Jun 16, 2025  
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Communication Studies Major, B.A.

Communication Studies majors develop the skills and abilities necessary to succeed in a wide variety of contexts - from professional life to personal relationships, personal growth to community building, promoting diversity and yourself. Students choose one of these for concentrations for their degree plan: Generalist; Organizational Communication; Rhetoric, Ethics, and Social Justice; and Strategic Relationship Maintenance. To effectively tailor the degree to your personal and professional goals, elective courses should be selected in consultation with a Communication Arts and Sciences advisor.

CAS 1010 - Public Speaking  is required for CAS majors and minors but does not count towards the total number of hours needed for the major (42) or the minor (21). Majors selecting the “Generalist” concentration will be required to take CAS 1710 - Interpersonal Communication  to meet General Studies or program requirements. These two courses fulfill the MSU Denver General Studies Oral Communication requirement.

A senior experience course is required for all students in each track and will be selected in consultation with a department faculty advisor.

Internships, variable topics courses, and independent studies may be taken in each of the program areas.

A grade of “C-” or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the bachelor’s degree. Students should note that programs differ in minimum grade requirements.

Basic Core Requirements

All majors in CAS must take these four courses. You may complete CAS 1301 prior to or at the same time as you take CAS 2301. To register for CAS 3301 or 4301, you must have first taken CAS 4301 or have received the instructor’s permission.

Strategic Relationship Maintenance Concentration

The Strategic Relationship Maintenance Concentration prepares students to excel in personal, professional, and public life by developing skills for improving relationships, connecting with others, and diagnosing communication problems.

Credits required for major: 42

Basic Core

All Communication Studies majors must complete the 12 credit hour ‘basic core requirements’ described above.

Subtotal: 12 credits

Required Courses

Students in the Strategic Relationship Maintenance Concentration must take these courses.

Subtotal: 15 credits

Elective Courses

You can choose any 15 Communication Studies (CAS) credit hours as elective courses. These may include courses listed above as options for the concentration’s requirements. Consult with a faculty advisor to select courses, especially from the following list of recommended electives.

Subtotal: 15 credits

Organizational Communication Concentration

Organizational Communication graduates are experts in leadership, collaboration, and organizational development. Students develop skills essential for success in 21st Century organizations: communicating clearly, managing complexity, teamwork, problem solving, and more.

Credits required for major: 42

Basic Core

All Communication Studies majors must complete the 12 credit hour ‘basic core requirements’ described above.

Subtotal: 12 credits

Required Courses

The following courses are required of all Organizational Communication students.

​Subtotal: 15 credits

Elective Courses

You can choose any 15 Communication Studies (CAS) credit hours as elective courses. Consult with a faculty advisor to select courses, especially from the following list of recommended electives.

Subtotal: 15 credits

Rhetoric, Ethics and Social Justice Concentration

The Rhetoric, Ethics, and Social Justice Concentration enhances students’ ability to craft effective messages, connect with diverse audiences and individuals, persuade, and lead positive change.

Credits required for major: 42

Basic Core

All Communication Studies majors must complete the 12 credit hour ‘basic core requirements’ described above.

Subtotal: 12 credits

Required Courses

Students in the Rhetoric, Ethics, and Social Justice Concentration must take these courses.

Subtotal: 15 credits

Elective Courses

You can choose any 15 Communication Studies (CAS) credit hours as elective courses. These may include courses listed above as options for the concentration’s requirements. Consult with a faculty advisor to select courses, especially from the following list of recommended electives.

Subtotal: 15 credits​

Generalist Concentration

Students selecting this concentration develop a uniquely broad base of communication knowledge and skill. The required courses are taught frequently and often taught online, maximizing schedule adaptability. Students can enhance their studies by consulting with a department advisor about courses related to these themes: communication systems, culture and society, or identity and relationships.

Credits required for major: 42

Basic Core

All Communication Studies majors must complete the 12 credit hour ‘basic core requirements’ described above.

Subtotal: 12 credits

Required Courses

Students in the Generalist Concentration must take these courses.

Subtotal: 12 credits

Elective Courses

You can choose any 18 Communication Studies (CAS) credit hours as elective courses. Consult with a faculty advisor to select courses, especially from the following list of recommended electives.

Subtotal: 18 credits​