Curriculum
Our curriculum provides ample opportunity for our students to take advantage of Clarkson’s strong technological environment.
Few other communication programs position their graduates to leverage their communication expertise within such scientific and technical fields.
The curriculum allows for great flexibility, enabling students to double major in Communication and another discipline such as computer science or psychology. Recent double majors have found excellent careers in information systems, instructional design and business consulting. Below are the requirements and a sample curriculum for a bachelor's degree in Communication.
| General Requirements: 45 Hours | |
| Course | Credit Hours |
| LS195 - Great Ideas I | 3 |
| LS196 - Great Ideas II | 3 |
| Foundation Liberal Arts Courses | 6 |
| Foundation Engineering Course | 3 |
| Foundation Business Course | 3 |
| Foundation Mathematics Courses | 6 |
| Foundation Science Courses | 6 |
| Foundation Computer Course | 3 |
| Additional Computer Course | 3 |
| Additional Mathematics, Science, or Computer Course | 3 |
| Communication Requirements: 30 Hours | |
| Course | Credit Hours |
| COMM210 Theory of Rhetoric | 3 |
| COMM313 Professional Communications | 3 |
| COMM341 Introduction to Web Pages | 3 |
| COMM410 Theory of Philosophy of Communication | 3 |
| COMM490 Communication Internships or Research | 3 |
| Additional Communication Courses | 15 |
| Free Electives | 30 |
In addition to the courses listed above, you must also complete 15 credit hours of external professional study.
The Communication program is designed to be flexible. In most cases, students work closely with their academic adviser to arrange an appropriate sequence of courses. The following is a typical eight-semester plan*.
| Freshman Year | |||
| First Semester | Second Semester | ||
| Credits | Credits | ||
| LS195 Great Ideas I | 3 | LS196 Great Ideas II | 3 |
| Foundation Mathematics Course | 3 | Foundation Mathematics Course | 3 |
| Foundation Science Course | 3 | Foundations Science Course | 3 |
| COMM100 First-Year Seminar | 1 | Computer Course | 3 |
| COMM210 Theory of Rhetoric | 3 | COMM341 Introduction to Web Pages | 3 |
| COMM214 Computer Applications & Concepts | 3 | ||
| Total | 16 | Total | 15 |
| Sophomore Year | |||
| First Semester | Second Semester | ||
| Credits | Credits | ||
| Foundation Liberal Arts Course | 3 | Foundation Liberal Arts Course | 3 |
| Computer, Math, or Science Course | 3 | Foundation Engineering Course | 3 |
| COMM313 Professional Communications | 3 | Communication Course | 3 |
| Communication Course | 3 | Professional Concentration Elective | 3 |
| Professional Concentration Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| Total | 15 | Total | 15 |
| Junior Year | |||
| First Semester | Second Semester | ||
| Credits | Credits | ||
| COMM410 Theory of Philosophy of Communications | 3 | Foundation Business Course | 3 |
| Foundation Liberal Arts Course | 3 | Communication Course | 3 |
| Communication Course | 3 | Professional Concentration Elective | 3 |
| Professional Concentration Elective | 3 | Free Electives | 6 |
| Free Electives | 3 | ||
| Total | 15 | Total | 15 |
| Senior Year | |||
| First Semester | Second Semester | ||
| Credits | Credits | ||
| Communication Course | 3 | COMM490 Communication Internship or Research Project | 3 |
| Foundation Liberal Arts Course | 3 | Free Electives | 12 |
| Professional Concentration Elective | 3 | ||
| Free Electives | 6 | ||
| Total | 15 | Total | 15 |
* - Courses, sequences, and credits may vary. Clarkson requires 120 credits for graduation.
NOTE - Some electives may require additional prerequisites.
