | ||
Women in Islam | ||
Islamic Mysticism | ||
African Religions and New World Culture | ||
Total Credit Hours | 18-20 |
Contact Information
Jack Klotz, MSP Faculty Advisor
Annenberg Hall, Room 115
215-204-5823
jklotz@temple.edu
Accelerated Programs
Students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.
The following accelerated programs are available to students in the Communication Studies BA:
Lew Klein College of Media and Communication