Communication BA / Communication MS
Major: Communication
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Total Credit Hours: 225.0
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Five years); Two Co-op (Five years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 09.0199
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 11-2011
About the Program
The ability to communicate effectively is one of the most sought-after skills by prospective employers industry wide. Drexel University is committed to building this strong foundation through the Accelerated Communication Degree, which enables academically qualified students to earn both a bachelor's and master’s degree — graduating sooner than they would in traditional programs. Graduates of the accelerated degree enter the workforce one year sooner with the benefits of a master’s degree in communication, using the year saved to gain full-time experience and earn a salary in the field.
The BA in Communication program requires 180.0 UG credits, and is committed to helping students become broadly educated and professionally competent communicators. Students are exposed to a variety of media and are guided in the development of their interpretive and expressive skills. Students may complete the BA in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations, Journalism or open Communication. Independent of their chosen concentration, all BA in Communication majors take a common core of courses that emphasize communication theory and methods, as well as a modern language.
Students in the Public Relations concentration take courses and pursue careers in public relations, event planning, media relations, social media, and corporate communication. Journalism students take courses and pursue careers as reporters, copywriters, editors, and media specialists. Students in the open Communication concentration have the flexibility of crafting their path through the major and thus have career possibilities in any of the areas listed here.
Drexel’s MS in Communication program requires 45.0 graduate credits, and prepares students for careers in a wide range of professional activities. The program specializes in three areas:
- public communication
- technical communication
- science and health communication
Public Communication
Public Communication has much to offer those looking to work in journalism, public relations, and nonprofit organizations. Students can choose from courses such as Strategic Social Media Communication, Event Planning, Journalism and News Writing, Public Relations Writing and Campaign Planning, and Nonprofit Communication.
Technical Communication
Technical Communication provides skills in technical writing, editing, and computer documentation, and trains students for careers in a wide range of industries from social networking to publishing to health insurance. Students choose from courses such as Technical Writing, Digital Publishing, Technical & Science Editing, and Technical Documentation & Software.
Science and Health Communication
Science and Health Communication leads to careers in medical, science, and pharmaceutical communication. Students can choose from courses such as Science Writing, Medical Journalism, Campaigns in Health & Environment, and Communicating Health and Risk in a 'Fake News' World.
In addition, the program provides a strong foundation in ethics and theoretical approaches to communication. This theoretical basis is designed to ensure that, as the field changes, students will continue to have an intellectual framework for evaluating and implementing new technology and changing media.
The program emphasizes flexibility, encouraging each student, in consultation with an academic advisor, to craft a particular course of study. Throughout the curriculum, students may use electives to increase communication skills or to further develop areas of specialization. The Master's degree requires a total of 45.0 graduate credits.
Admission Requirements
Both incoming freshman and current Communication majors are eligible to apply for this program. Students who are already matriculated may apply after completing a minimum of 90.0 credits but no more than 120.0 credits. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and maintain this GPA throughout the accelerated program.
In addition to formally applying and getting all the signatures required on the Accelerated Degree Program Admission form, applicants must provide:
- A 500-word statement of goals that explains why they want to enroll in the accelerated degree program.
- The name of a faculty reference who can speak to the applicant’s academic qualifications and preparedness for graduate studies.
Degree Requirements
General Requirements | ||
CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
ENGL 101 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research | 3.0 |
or ENGL 111 | English Composition I | |
ENGL 102 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing | 3.0 |
or ENGL 112 | English Composition II | |
ENGL 103 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres | 3.0 |
or ENGL 113 | English Composition III | |
PSY 101 | General Psychology I | 3.0 |
UNIV H101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
UNIV H201 | Looking Forward: Academics and Careers | 1.0 |
COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development | 1.0 |
Two mathematics courses | 6.0-8.0 | |
Two science courses | 6.0-8.0 | |
Foreign language courses * | 8.0-12.0 | |
Humanities and fine arts | 12.0 | |
Social sciences | 9.0 | |
International studies | 6.0 | |
Studies in diversity | 6.0 | |
Communication Core Requirements | ||
Theory Sequence | ||
COM 101 | Human Communication | 3.0 |
COM 150 | Mass Media and Society | 3.0 |
COM 210 | Theory and Models of Communication | 3.0 |
COM 400 | Seminar in Communication | 3.0 |
LING 101 | Introduction to Linguistics | 3.0 |
or LING 102 | Language and Society | |
Methods Sequence | ||
COM 220 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3.0 |
COM 221 | Quantitative Research Methods in Communication | 3.0 |
or COM 284 | Public Relations Research, Measurement and Evaluation | |
Additional Core Requirements | ||
COM 222 | Interpersonal Communication | 3.0 |
COM 230 | Techniques of Speaking | 3.0 |
COM 240 | New Technologies In Communication | 3.0 |
COM 247 | Strategic Social Media in Communication | 3.0 |
COM 491 | Senior Project in Communication I | 3.0 |
COM 492 | Senior Project in Communication II | 3.0 |
PHIL 305 | Ethics and the Media | 3.0 |
Required Concentration Courses | ||
Select one of the following concentrations (Communication, Public Relations, or Journalism): | 31.0-45.0 | |
Communication | ||
Introduction to Journalism | ||
Public Relations Principles and Theory | ||
Advanced Journalism | ||
or COM 282 | Public Relations Writing | |
Technical Communication | ||
Two COM Electives at 300 level or higher | ||
Six COM Electives | ||
Public Relations | ||
Public Relations Principles and Theory | ||
Introduction to Journalism | ||
Public Relations Writing | ||
Public Relations Strategies and Tactics | ||
Digital Publishing | ||
or COM 340 | Modern Desktop Publishing | |
Public Relations Campaign Planning | ||
Introduction to Marketing Management | ||
Three COM Electives | ||
Journalism | ||
Introduction to Journalism | ||
Public Relations Principles and Theory | ||
Advanced Journalism | ||
Copy Editing for the Media | ||
Investigative Journalism | ||
Journalists, the Courts, and the Law | ||
TV News Writing | ||
Six COM Electives | ||
Free Electives | 38.0 | |
MS Communication Requirements | ||
Required Courses | ||
COM 500 | Reading & Research in Communication | 3.0 |
COM 610 | Theories of Communication and Persuasion | 3.0 |
COM 698 | Managing Communication Professional Identities in a Digital Age | 3.0 |
Graduate Electives** | 21.0 | |
Required Concentration Courses | 15.0 | |
Students must select and complete one of the following concentration options: | ||
Technical Communication | ||
Ethics for Technical, Science and Health Communication | ||
Choose four of the following: | ||
Technical Writing | ||
Document Design and Usability | ||
Digital Publishing | ||
Technical Documentation and Software | ||
Technical, Science and Health Editing | ||
Software Development | ||
Perspectives on Information Systems | ||
Science and Health Communication | ||
Ethics for Technical, Science and Health Communication | ||
Choose four of the following: | ||
Campaigns for Health and Environment | ||
Science Writing | ||
Technical, Science and Health Editing | ||
Medical Writing | ||
or COM 673 | Medical Journalism | |
Theory and Practice in Health Communication | ||
Public Communication | ||
Ethics for Professional Communication | ||
Choose four of the following: | ||
Modern Desktop Publishing | ||
Digital Publishing | ||
Strategic Social Media Communication | ||
Foundations of Public Relations | ||
Public Relations Writing *** | ||
Public Relations Planning *** | ||
Fundamentals of Journalism & Newswriting | ||
Event Planning | ||
Grant Writing | ||
Nonprofit Communications | ||
Telecommunications Regulation and Policy | ||
Investigative Journalism † | ||
Total Credits | 225.0-247.0 |
* | Students must complete at least 8 credits of a foreign language at Drexel and, at minimum, must complete the 103 level of the target language (or beyond if they place higher). |
** | Any appropriate graduate course offered in the University can serve as an elective if the student has sufficient background to take the course. In addition, the program offers its own elective courses including special topics (COM T580). Qualified students may also pursue independent study for elective credit in special cases. |
*** | To enroll in this class you must first earn a grade of "B" or better in COM 541 Foundations of Public Relations or get permission from the MS COM advisor to waive this requirement. |
† | To enroll in this class you must first earn a grade of "B" or better in COM 561 Fundamentals of Journalism & Newswriting or get permission from the MS COM advisor to waive this requirement. |
Writing-Intensive Course Requirements
In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.
A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.
Sample Plan of Study
4 Year, one Co-op (4COP) + 1
Students complete undergraduate requirements in four years, then convert to graduate status in the fifth and final year.
Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer).
COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.
First Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 101 | 3.0 | CIVC 101 | 1.0 | COM 181 or 160 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
COM 150 | 3.0 | COM 181 or 160 | 3.0 | COM 230 | 3.0 | ||
ENGL 101 or 111 | 3.0 | ENGL 102 or 112 | 3.0 | ENGL 103 or 113 | 3.0 | ||
PSY 101 | 3.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||
UNIV H101 | 1.0 | Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||
Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | ||||
17 | 17-18 | 15-16 | 0 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 210 | 3.0 | COM 220 | 3.0 | COM 221 or 284 | 3.0 | COOP 101 | 1.0 |
COM 222 | 3.0 | COM 247 | 3.0 | COM Elective or Free Elective | 3.0 | PHIL 305 | 3.0 |
COM Concentration Course | 3.0 | LING 101 or 102 | 3.0 | COM Concentration Course | 3.0 | COM Elective or Free Elective | 3.0 |
Science Course | 3.0-4.0 | COM Concentration Course | 3.0 | International Elective | 3.0 | COM Concentration Course | 3.0 |
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | Science Course | 3.0-4.0 | Social Science Elective | 3.0 | Free Elective | 2.0 |
Free Elective | 3.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | Diversity Elective | 3.0 |
18-19 | 18-19 | 18 | 15 | ||||
Third Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 240 | 3.0 | COM 610 | 3.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
COM 500 | 3.0 | Social Science Elective | 3.0 | ||||
UNIV H201 | 1.0 | International Elective | 3.0 | ||||
COM Concentration Course | 3.0 | Free Electives | 6.0 | ||||
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
COM Elective or Free Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
16 | 15 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Fourth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 400 | 3.0 | COM 491 | 3.0 | COM 492 | 3.0 | Students convert to Graduate | |
Diversity Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | ||
COM Elective Course | 3.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective or Free Elective | 3.0 | ||
COM Elective or Free Elective | 3.0 | Social Science Elective | 3.0 | Free Elective | 4.0 | ||
COM 613 or 612 | 3.0 | Graduate Concentration Core | 3.0 | Graduate Concentration Core | 3.0 | ||
Grad Concentration Core | 3.0 | Graduate Elective | 3.0 | Graduate Elective | 3.0 | ||
18 | 18 | 19 | 0 | ||||
Fifth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
COM 698 | 3.0 | Graduate Electives | 6.0 | Graduate Electives | 6.0 | ||
Grad Concentration Core | 3.0 | ||||||
Graduate Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
9 | 6 | 6 | |||||
Total Credits 225-229 |
5 Year, three Co-op (5COP) Co-terminal
Students take graduate courses while finishing their undergraduate requirements in the third, fourth, and fifth years. They receive both BA and MS at the end of the fifth year.
Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer).
COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.
First Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 101 | 3.0 | CIVC 101 | 1.0 | COM 181 or 160 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
COM 150 | 3.0 | COM 181 or 160 | 3.0 | COM 230 | 3.0 | ||
ENGL 101 or 111 | 3.0 | COOP 101 | 1.0 | ENGL 103 or 113 | 3.0 | ||
PSY 101 | 3.0 | ENGL 102 or 112 | 3.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||
UNIV H101 | 1.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||
Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | Social Science Elective | 3.0 | ||
Free Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
17 | 18-19 | 18-19 | 0 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 210 | 3.0 | COM 220 | 3.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
COM 222 | 3.0 | COM 247 | 3.0 | ||||
COM Concentration Course | 3.0 | LING 101 or 102 | 3.0 | ||||
Science Course | 3.0-4.0 | COM Concentration Course | 3.0 | ||||
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | Science Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||||
Free Elective | 4.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | ||||
19-20 | 18-19 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Third Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 221 or 284 | 3.0 | PHIL 305 | 3.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
COM Elective or Free Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective or Free Elective | 3.0 | Grad Concentration Core | 3.0 | Grad Concentration Core | 3.0 |
COM Concentration Course | 3.0 | COM Concentration Course | 3.0 | ||||
International Elective | 3.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | ||||
COM 500 | 3.0 | Diversity Elective | 3.0 | ||||
COM 610 | 3.0 | ||||||
15 | 18 | 3 | 3 | ||||
Fourth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 240 | 3.0 | Free Electives | 6.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
UNIV H201 | 1.0 | Social Science Elective | 3.0 | Graduate Concentration Core | 3.0 | Graduate Elective | 3.0 |
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | International Elective | 3.0 | ||||
COM Elective or Free Elective | 3.0 | Graduate Concentration Core | 3.0 | ||||
COM Concentration Course | 3.0 | Graduate Elective | 3.0 | ||||
Free Elective | 2.0 | ||||||
COM 613 or 612 | 3.0 | ||||||
18 | 18 | 3 | 3 | ||||
Fifth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
COM 400 | 3.0 | COM 491 | 3.0 | COM 492 | 3.0 | ||
Diversity Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | ||
COM Elective | 3.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective or Free Elective | 3.0 | ||
COM Elective or Free Elective | 3.0 | Social Science Elective | 3.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | ||
COM 698 | 3.0 | Graduate Electives | 6.0 | Graduate Electives | 6.0 | ||
Graduate Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
18 | 18 | 18 | |||||
Total Credits 225-229 |
5 Year, two Co-op (5COP)
Students complete undergraduate requirements in four years, then convert to graduate status in the fifth and final year.
Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer).
COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.
First Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 101 | 3.0 | CIVC 101 | 1.0 | COOP 101 | 1.0 | VACATION | |
COM 150 | 3.0 | COM 181 or 160 | 3.0 | COM 181 or 160 | 3.0 | ||
ENGL 101 or 111 | 3.0 | ENGL 102 or 112 | 3.0 | COM 230 | 3.0 | ||
PSY 101 | 3.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | ENGL 103 or 113 | 3.0 | ||
UNIV H101 | 1.0 | Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 | ||
Foreign Language Course* | 4.0 | Free Elective | 2.0 | Math Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||
17 | 16-17 | 16-17 | 0 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 210 | 3.0 | COM 220 | 3.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
COM 222 | 3.0 | COM 247 | 3.0 | ||||
COM Concentration Course | 3.0 | LING 101 or 102 | 3.0 | ||||
Science Course | 3.0-4.0 | COM Concentration Course | 3.0 | ||||
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | Science Course | 3.0-4.0 | ||||
Free Elective | 4.0 | Free Elective | 4.0 | ||||
19-20 | 19-20 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Third Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 221 or 284 | 3.0 | PHIL 305 | 3.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
COM Elective or Free Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective or Free Elective | 3.0 | ||||
COM Concentration Course | 3.0 | COM Concentration Course | 3.0 | ||||
International Elective | 3.0 | Free Electives | 7.0 | ||||
Social Science Elective | 3.0 | Diversity Elective | 3.0 | ||||
Free Elective | 4.0 | ||||||
19 | 19 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Fourth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
COM 240 | 3.0 | COM 491 | 3.0 | COM 492 | 3.0 | COM Electives | 6.0 |
UNIV H201 | 1.0 | COM 400 | 3.0 | Diversity Elective | 3.0 | Humanities Elective | 3.0 |
Humanities Elective | 3.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | COM Elective | 3.0 | Social Science Elective | 3.0 |
COM Elective or Free Elective | 3.0 | Social Science Elective | 3.0 | COM Electives or Free Electives | 6.0 | Graduate Concentration Core | 3.0 |
COM Concentration Course | 3.0 | International Elective | 3.0 | Graduate Concentration Core | 3.0 | Graduate Elective | 3.0 |
COM 500 | 3.0 | COM 610 | 3.0 | Student converts to Graduate status | |||
COM 613 or 612 | 3.0 | ||||||
19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | ||||
Fifth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
COM 698 | 3.0 | Graduate Concentration Core | 3.0 | Graduate Electives | 9.0 | ||
Graduate Concentration Core | 3.0 | Graduate Electives | 6.0 | ||||
Graduate Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
9 | 9 | 9 | |||||
Total Credits 225-229 |
* | See degree requirements. |