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School of Communication -
Undergraduate
www.miami.edu/com
INTRODUCTION
The School of Communication offers courses in nine Programs of Study leading to the degree Bachelor of Science in Communication. The programs are Advertising, Public Relations, Journalism, Motion Pictures, Communication Studies, Electronic Media, Media Management, Broadcast Journalism, and Visual Journalism. The School also offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication in Visual Communication. The degrees Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy are available in the School; these degrees are under the supervision of the Dean of the Graduate School and the Faculty Council on Graduate Studies.
Classroom, studio and research studies are complemented with practical experience. On-campus television, radio, cable, motion picture studios and multimedia labs are available for academic and extra-curricular student projects. Visual Journalism students utilize contemporary digital imaging technology. Motion picture production, digital editing, recording, and mixing facilities are available. Electronic Media and Broadcast Journalism students use studio and remote digital technology. New media technology is incorporated throughout the curriculum and the school houses several computer labs and digital classrooms.
The School houses two video-conference centers with simultaneous translation capability and broadcast quality interactive capability for remote interviews and programming. The School also houses a broadcast uplink studio allowing broadcast-quality interaction with remote sites. Under Communication faculty supervision, students use the University’s digital cable TV studio facilities and its Cable Channel, and may gain experience with the Coral Gables cable TV system. The University’s FM stereo radio station and student newspapers and magazines offer additional opportunities for career development. The Bill Cosford Cinema, a 250-seat motion picture theatre, supports the motion picture program and offers programming for the community in connection with the Raymond J. Regis Motion Picture Archive consisting of over 2000 original prints of classic motion pictures.
The School’s Knight Center for International Media supports innovative research and development dedicated to the broadest spectrum of interdisciplinary communication study. The Center has produced a variety of special projects including documentary motion pictures, specialized research and global issue oriented faculty/student initiatives. Two endowed Knight Chairs bring experienced and international perspective to the School’s research and learning experience.
The School sponsors a nationally competitive intercollegiate debate team, which annually produces several members of the All American Debate team. In addition the School supports student chapters of the American Advertising Association, the Public Relations Society of America, the Society of Professional Journalists, National Broadcasting Society and other professional organizations.
Internships in professional settings are available to Communication students at the junior and senior levels. Professionals at daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, news bureaus, cable systems, radio and television stations, and motion picture studios cooperate in the faculty-supervised internships. Executives of city and county governments, advertising agencies, public relations counseling firms, and private business and nonprofit organizations join in providing internship opportunities.
MISSION
The School of Communication is dedicated to a global educational perspective and is committed to providing a socially responsible and ethically grounded learning environment guided by a diverse faculty of scholars, artists and professionals. The School is committed to quality undergraduate and graduate programs in communication that emphasize the relationship between theory and practice. We believe in freedom of expression and creativity, and encourage both collaboration and independent thinking as we prepare future scholars, professionals and leaders for a lifetime of service and learning. The objectives of the School are to develop the student’s understanding and appreciation of communication theory, art, and science; to improve the student’s awareness of the pervasive role of communication in society; and to enhance the student’s communication skills.
ACCREDITATION
The School’s programs in Advertising; Electronic Media, Broadcast Journalism and Media Management; Journalism, Public Relations and Visual Journalism are accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Stauffer-Flint Hall, 1435 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 66045-7575.
ACADEMIC POLICIES
Admission to Major
A student entering the School of Communication as a freshman or as a transfer will enroll in Communication pre-major status. Candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Communication who have achieved sophomore standing and have satisfactorily completed the entrance requirements of one of the Communication majors (see Program Statements) will be admitted to major status in their chosen specific program of the School.
Internal Transfer into the School of Communication
A student enrolled at the University of Miami in a school or college other than the School of Communication may apply for admission into the School of Communication. Applications are accepted every fall and spring semester. A minimum overall grade point average of 2.5 is necessary for consideration. Applications are available in the Admissions, Academic & Alumni Services Office of the School of Communication and must be submitted prior to the end of classes in either the fall or spring semester. Admission decisions will be made promptly after semester grades are final. Students will be notified in writing of the School’s decision.
Transfer Students
A transfer student must complete in residence a minimum of 15 credits toward a Communication major or a minimum of 9 credits toward a Communication minor. Courses taken elsewhere in Communication or related disciplines are not automatically accepted for a major at the University of Miami. Students who have obtained the written approval of the head of a Communication major to use transfer credit to satisfy one or more requirements of that major may be required to complete additional courses in residence at the University before being admitted to that major. Students should consult a School of Communication advisor to determine whether the transfer of Communication courses will increase beyond 120 the total number of credits required for a degree. In general, transfer credit will not be accepted to satisfy requirements for any course in any major or minor at the 300 level or above. In addition, transfer credits will not be accepted to satisfy requirements for CNJ 216 News Reporting and Writing. Student petitions to transfer credit from ACEJMC-accredited or other accredited programs will be considered on an individual basis.
Transfer credit may not be used to satisfy requirements for any major in Communication without the written approval of the heads of the programs concerned.
Academic Progress & Probation/Dismissal
Students must maintain a quality point average of 2.5 or higher in courses taken in residence and submitted for their School of Communication major. Following the first semester in which any student’s average in the major falls below a 2.5, the School may issue a warning to that student that his or her work does not meet School expectations. Should that student’s QPA in the major be below a 2.5 in any subsequent semester, he or she may be placed on Academic Probation. The School may dismiss from the University any student who is on probation a total of two semesters (not necessarily consecutive). A student who has completed 60 University credits while enrolled in the School of Communication but who has not demonstrated computer competence by passing the major’s computer competency requirement will be dismissed from the School. A student who has completed 45 University credits while enrolled in the School but who has not been admitted to one of the Communication majors may be dismissed from the School. A student who has completed 60 University credits while enrolled in the School but who has not been admitted to one of the Communication majors will be dismissed from the School. A student who has been dismissed from the School may apply for admission to one of the other Schools or Colleges within the University but will not later be readmitted to the School of Communication. Those who wish to appeal their probation or dismissal must do so in writing to the Dean within 30 days of the notice of probation or dismissal. See also GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING, WARNING, PROBATION, AND DISMISSAL, in this Bulletin.
Transfer
A transfer student from another university or another division of the University of Miami may apply for the B.F.A. program at the beginning of his or her junior year. Transfer students will be advised that the completion of B.F.A. requirements may entail an additional semester or more of course work to satisfy requirements.
Internship Credit
Students will be permitted no more than three credits in School of Communication Internship toward their 39- or 45-credit majors or toward their 120-credit University degree.
Credit Hours and Advanced Placement Credit
Credits may be earned through Advanced Placement, CLEP Examinations, and Advanced Placement by Proficiency Examinations. These credits may be applied to the appropriate Required Areas of Study or as electives except: (1) where prohibited by a specific program area; or (2) if the course is remedial (e.g., ENG 103, MTH 099); or (3) as limited
by the following: To earn credit toward the 66 credits required in the College of Arts and Sciences, and toward the 120 credits required for graduation, each student must pay a recording fee and have exempted course credits entered on his or her University transcript. An exemption may be granted for ENG 105 by the Department of English, but this exemption will not earn credit to be applied toward the 66 credits required in the College of Arts and Sciences or toward the 120 University credits required for graduation.
Grade Point Average
A candidate for the B.S. in Communication must complete the credit hours and achieve the quality point average specified for students in the University at large as stated in the section titled ACADEMIC PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION, subject to additional requirements specified in School and Program sections of this Bulletin.
Areas of Study
In applying these requirements to his or her course of study, each student must carefully read School of Communication program and major requirements that follow. In many cases, these requirements will be more restrictive and more specific in describing how each of these Required Areas of Study is to be satisfied.
DEGREE PROGRAMS
The School of Communication offers courses in nine Programs of Study leading to the degree Bachelor of Science in Communication. The programs are Advertising, Public Relations, Journalism, Motion Pictures, Communication Studies, Electronic Media, Media Management, Broadcast Journalism, and Visual Journalism. The School also offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication in Visual Communication.
MINORS
The School of Communication offers minors in each of its nine Programs of Study.
CONCENTRATIONS
Each degree program offers concentrations or tracks of study in specialty areas. See the individual program sections for details on these concentrations.
Requirements for Graduation
Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication
Required University General Education Requirements
A. AREAS OF PROFICIENCY
Proficiency requirements are intended to ensure that students either already possess, or will develop at the University, the ability to express themselves effectively, to use mathematics with facility, and to reason cogently. Superior scores on the SAT or ACT examinations may waive students from ENG 105 (requirement 1) and superior placement test scores administered by the Department of Mathematics may waive students from MTH 101 (requirement 2), but not from requirement 3.
1. English Composition 3 credits
Students fulfill this requirement by satisfactorily completing English 105 and English 106 or its equivalent. Appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) scores in English composition may be used to satisfy the English 105/106 requirement. An appropriate score on the SAT or ACT verbal examination may earn a student exemption from, but not credit in, ENG 105.
Appropriate scores on other tests determined by the Department of English may earn a student exemption from, but not credit in, English 105.
Courses satisfying the English Composition requirement may not be used to fulfill the Writing Across the Curriculum Required Area of Study.
2. Mathematics 3 credits
Students fulfill this requirement by satisfactorily completing a course in mathematics numbered above MTH 101 (excluding MTH 107 and MTH 119), or MAS 110, or an approved course in statistics. Exemption from the mathematics requirement or placement in prerequisite courses is based on any of the following tests: AP, IB, or an examination administered by the Department of Mathematics during orientation.
3. Writing Across the Curriculum (W) 5 courses
Courses satisfying this requirement are those designated as involving a substantial amount of writing and the preparation of papers that are corrected for diction, syntax, style, and content. Some courses satisfying this Writing Across the Curriculum requirement will simultaneously fulfill a requirement under B. Areas of Knowledge (below).
B. Areas of Knowledge
These requirements are designed to help students understand and appreciate the intellectual achievements in major areas of human inquiry and creative endeavor. In satisfying these requirements students will explore the natural world, examine human development and behavior, and appreciate creative expression in the arts, literature, and philosophy.
No more than six credit hours may be taken in any one department to satisfy the areas of knowledge requirement. Most courses above the 100-level require pre-requisites.
Natural World (6 credits) Courses in the following areas: Biology; Chemistry; Ecosystems Science and Policy; Geological Sciences; Marine Science; Physics; Physical Science; and the following courses: Anthropology 203; Geography 120; First Year Seminars in the Natural Sciences 190-199.
People and Society (6 credits) Courses in the following areas: Africana Studies; American Studies (AMS); Anthropology except APY 203); Economics; Educational Psychology; Geography (except GEG 120); History; International Studies; Judaic Studies (JUS); Political Sciences; Psychology; Sociology; Teaching and Learning; Women and Gender Studies (WOS), and the following courses: CEM 102; COM 101; COM 110; COS 112; COS 336; COS 472; First Year Seminars in the Social Sciences.
Arts and Humanities (12 credits) Courses in the following areas: American Studies (AMH); Architecture; Music; Art and Art History; Judaic Studies (JUH); Motion Pictures; Theatre Arts; English (200-level or above except ENG 208); Foreign Languages and Literatures (300-level or above); Philosophy; Religious Studies; and the following courses: COS 211; DAN 250; First Year Seminars in the Arts and Humanities FFA 190-199. Students who do not have a separate foreign language requirement may use foreign language courses numbered at the 100 or 200 level to satisfy part of the arts and humanities requirement, if the language differs from the student’s native language and if, when beginning with a 101-level course, they also take the 102-level course in the same language.
Majors/Minors
Students majoring or minoring in the School of Communication must complete a School of Communication course with a grade of C or higher (a grade of C- or lower is not acceptable) before taking another course for which the first course is a prerequisite.
Major/Minor Requirements
The major in the School of Communication 39 to 45 credits
A major in the School of Communication leading to a Bachelor of Science in Communication requires 39 or 45 credits in School of Communication courses specified in Program statements (below). Each course within the 39- or 45-credit major must be completed with a grade of C or higher (a grade of C- or lower is not acceptable). In addition, students must maintain a quality point average of 2.5 or higher in courses taken in residence and submitted for their School of Communication 39- or 45-credit majors.
Students majoring in Advertising, Public Relations, Journalism, Visual Journalism, Electronic Media, Broadcast Journalism, and Media Management will be permitted no more than 30 credits in all these areas and in Motion Pictures, whether earned at the University of Miami or elsewhere, toward their 120-credit University degrees. Courses in these areas hereafter designated Mass Communication courses in this Bulletin, do not include COM 101, COM 110 or COM 250.
Students majoring in Motion Pictures will be permitted no more than 36 credits in Mass Communication courses, whether taken at the University of Miami or elsewhere, toward their 120-credit University degrees.
Students majoring in Communication Studies will be permitted no more than 36 credits of courses in these areas of study, whether taken at the University of Miami or elsewhere, toward their 120-credit University degrees.
Students who exceed the 30 or 36-credit limits set forth above must complete a like number of credits more than the 120 credits normally required for a University degree.
The second major 24 to 40 credits
Each Communication student, in addition to completing requirements for a Communication major (below), must choose a second major field in the University curriculum. To find the requirements for such a major, consult this Bulletin and confer with the appropriate department representative. School of Communication Advisors will aid students in identifying the appropriate representative. The candidate for a Communication degree may choose from among any of the disciplines offering majors for which they may qualify and complete the major’s requirements.
The choice of the second major should be made no later than the beginning of the junior year and must be approved by the discipline concerned. Each Communication student will be required, by the time he or she has earned 72 credits, to submit to his or her Communication advisor a statement of courses and other requirements for the chosen major. This statement must be signed by the second major’s program head concerned, or by the head’s representative. Any student making unsatisfactory progress in the second major subject may be required to change majors or to relinquish candidacy for the Communication degree.
Unless Communication Program statements otherwise restrict, a maximum of six credits may count toward both a second major and the Required Areas of Study in the School of Communication (above); see Program Statements.
Minors
A minor is not required for a Bachelor of Science degree candidate in the School of Communication. A student who wishes to complete a minor offered by any program in the University in addition to the major in Communication and second major must consult the School of Communication Admissions, Academic & Alumni Services Office. A student who wishes to take a minor as well as a major in Communication must take into account the credit limits in area courses specified above.
The School offers minors for students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences and for other students who require minors in their programs.
- A student minoring in the general area of Communication must complete 15 credits at least six of which must be at the 300 level or above.
- Courses taken for this minor must be approved in advance through the School’s advising system in the office of Admissions, Academic & Alumni Services.
- Other minors are in Advertising Communication, Public Relations, Journalism, Motion Pictures, Communication Studies, and Electronic Media; see Program statements.
- Each course submitted for a Communication minor must be completed with a grade of C or higher (a grade of C- or lower is not acceptable).
Upper Division Credits Minimum of 36 credits
In earning a Bachelor of Science in Communication or a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication, each School of Communication student must complete a minimum of 36 credits of course work at the 300 level or above. Upper division courses taken in Required Areas of Study, in the School of Communication major, in the second major, and as general electives will count toward this 36-credit minimum requirement. Upper division transfer credits also apply.
Electives
Only Free Elective courses may be taken under the University’s Credit Only option (see CREDIT ONLY OPTION, this Bulletin). Free Electives are defined as courses not taken to fulfill the requirements of the major within the School of Communication, of the second major, or of the School’s Required Areas of Study (i.e., General Distribution requirements). Free Electives are Courses taken not to meet any of the above requirements or their prerequisites, but taken solely to meet the requirement of a total of 66 credits in Arts and Sciences or the requirement of a total of 120 credits for the degree.
General electives Sufficient for a minimum total of 120 credits
Electives in the University must be completed sufficient for a minimum total of 120 credits. Electives may be chosen from any courses offered by the University except certain unapproved courses such as Dance 101, 102, 103; and activity courses offered by the School of Education; students should consult a School of Communication advisor before selecting elective courses. General electives may be taken in any School of College outside of the School of Communication. Excess credits in Communication will increase the total amount of credits required for graduation. Because specific courses are required in some School of Communication majors, students are advised to read Program statements carefully and seek the advice of a School of Communication advisor prior to taking general University electives.
Electives in the Liberal Arts and Sciences
Sufficient for a total of 66 College credits
Students must earn a total of 66 credits in the liberal arts and sciences, including those credits earned in Required Areas of Study, in the second major, in electives in the College of Arts and Sciences, in courses in the departments of Economics and Political Science, in courses in the School of Music, and in COM/COS courses 110, 211, and 333. Some majors require specific courses; see Program Statements.
SCHEDULES
Fifteen or sixteen credits constitute a normal semester schedule in the School of Communication. Students who wish to register for more than sixteen credits must obtain prior approval. Students who are on academic probation will be limited to a maximum of thirteen credits.
Double Counting
No course may be used to satisfy the requirements of more than one major or of a major and a minor. Three Communication core courses (see Program Statements) but no other courses submitted for a student’s Communication major may be used also to satisfy School of Communication Required Areas of Study requirements. Unless Communication Program statements otherwise restrict: (a) a course taken to satisfy Additional Requirements of a student’s major (and which appears on the list of courses accepted in satisfaction of School Required Areas of Study) may also be used to satisfy a School Required Areas of Study requirement; and (b) a maximum of six credits may count toward both a second major and the School Required Areas of Study. The foregoing notwithstanding, any course designated as a Writing course, whether taken to fulfill a major, minor, Additional Requirements, or Required Areas of Study requirement, or as an elective, may also be applied to the Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
First Year Seminars
An approved First Year Seminar may satisfy one of the School Required Areas of Study requirements. Consult the School of Communication Academic Services Office.
Aerospace Studies and Military Science
A maximum of six credits of Aerospace Studies and Military Science courses at the 300 level or above may count toward the 120-credit University degree but only as general elective credit and not as general Arts and Sciences credit or for School Required Areas of Study credit.
Additional program requirements
Most programs in the School require a student, in order to obtain the School’s Bachelor of Science degree, to complete specified courses in addition to those 13 or 15 courses that comprise the majors. These courses may, in some cases, fulfill requirements in Required Areas of Study or in the second major, or may be electives in the College of Arts and Sciences or general electives in the University. In completing these additional course requirements, passing grades (D or better) are usually acceptable. If a grade of C or better is required in any additional course or courses beyond the 39- or 45-credit School of Communication major, program statements will so state. Read program statements carefully. Do not register for courses without a program advisor’s signed approval.
HONORS
School of Communication students may graduate with School Honors in Communication noted upon their diplomas and transcripts. Students should contact the School’s Office of Admissions, Academic & Alumni Services (2037 Wolfson Building) for details.
Students may receive recognition as graduates cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude if they meet the requirements set forth under GRADUATION HONORS in this Bulletin.
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