Overview
This is a Bachelor's to Master's Track degree program for students in all areas of the B.A. Communication program.
High performing upperclassmen (those with an overall GPA of 3.25 or higher and a minimum of 78 completed credit hours) may select the Bachelor's to Master's Track to earn credit towards a Master’s Degree in Professional Communication. Enrollment in this track allows students to simultaneously earn credit towards their undergraduate degree and graduate degree. In order to be part of this program students must contact the Strategic Communication and Media Department Chair and meet the following criteria. (1) Provide a current resume outlining academic and professional experience and (2) provide a letter of interest explaining how the candidate’s academic and/or professional experience and goals align with the MA program. Upon graduation with the undergraduate degree, students must be accepted to the Graduate College and meet all admissions requirements. Once accepted, student transcripts will reflect the dual-enrolled courses.
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST YEAR REQUIREMENT -STUDENT SUCCESS | ||
| YSU 1500 | Success Seminar | 1-2 |
| or YSU 1500S | Youngstown State University Success Seminar | |
| or HONR 1500 | Intro to Honors | |
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENGL 1550 | Writing 1 | 3-4 |
| or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 with Support | |
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| GE: Mathematics Course *Any approved GE: Math, MATH 2623/2623C recommended | 3 | |
| Arts and Humanities (6 s.h.) | ||
| GE: Arts and Humanities | 3 | |
| GE: Arts and Humanities | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences (7 s.h.) | ||
| GE: Natural Science | 3 | |
| GE: Natural Science with Lab | 4 | |
| Social Science (6 s.h.) | ||
| CMST 2610 | Intercultural Communication *required for major | 3 |
| MCOM 1595 | Media Literacy and Culture *required for major | 3 |
| General Education Elective (9 s.h.) | ||
| CMST 1545 | Communication Foundations *1545 or 2620 is required for major | 3 |
| or CMST 2620 | Science Communication | |
| GE: General Education Elective | 3 | |
| GE: General Education Elective | 3 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| CMST 1500 | Exploring Communication | 3 |
| CMST 2600 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| CMST 2655 | Communication in Groups | 3 |
| CMST 2656 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| CMST 3700 | Quantitative Communication Research | 3 |
| CMST 3710 | Qualitative Communication Research | 3 |
| CMST 3756 | Interviewing | 3 |
| CMST 3790 | Personal Brand Communication | 3 |
| CMST 4896 | Communication Internship | 3 |
| or CMST 4859 | Organizational Cultures | |
| Required Support Courses *MCOM 1595 is a support course and Gen Ed | ||
| JOUR 2602 | Media Writing | 3 |
| MCOM 3711 | Social Media Content Creation | 3 |
| ENGL 3743 | Introduction to Public, Professional and Technical Writing | 3 |
| Senior Capstone | ||
| CMST 4899 | Senior Project | 3 |
| Communication Track Options | 18 | |
| Upon entering the university students will select either the Social Media Track or the Strategic Organizational Communication Track. The below options reflect the requirements of these tracks. *Students must complete a dual enrollment form prior to the start of the course to receive both graduate and undergraduate credit. See Department Chair to get the form. | ||
| Option A: Social Media Track | ||
| Social Media Literacy | ||
| Social Media Communication Strategy and Tactics | ||
| Social Media Campaigns | ||
| Communication Futures: Emerging Technologies and Trends | ||
| Select 2 additional 5800 level courses below for dual credit | ||
| Leadership, Diversity, and Belongingness in the Modern Workplace | ||
| Communication for Instructors and Trainers | ||
| Conflict Management and Negotiation | ||
| Persuasion and New Media | ||
| Option B: Strategic Organizational Communication Track | ||
| Students must select 6 courses from the following list, 2 of which must be 5800 level. | ||
| Presentational Speaking | ||
| Gender Communication | ||
| Argumentation and Advocacy | ||
or CMST 3754C | CE Argumentation and Advocacy | |
| Interpersonal Communication Relationships | ||
| Leadership, Diversity, and Belongingness in the Modern Workplace | ||
| Communication for Instructors and Trainers | ||
| Conflict Management and Negotiation | ||
| Persuasion and New Media | ||
| Required Graduate Class | ||
| CMST 6900 | Survey of Communication Graduate Studies | 3 |
| Free Electives *Hours will vary based on what is needed for 120 SH | 22 | |
| Student must complete a minimum of 39 SH of Upper-Level Courses (3700-5800) | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 120-122 | |
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | S.H. | |
| CMST 1500 | Exploring Communication | 3 |
| CMST 1545 or CMST 2620 | Communication Foundations or Science Communication | 3 |
| CMST 2655 | Communication in Groups | 3 |
| ENGL 1550 or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 or Writing 1 with Support | 3-4 |
| YSU 1500 | Success Seminar or Youngstown State University Success Seminar or Intro to Honors | 1-2 |
| GE: Arts and Humanities | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16-18 | |
| Spring | ||
| CMST 2600 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| CMST 2656 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| Comm Option Class | 3 | |
| MCOM 1595 | Media Literacy and Culture | 3 |
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CMST 2610 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| JOUR 2602 | Media Writing | 3 |
| MCOM 3711 | Social Media Content Creation | 3 |
| GE: General Education Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CMST 3790 | Personal Brand Communication | 3 |
| Comm Option Class | 3 | |
| GE: Arts and Humanities | 3 | |
| GE: Math | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CMST 3700 | Quantitative Communication Research | 3 |
| ENGL 3743 | Introduction to Public, Professional and Technical Writing | 3 |
| Comm Option Class | 3 | |
| GE: General Education Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CMST 3710 | Qualitative Communication Research | 3 |
| CMST 3756 | Interviewing | 3 |
| Comm Option Class | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CMST 4859 or CMST 4896 | Organizational Cultures or Communication Internship | 3 |
| Comm Option Class | 3 | |
| GE: Natural Science | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CMST 4899 | Senior Project | 3 |
| Communication Option Course | 3 | |
| GE: Natural Science with Lab | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 2 | |
| Semester Hours | 14 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 120-122 | |
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Regardless of track, students graduating with a B.A. degree in communication will meet the following learning outcomes:
LO 1: Collect, analyze, and report qualitative and quantitative data, demonstrating information literacy, critical thinking, and problem solving.
LO 2: Effectively employ mediated communication technologies, including their features, functions and applications.
LO 3: Create professional, coherent and organized oral messages, which adapt to various purposes and audiences.
LO 4: Embrace individual and cultural differences, respect diverse perspectives, and create messages that accommodate differences to be prepared for multicultural workplaces.
LO 5: Apply communication theory and concepts for personal communication and professional career readiness