Communication BA

Our program prepares students for success in today’s global community.

Whether planning to enter the workforce right after graduation, or continuing education to pursue a master’s degree, an undergraduate degree in communication opens the door to abundant and diverse opportunities. We pride ourselves in developing students who not only land top jobs, but who are culturally sensitive, engaged citizens eager to make a positive impact in their future organizations and communities.

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PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS 4 year Grad Plan Communication Studies 4 year grad Plan Public Relations

Meet the Communication Faculty & Staff

Internships

Internships are an integral part of a student’s overall academic experience, offering the opportunity to extend and apply their learning outside the classroom, while exploring potential career paths aligned with their interests.

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Career

The communication program is known for its students graduating with quality, communication positions at leading companies in our region and across the country.

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Student Engagement

Our communication students are recognized across campus and the Southwest Florida community as capable professionals and future leaders.

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Dialogue on Race Communication graduates are in high demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs requiring a communication degree will continue to grow 6 to 7 percent annually between now and 2024. Communication majors are found in public relations, social media, mass communication, print and broadcast media, as well as affiliated industries including higher education, marketing, politics and law.

Students in the Communication program have the opportunity to pursue one of two tracks:

Communication Studies
Public Relations

Communication Studies
Within the Communication Studies track, students have the opportunity to explore communication theory and application from numerous perspectives including: human communication, interracial/intercultural communication, interpersonal communication, persuasion and rhetoric. Courses include: Public Speaking, Theories of Human Communication, Critical Race Theory in Communication, Persuasion and propaganda, Rhetorical Criticism and Foundations of Civic Engagement.

Public Relations
Anticipating a career in an industry providing strategic communication for the business and nonprofit sectors, students in the Public Relations track experience an immersive course of instruction focused on developing solid oral and written communication skills. Courses include: Principles of Public Relations, PR Writing, PR Strategy, PR Research, Nonprofit PR and PR Campaigns.

Alumni Profiles

Angela Navarro

'15, Communication/PR

" FGCU is fortunate to have professors that have vast experience in the professional world that they apply to their lessons."

Manuel Navarro

'15, Communication/PR

" I think what I took most from my time in the FGCU Communication/PR Program is the focus on attention to detail. We were graded so tough on every detail and at the time I thought it was unnecessary criticism, but now I see how my attention to detail is making me stand out in my position."

Trish Robertson

'07, Communication/PR

" Most of the professors who taught PR-focused classes were either former or current public relations professionals who had the connections and tools to use during class."

Communication Lab

The Communication Lab is a campus speech and presentation development center focusing on new techniques and education to assist the FGCU student body to become stronger and effective public speakers and presenters.

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FPRA Chapter

If you’re a student looking to take your career to the next level while in college, joining the FGCU student chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) is for you.

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Department Contacts

Nelson, Chad

Program Coordinator Communication BA/Assistant Professor Public Relations

REED 0108C

239-590-1875

cnelson@fgcu.edu

: Rhetorical Theory and Criticism/Urban Studies/Education Policy

Gunter, Kristina

Administrative Specialist II

REED 0220B

239-590-7263

kgunter@fgcu.edu

Concentrations

Communication Studies Concentration
Public Relations Concentration

Accreditation
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Institutional Accreditation

Information on FGCU institutional accreditation is available at www.fgcu.edu/accreditation

Program Accreditation

FGCU's Communication major aligns with academic outcomes defined by the National Communication Association (NCA). The mission of NCA advances Communication as the discipline that studies all forms, modes, media, and consequences of communication through humanistic, social scientific, and aesthetic inquiry.

Additionally, the Public Relations concentration draws curriculum recommendations and student outcomes from The Commission on Public Relations Education (CPRE). The CPRE is composed of public relations educators and practitioners representing 15 professional societies in PR and related fields of communications. The Commission establishes benchmarks for teaching public relations that are current, research-based, sensitive to culture and language and applicable to preparing public relations students for a career in practice, research, or teaching.
Admissions Information
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Admissions Information for the 2024-2025 Catalog Year
If you are not yet an FGCU student, visit the Admissions Office Website
If you are a newly-admitted FGCU student please be sure to sign up for an Eagle View Orientation session. As part of this session you will be meeting with an academic advisor who will assist you in registering for classes for your major.
Admission Deadlines
Visit the Admissions Office Web site for information on admission deadlines of the university.
Program Requirements
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Program Requirements for the 2024-2025 Catalog Year
The General Education Program Website is located at https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/undergraduatestudies/generaleducation/
Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements
- Attend an orientation session.
- Sign an Advising Agreement document.
In addition to the program requirements, students must:
- Complete a minimum of 120 credits.
- Complete a minimum of 48 of the 120 credits at the upper division (3000 - 4999 level).
- Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
- Satisfy the College-Level Skills and foreign language entrance requirements.
- Satisfy the Service-Learning requirement.
- Satisfy the Civic Literacy requirement.
- Satisfy the residency requirement: 30 of the last 60 credits must be completed at FGCU.
- Complete the summer course enrollment requirement.
- Submit an Application for Graduation by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
Program Requirements
1. FGCU General Education Program (https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/undergraduatestudies/generaleducation/)
  
  To prevent or minimize excess hours, select general education courses that satisfy common prerequisite requirements for your intended major.
2. Common Prerequisites
  A minimum grade of C is required in each course
  
  FGCU Course: SPC 1608 Effective Speaking (3)
  Acceptable Substitute: SPCX608
3. Required Courses in the Major (18 credits)
  A minimum grade of C is required in each course
  
  IDS 3300 Foundations of Civic Engagement (3)
  SPC 1017 Fundamentals of Communication (3)
  SPC 3210 Theories of Human Communicatio (3)
  SPC 3230 History of Rhetorical Theory (3)
  SPC 3721 Interracial/Intercultural Comm (3)
  SPC 4941 Internship (3)
4. Concentration (18 credits)
  A minimum grade of C is required in each course
  
  Complete one of the following concentrations:
  
  Communication Studies Concentration
  Complete the following:
  COM 3343 Rhetorical Criticism (3)
  SPC 4932 Senior Seminar (3)
  
  Select 12 credits from the following:
  Any upper division (3000 - 4999 level) course with the prefix COM or SPC that has not already been used to fulfill a requirement for this major.
  
  Public Relations Concentration
  Complete the following:
  PUR 3000 Principles of Public Relations (3)
  PUR 3100 Public Relations Writing (3)
  PUR 3600 Public Relations Strategy (3)
  PUR 4500 Public Relations Research (3)
  PUR 4800 P/R Campaigns/Capstone (3)
  
  Select 3 credits from the following:
  COM 4930 Special Topics (3)
  SPC 4931 Special Topics (3)
  Any upper division (3000 - 4999 level) course with the prefix PUR that has not already been used to fulfill a requirement for this major.
5. University Requirements (3 credits)
  Select one of the following:
  IDS 3920 University Colloquium (3)
  Or at least 3 credits in sustainability coursework (SCGR Attribute)
6. Additional Electives - as needed to reach total credits required for the degree
Total Credits Required: 120
Degree Map
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Degree Maps are to be used as a general guideline for students. Some students scheduling needs may vary based upon completed courses and transfer credits. Please see your advisor for assistance and verification.
The Communication major is one of the most popular majors at FGCU. To help ensure access to classes and staying on your graduation schedule, it is recommended you meet regularly with your advisor to understand the sequence of courses.

2024-2025 Communication BA Communication Studies Concentration Degree Map

2024-2025 Communication BA Public Relations Concentration Degree Map

Additional Graduation Requirements include:
- A minimum of 120 credit hours.
- A minimum of 48 of the 120 hours must be at the upper division (3000 - 4999) level.
- A cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
- A minimum grade of C for each course used to satisfy the following categories: common prerequisites, required courses in the major, and courses in the concentration.
- Satisfaction of the College-Level Skills and foreign language entrance requirements.
- Satisfaction of the Service Learning requirement (See www.fgcu.edu/connect).
- Satisfaction of the residency requirement: thirty of the last sixty credits must be completed at FGCU.
- Completion of the summer course enrollment requirement.
- Submit an online Application for Graduation via Gulfline by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
Transfer Notes and Acceptable Substitutes

For All Majors: Students are strongly recommended to select required lower division electives that will enhance their General Education coursework and that will support their intended baccalaureate degree program. Students should consult with an academic advisor in their major degree area.
Course Description
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Official Course Descriptions

Search for official course descriptions by using the Course Description Search utility.

Go to the Course Descriptions Search Web page, then follow these steps:
1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select a course prefix from one of the SUBJECT dropdowns (required)
3. Enter search words in the TEXT field (optional, but will narrow the search results)
4. Press Search
Course Schedule
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Getting Started With the Course Schedule Search

Search for program courses by using the Course Schedule Search utility.

Go to the Course Schedule Search Web page, then follow these steps:
1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select one or more of the search options to narrow your results (for example, CAMPUS, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENT, LEVEL, PREFIX*, COURSE ATTRIBUTE**). For virtual or web courses, select VIRTUAL in the CAMPUS field.
3. Press Search.
*A course prefix is a three-letter designator for a major division of an academic discipline (for example, ACG for Accounting , BSC for Biological Science, ENC for English Composition). See the Degree Requirements page for a list of courses (with prefix and number) that can be used to fulfill degree requirements.

**A course attribute identifies specific characteristics of courses that can be used in a Degree Evaluation to satisfy a degree requirement. (Course attribute examples are Humanities courses - GEHM and Social Science courses - GESO.)
Learning Outcomes
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Academic Learning Compact

Consistent with its mission and guiding principles, Florida Gulf Coast University is committed to academic excellence and continuous quality improvement, as supported by a sound teaching-learning process. Within this process, students and instructors share responsibility for learning that is a movement from the simple to the complex, the concrete to the abstract, and the dependent to the independent. The Academic Learning Compact (ALC) initiative supports the teaching-learning process by clearly identifying expected core student learning outcomes in the areas of content/discipline knowledge and skills, communication skills, and critical thinking skills; aligning curricula with expectations; and using assessment to guide continuous improvement.

Content/Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Graduates will be able to:
1. Develop and present high quality oral presentations.
2. Create and analyze effective arguments.
3. Apply communication theory to practice.
4. Understand issues of race, gender, socio-economic status, culture, and power as they affect and are created by communication
5. Demonstrate competence in additional areas of communication such as organizational/business, rhetorical theory/social change, environmental, gender, non-verbal, and critical cultural theory.
Content/discipline knowledge and skills are assessed at the college and departmental levels through presentations, papers, exams, and other projects completed in the following required courses: SPC 3210 Theories of Human Communication, SPC 3721 Interracial/Intercultural Communication, History of Rhetoric and SPC 2023 Public Speaking, and in selected upper division required and elective courses, which may include COM 3120, COM 3343, COM 3540, COM 3462, SPC 3543, or SPC 3331.
Communication Skills
Graduates will be able to:
1. Select a topic, and develop it for a specific audience and purpose, with respect for diverse perspectives.
2. Select, organize, and relate ideas and information with coherence, clarity, and unity.
3. Identify culturally specific expectations of a given context or communication interaction and adjust one’s own communication to that context.
4. Engage in authentic, respectful, and effective interpersonal speaking and listening.
Communication skills will be assessed in selected lower and upper division courses, including SPC 2023 Public Speaking, SPC 3721 Interracial/Intercultural Communication, COM 3562 Communication and Conflict, SPC 3350 Listening Theory, COM 3540 Persuasion and Propaganda, COM 3331 Nonverbal Communication, and/or SPC 4932 Senior Seminar/Capstone.
Critical Thinking Skills
Graduates will be able to:
1. Employ classic western problem-solving methodology, when appropriate.
2. Understand the use of “critical inquiry” as a process of critical thinking.
3. Understand the study of theory as a consideration of perspectives and underlying assumptions in light of a broad set of observations and experiences.
Critical Thinking Skills will be assessed through selected lower and upper division courses, including SPC Theories of Human Communication ,SPC 3517 Principles of Rhetoric and Argumentation, COM 3343 Rhetorical Criticism, SPC 3543 Ecological Communication, COM 3120 Organizational Communication,, SPC 3722 Critical Race Theory, and/or SPC 4932 Senior Seminar/Capstone.
Tuition, Fees, and Financial Assistance
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Tuition and Fees

Information on Tuition, Fees and estimated total Cost of Attendance is available on the Office of the Bursar web site.

Financial Aid Opportunities

Visit FGCU's Financial Aid Web site for information about grants, additional scholarships, loans, and student employment.