Major

Communication Arts and Sciences (CAS) provides its students with the skills and insights most desired by employers. Communication skills, cultural sensitivity, ability to do quantitative and qualitative analysis while problem solving, adaptability, ability to lead and to follow, and open-mindedness are all fundamental to the CAS curriculum.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts

To become a major, students must have a minimum of third semester classification and a minimum 2.0 GPA. For the Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts and Sciences (at University Park), a minimum of 123 credits is required, of which a total of 36-39 credits must be taken in fulfillment of the requirements for the major.

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the major. Below is the recommended academic plan given by semester with the number of credits and general education codes.

Required Courses

  • CAS 101N: Introduction to Human Communication
  • CAS 301: Rhetorical Theory
  • CAS 303: Communication Theory
  • CAS 304: Quantitative Methods for Communication Research
  • CAS 311: Methods of Rhetorical Criticism

Additional Courses

Select 9 credits from the following list of courses:

  • CAS 203: Interpersonal Communication
  • CAS 210: Landmark Speeches on Democracy and Dissent:
  • CAS 215: Argumentation
  • CAS 220: Persuasion

Supported Courses and Related Areas

Select 15 credits of other CAS courses; at least 12 credits must be at the 400 level. A maximum of 3 credits from CAS 494, CAS 495, CAS 496, and CAS 499 may satisfy this requirement. CAS 126 and CAS 195 may not be counted as part of the major.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science

To become a major, students must have a minimum of third semester classification and a minimum 2.0 GPA. For the Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Arts and Science, a minimum of 123 credits is required, of which a total of 54 credits must be taken in fulfillment of the requirements for the major.

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the major. Below is the recommended academic plan given by semester with the number of credits and general education codes.

Required Courses

  • CAS 101N: Introduction to Human Communication
  • CAS 301: Rhetorical Theory
  • CAS 303: Communication Theory
  • CAS 304: Quantitative Methods for Communication Research
  • CAS 311: Methods of Rhetorical Criticism

Additional Courses

Select 9 credits from the following list of courses:

  • CAS 203: Interpersonal Communication
  • CAS 210: Landmark Speeches on Democracy and Dissent:
  • CAS 215: Argumentation
  • CAS 220: Persuasion

Supported Courses and Related Areas

Select 12 credits in quantification from the following list:

Select 15 credits of other CAS courses; at least 12 credits must be at the 400 level. A maximum of 3 credits from CAS 494, CAS 495, CAS 496, and CAS 499 may satisfy this requirement. CAS 126 and CAS 195 may not be counted as part of the major.