Academic Majors and Requirements

The School of Communication at Radford University offers a comprehensive undergraduate education in a diverse field of study with courses leading to B.S. and B.A. degrees in Communication or Media Studies. The school offers two different majors with five concentrations, providing a broad and diverse array of opportunities for students.

Communication degree

Media Studies degree

Together the two undergraduate degree programs offer students a broad range of possibilities for study and professional preparation. Written, spoken and digital communication skills are vital in the contemporary job market. A Communication or Media Studies degree prepares students for the global workforce and professional public service commuication.

Some of the required classes for the Media Studies major are only offered in the following rotation: 

FALL only        COMS 304-Electronic News Gathering; COMS 373-Advertising Media Planning; COMS 473-Advertising Production.

SPRING only   COMS 223-Advertising Copywriting; COMS 404-Specialized Journalism; COMS 481-Journalism Portfolio.

Core Requirements

All undergraduate students in the School of Communication must complete six credit hours of core requirements.

  • COMS 130. Introduction to Communication
  • COMS 330. Communication Theory

These courses are designed to introduce students to the history, contexts, influence, and theoretical grounding of the field of Communication.

Students in the School of Communication must complete these two courses with a grade of “C” or better before they will be permitted to take 400-level courses.

An Optional International Experience

While the School of Communication does not require an international experience, it is strongly recommended as an essential component of an outstanding undergraduate education. The School of Communication regularly offers international study and travel opportunities designed to provide important intercultural learning experiences along with a focused study of the theory and practice of communication in intercultural and international contexts.

The Media Studies major is designed for students with an interest in media or other related mass communication fields.

  • The Advertising concentration recognizes that there is a vital and symbiotic relationship between advertising and media. The focus of this concentration is on the creative use of media for the purpose of advertising.
  • The Journalism concentration prepares students for a rapidly changing field, from traditional newspaper careers to multimedia and websites. There is always demand for the skills involved in gathering, reporting and interpreting non-fiction and public affairs information.
  • The Media Production concentration prepares students for careers in radio, television, cable, multimedia, and corporate and industrial video production.

The Communication major prepares undergraduate students for the future in two ways; becoming professional communicators and making contributions to various organizations and contexts from a communication perspective.

  • The Public Relations concentration prepares students for positions as professional, strategic communicators in many different organizations. Students are provided with a balance of technical communication skills and theoretical knowledge.
  • The Communication Studies concentration prepares students for positions as professional communicators in both the private and public sectors. Students may focus on either corporate communication or public advocacy.