The Communication Program
The Communication Program at UTSA consists of four concentrations: speech, technical communication, public relations, and electronic media. All Communication majors take a core of common requirements, as well as specific concentration requirements, communication electives, and support work in related fields.
Below you will find information about the four communication concentrations, as well as requirements for the major, a list of support courses recommended for Communication majors, information about graduating with honors in Communication, and the College of Liberal and Fine Arts Advising Office.
Please note: Banner ASAP will be enforcing class prerequisites.
For more information, go to:GOT PREREQS
Note: These Requirements apply to those entering under the 2002 catalog. If you entered the University prior to Fall 2002 go to the Previous Requirements and Current Requirements section to get information about the older requirements.
All Communication majors must complete the UTSA Core Curriculum (note: courses required within some concentrations can fulfill some Core Curriculum requirements; consult the UTSA catalog for details). Within the Communication program, students complete a core of common courses, as well as courses required for their concentrations. Majors must also take a number of Communication electives along with courses in other departments that support the Communication major.
Common Requirements
All Communication majors must take the following courses:
- COM 2213: Foundations of Communication
- COM 2733: Introduction to Communication Technologies
- COM 3073: Conduct of Communication Inquiry
- COM 3083: Language and Communication Theory
- COM 3553: Intercultural Communication or
- COM 3563: International Communication
- ENG 2413: Technical Writing
Requirements for Speech Communication
Communication majors in the Speech Communication Concentration must take the following courses:
- COM 2113: Public Speaking
- COM 3243: Persuasion
- COM 3253: Rhetorical Communication Analysis
- COM 3383: Interpersonal Communication
- 9 additional semester credit hours in communication, at least 6 of which must be at the upper-division level
In addition, Speech Communication majors must take:
6 semester credit hours in a single foreign language
15 semester credit hours of approved support work in one of the following areas, which may also be used to satisfy a Core Curriculum requirement:
- Intercultural/international studies
- English language, composition, and visual arts
- Social and behavioral sciences
- Business, management, and marketing
- Other subjects as may be individually justified by the student and approved by the undergraduate advisor
24 semester credit hours of free electives
Requirements for Technical Communication
Communication majors in the Technical Communication Concentration must take the following courses:
- COM 2433: Editing
- COM 3413: Writing for New Media
- COM 3623: Commercial Publications
- COM 3633: Professional Presentations
- 9 additional semester credit hours in communication at the upper-division level
In addition, Technical Communication majors must take:
6 semester credit hours in a single foreign language
9 semester credit hours of approved support work:
- ACC 2013 Principles of Accounting I
- FIN 3003 Survey of Finance
- ECO 2023 Introductory Microeconomics
9 semester credit hours in one of the following areas, which may also be used to satisfy a Core Curriculum requirement:
- Intercultural/international studies
- English language, composition, and visual arts
- Social and behavioral sciences
- Business, management, and marketing
- Other subjects as may be individually justified by the student and approved by the undergraduate advisor
18 semester credit hours of free electives
Requirements for Electronic Media
Communication majors in the Electronic Media Concentration must take the following courses:
- COM 3633: Professional Presentation
- COM 3733: Fundamentals of Communications Media
- COM 3893: Organizational Communication
- COM 4733: Communications Design and Innovation
- 9 additional semester credit hours in communication, at least 6 of which must be at the upper-division level
In addition, Electronic Media majors must take:
6 semester credit hours in a single foreign language
9 semester credit hours of approved support work:
- ACC 2013 Principles of Accounting I
- FIN 3003 Survey of Finance
- ECO 2023 Introductory Microeconomics
9 semester credit hours in one of the following areas, which may also be used to satisfy a Core Curriculum requirement:
- Intercultural/international studies
- English language, composition, and visual arts
- Social and behavioral sciences
- Business, management, and marketing
- Other subjects as may be individually justified by the student and approved by the undergraduate advisor
18 semester credit hours of free electives
Requirements for Public Relations
Communication majors in the Public Relations Concentration must take the following courses:
- COM 3513: Writing for Public Relations
- COM 3523: Public Relations
- COM 3893: Organizational Communication
- COM 4523: Case Studies in Public Relations
- COM 4533: Public Relations Planning and Campaigns
- 9 additional semester credit hours in communication, at least 3 of which must be at the upper-division level
In addition, Public Relations majors must take:
6 semester credit hours in a single foreign language
9 semester credit hours of approved support work:
- ACC 2013 Principles of Accounting I
- FIN 3003 Survey of Finance
- ECO 2023 Introductory Microeconomics
9 semester credit hours in one of the following areas, which may also be used to satisfy a Core Curriculum requirement:
- Intercultural/international studies
- English language, composition, and visual arts
- Social and behavioral sciences
- Business, management, and marketing
- Other subjects as may be individually justified by the student and approved by the undergraduate advisor
15 semester credit hours of free electives
Previous Requirements and New Requirements
All four Communication Concentrations (Speech Communication, Technical Communication, Electronic Media, and Public Relations) have added new requirements in the Fall 2002 catalog.
Frequently Asked Questions About the New Requirements
Q. I've got another year before graduation. Will I have to take the new requirements?
A. No. The new requirements apply only to those who declare their COM major after the new catalog is adopted in Fall 2002.
Q. I've already taken ENG 3413: Specialized Professional Writing; can I take COM 3513: Public Relations Writing or COM 3413: Writing for New Media?
A. Yes. They'll count as upper division COM electives.
Q. Can I substitute COM 3413 or COM 3513 for ENG 3413 if I haven't taken it?
A. Yes, you should do so. If you're a Public Relations major, take COM 3513; if you're a Technical Communication major, take COM 3413. They will be substituted in for ENG 3413.
Q. I've already taken one of the courses that are now cross-listed; can I go back and get COM credit for it?
A. No. The cross-listing is only in the 2002 catalog, and credit cannot be earned for both courses that are cross-listed.
Q. Can I switch to the new catalog?
A. Yes, but if you do, you'll have to meet all of the new requirements.