Mar 28, 2024  
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2019-2020 
    
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Communication Studies, B.A.


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Student Learning Outcomes


Upon completing the Communication Studies degree, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate subject matter knowledge of the communication studies discipline, including:
    • The history of the discipline;
    • The nature of theory and its role in the study and practice of human communication; and
    • The foundational theoretical concepts from multiple sub-disciplines within the major.
  2. Express ideas and relay information using conventions and forms appropriate to the intended audience.
  3. Test or generate new knowledge using research methods appropriate to the communication studies discipline.
  4. Articulate the relationship among disciplinary subject matter, research methodologies and one or more non-academic contexts.
  5. Demonstrate the value of multiple theoretical, pedagogical, and socio-cultural perspectives.
  6. Collaborate effectively and ethically in group problem-solving and decision-making situations.
  7. Demonstrate and value respectful engagement with individual and group differences in interactions with all others.
  8. Apply ethical standard to communication practices across multiple contexts.
  9. Apply communication principles in service of justice for self, others, and society.
  10. Innovate, justify, and enact solutions based on: inquiry, discernment, evidence, and analysis.
  11. Demonstrate and value the pursuit of ethical actions through critical reason and reflection.
  12. Demonstrate and value a self-reflexive approach to the study and practice of communication.

Potential Career Pathways


A degree in Communication Studies (CMST) from Loyola Marymount University provides students with the opportunity to develop essential skills–Writing, Oral Communication, Critical Thinking, and Teamwork–that are in high demand in today’s challenging and ever-changing world.

CMST students take a variety of courses that allow for both depth and breadth of study. We feature a rigorous Internship Practicum course for our juniors and seniors. CMST students often pursue minors in fields such as business, journalism, political science, or the arts to complement their CMST coursework.

With careful academic planning, CMST graduates are prepared for a variety of entry-level positions emphasizing both internal and external communication management across corporate, nonprofit, and/or public fields.

Below are a few of those fields:

  • Campaign Strategy
  • Corporate and Non-profit Communication
  • Social Media Management
  • Training and Development
  • Development/Fundraising
  • Human Resources
  • Public Relations, Advertising, Sales, and Marketing

Our graduates often successfully pursue additional education, including advanced degrees, in a variety of academic fields. These fields include:

  • Communication Studies and related fields
  • Mediation/Conflict Resolution
  • Media Studies
  • Education
  • Law
  • Business

Major Requirements: (44 semester hours) (CMST)


Lower Division Requirements:


(24 semester hours of lower division coursework)

Upper Division Requirements:


(20 semester hours of upper division coursework)

Four (4) advanced topics courses selected from among a list of approved 3000-level courses:


CMST 3100-3195, CMST 3200-3295, CMST 3300-3395, CMST 3400-3495, CMST 3500-3595, CMST 3600-3695, CMST 3700-3795, CMST 3800-3895. 4 semester hours each course

[Course offerings and topics will vary each semester]

One (1) Senior Capstone course from among a list of approved 4000-level courses:


CMST 4100-4195, CMST 4200-4295, CMST 4300-4395, CMST 4400-4495, CMST 4500-4595, CMST 4700-4795. 4 semester hours.

[Course offerings and topics will vary each semester.]

Note:

The department does offer additional courses that count as University Electives but do not satisfy CMST major requirements. Students should select courses carefully to ensure that all major requirements are being met.

Communication Studies Model Four-Year Plan


Freshman Year


Fall Semester


Total: 13-16 semester hours (see Note 1)

Spring Semester


Total: 13-16 semester hours (see Note 1)

Sophomore Year


Fall Semester


  • 4 semester hours or
  • CMST 2X00 4 semester hours (see Note 2)
  •  

  • CMST 2X00 4 semester hours (see Note 2)
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
Total: 14-16 semester hours (see Note 1)

Spring Semester


  • 4 semester hours or
  • CMST 2X00 4 semester hours (see Note 2)
  •  

  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • Lower Division Elective 3-4 semester hours
Total: 13-16 semester hours (see Note 1)

Junior Year


Fall Semester


  • CMST 2X00 4 semester hours (see Note 2)
  • CMST 3XXX 4 semester hours (see Note 3)
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • Upper Division Elective 3-4 semester hours
Total: 14-16 semester hours (see Note 1)

Spring Semester


  • CMST 3XXX 4 semester hours (see Note 3)
  • CMST 3XXX 4 semester hours (see Note 3)
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • Upper Division Elective 3-4 semester hours
Total: 14-16 semester hours (see Note 1)

Senior Year


Fall Semester


  • CMST 3XXX 4 semester hours (see Note 3) or
  • CMST 4XXX 4 semester hours (see Note 4)

 

  • University Core 3-4 semester hours or
  • Upper Division Elective 3-4 semester hours

 

  • University Core 3-4 semester hours or
  • Upper Division Elective 3-4 semester hours

 

  • University Core 3-4 semester hours or
  • Upper Division Elective 3-4 semester hours

 

Total: 13-16 semester hours (see Note 1)

Spring Semester


  • CMST 3XXX 4 semester hours (see Note 3) or
  • CMST 4XXX 4 semester hours (see Note 4)
     
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours or
  • Upper Division Elective 3-4 semester hours

  • University Core 3-4 semester hours or
  • Upper Division Elective 3-4 semester hours

 

  • University Core 3-4 semester hours or
  • Upper Division Elective 3-4 semester hours
Total: 13-16 semester hours (see Note 1)

Notes


This is a sample schedule. The sequence of courses may vary slightly among students and students are expected to consult with their academic advisors each semester.

Note 1:

Students are required to take a total of 124 semester hours to complete their degree in Communication Studies. Because semester hours for courses may vary, students should work closely with their academic advisor to ensure that they take an average of 16 hours a semester across all semesters. In some semesters students may need to take an additional course or courses.

Note 2:

Students are required to take three (3) courses from the following list: CMST 2100 CMST 2200 CMST 2300 CMST 2400 , or CMST 2500 .

Note 3:

Students are required to take four (4) courses from the following list: CMST 3100-3195, CMST 3200-3295, CMST 3300-3395, CMST 3400-3495, CMST 3500-3595, CMST 3600-3695, CMST 3700-3795, CMST 3800-3895.

Note 4:

Students are required to select a Senior Capstone Course from the following list: CMST 4100-4195, CMST 4200-4295, CMST 4300-4395, CMST 4400-4495, CMST 4500-4595, CMST 4700-4795.

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