COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in communication with an open emphasis at Wichita State University is a 120-credit-hour degree designed to give students maximum flexibility in shaping their academic and career direction while still building a strong foundation in communication theory, media skills, and professional practice. Students must maintain a minimum 2.500 GPA overall and within the major and complete at least 39 credit hours in communication coursework, including 12 credit hours in a required communication core and at least 27 credit hours in a self-designed open emphasis area chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor. The core courses—COMM 205 Visual Technologies, COMM 206 Introduction to Multimedia, COMM 301 Writing for the Mass Audience, and COMM 350 Communication Strategy for the Mass Audience—develop essential skills in media production, writing for broad audiences, and strategic communication planning. Beyond the core, students select additional theoretical courses such as Communication Research and Inquiry, Media Analytics and Audience Behavior, Communication Law and Responsibility, and Historical and Theoretical Issues in Communication, ensuring they gain both analytical depth and awareness of how communication functions in society and media systems. A defining feature of this program is the open emphasis itself, which allows students to design 18 credit hours of focused study aligned with their interests—whether in media, journalism, public relations, digital communication, politics, business communication, or interdisciplinary combinations with other fields. Students also complete an additional communication elective such as internships, cooperative education, practicum experiences, or applied capstone projects, providing real-world exposure and professional development. The broader degree structure includes general education requirements and LAS competency courses through the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, which strengthen writing, critical thinking, cultural understanding, and analytical reasoning. Open electives help students complete the 120-credit requirement while further personalizing their education. Overall, the program emphasizes both academic flexibility and applied learning, preparing graduates with adaptable communication skills, practical experience, and interdisciplinary knowledge suited for a wide range of careers or advanced study in communication-related fields.