The MajorThe Communication major at UMass Amherst follows the liberal arts tradition, emphasizing the critical thinking, systematic analysis, and writing and speaking skills that make for engaged citizenship. We emphasize theory and methods of inquiry, as opposed to technical training; we currently do not offer industry-oriented, how-to classes in public relations, advertising, or broadcasting. We do, however, offer some great courses with practical and career application, including Public Speaking, Program Process in Television, and Screenwriting. Students can also gain applied training and skills through internships, service learning, and extracurricular campus experiences. First-year and many transfer students are admitted directly into the major upon admission to the University. Anyone not directly admitted to the major may join the major by attending a mandatory information session and filling out a Communication Major Statement of Interest. We encourage students to take at least one Comm 100-level intro course prior to joining the major in order to be more familiar with the content of the major. See the Getting Started page on the left to learn more about joining the major There is no minor offered in Communication. The undergraduate courses in Communication focus on five areas:
Major RequirementsStudents directly admitted to the Communication major must complete a minimum 45 (46 for Fall direct admits) credits in Communication. Students who join the Communication major once they are on campus must complete a minimum of 45 credits in Communication. The following specific requirements apply to students entering UMass Amherst in the fall of 2018 or later. For requirements for earlier entry years see archived Guides to Undergraduate Programs. 45 to 46 credits in Communication
Restrictions
Internships and International and Domestic ExchangesThe Department of Communication strongly encourages its students to complete at least one internship during their undergraduate careers. Internships, even though they do not count toward the Communication major requirements, give students professional skills and hands-on experience for their futures. Communication majors have interned in such diverse fields as media programming, public interest research, TV news, advertising, public relations, education, corporate management, sales, government, newspaper and magazine publishing, non-profits, and film production. The Department of Communication also strongly encourages students to study abroad or go on domestic exchange. Communication majors study all over the world and across the United States, bringing back new personal and academic insights and the broadened cultural awareness that comes from living in another place. |