COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication at Southeast Missouri State University is a 48-hour major designed to build advanced skills in interpersonal, intercultural, and public communication. The program focuses on how people create meaning, influence others, and navigate communication in social, cultural, organizational, and political contexts.The curriculum begins with foundational coursework in oral communication, interpersonal communication, and communication research. These courses help students develop essential skills in speaking, listening, analyzing messages, and understanding how communication is studied academically. Students then move into more specialized areas such as intercultural communication, argumentation and problem solving, gender communication, and the rhetoric of images, which examines how visual media influences perception and meaning.A strong emphasis is placed on critical thinking, ethics, and theory. Courses such as communication theory and research, ethics of dialogue and deliberation, and persuasion help students understand how communication shapes opinions, decision-making, and public discourse. Students also study social issues and diversity through courses like social problems in contemporary society and cultural and social diversity, which broaden their understanding of communication in real-world contexts.To personalize their degree, students choose electives in areas such as speech writing, political communication, leadership for social change, public relations campaigns, or an internship. These options allow students to apply communication skills in professional or research-based settings.The program culminates in a senior-level experience such as a research project, internship, or applied communication course, giving students hands-on experience and preparing them for careers or graduate study.Overall, this communication major prepares graduates for careers in public relations, media, advocacy, corporate communication, social services, government, education, and organizational leadership. It builds strong analytical, writing, speaking, and problem-solving skills that are highly valued across many industries.