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School of Communication -
Undergraduate
www.miami.edu/com
INTRODUCTION
The School of Communication offers courses in nine Programs
of Study leading to the degree Bachelor of Science in Communication.
The programs are Advertising, Public Relations, Journalism,
Motion Pictures, Communication Studies, Electronic Media,
Media Management, Broadcast Journalism, and Visual Journalism.
The degrees Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, and Doctor
of Philosophy are available in the School; these degrees are
under the supervision of the Dean of the Graduate School and
the Faculty Council on Graduate Studies.
Students engage in a variety of hands-on learning experiences
embracing research, production, creative problem solving and
multimedia storytelling. All instruction requires the student
to be familiar with computer technology and basic word and
image processing software. Individual programs have specific
computer, image taking and software tools and skills expectations
of students. On campus television, radio, motion picture studios
and multimedia labs are available for academic and extra-curricular
student projects. Visual Journalism students utilize contemporary
digital imaging technology. Motion picture production, digital
editing, recording, and mixing facilities are available. Electronic
Media and Broadcast Journalism students use TV studios and
remote digital technology. New media technology is incorporated
throughout the curriculum and the School houses several computer
labs and digitally “smart” classrooms.
The School houses two video-conference centers with simultaneous
translation capability and broadcast quality interactive capability
for remote interviews and programming. The School also houses
three TV studios, including a fiber-optic linked studio allowing
real-time, broadcast-quality transmissions with remote sites
around the world. Under Communication faculty supervision,
student-produced programming is distributed through the University’s
cable facility and is carried throughout Coral Gables by the
local cable operator.
The University’s FM stereo radio station and student
online and print newspapers and magazines offer additional
opportunities for career development. The Bill Cosford Cinema,
a 250-seat motion picture theatre, supports the motion picture
program and offers programming for the community in connection
with the Raymond J. Regis Motion Picture Archive consisting
of over 2,000 original prints of classic motion pictures.
The School operates several online sites that afford students
outlets for multimedia and cross platform writing, research,
reporting and creative work.
The School’s Knight Center for International Media
supports innovative research and development dedicated to
a broad spectrum of interdisciplinary communication study.
The Center has produced a variety of special projects including
documentary motion pictures, specialized research, and global
issue-oriented faculty/student initiatives. Two endowed Knight
Chairs bring additional expertise and international perspective
to the School’s research and learning experience.
The School sponsors a nationally competitive intercollegiate
debate team, which annually produces several members of the
All American Debate team. In addition, the School supports
student chapters of the American Advertising Association,
the Public Relations Society of America, the Society of Professional
Journalists, the National Broadcasting Society and other professional
organizations.
Internships in professional settings are available to Communication
students at the junior and senior levels. Professionals at
daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, news bureaus, cable
systems, radio and television stations, production houses,
and motion picture studios cooperate in the faculty-supervised
internships. Executives of city and county governments, advertising
agencies, public relations counseling firms, and private business
and nonprofit organizations join in providing internship opportunities.
MISSION
The School of Communication is dedicated to a global educational
perspective and is committed to providing a socially responsible
and ethically grounded learning environment guided by a diverse
faculty of scholars, artists and professionals. The School
is committed to quality undergraduate and graduate programs
in communication that emphasize the relationship between theory
and practice. We believe in freedom of expression and creativity,
and encourage both collaboration and independent thinking
as we prepare future scholars, professionals and leaders for
a lifetime of service and learning. The objectives of the
School are to develop the student’s understanding and
appreciation of communication theory, art, and science; to
improve the student’s awareness of the pervasive role
of communication in society; and to enhance the student’s
communication skills.
ACCREDITATION
The School’s programs in Advertising, Electronic Media,
Broadcast Journalism, Media
Management, Journalism, Public Relations and Visual Journalism
are accredited by the
Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication,
Stauffer-Flint Hall, 1435 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 66045-7575
.
ACADEMIC POLICIES
Admission to Major
A student entering the School of Communication as a freshman
or as a transfer will enroll in Communication pre-major status.
Candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Communication who
have achieved sophomore standing and have satisfactorily completed
the entrance requirements of one of the Communication majors
(see Program Statements) will be admitted to major status
in their chosen specific program of the School.
Internal Transfer into the School of Communication
A student enrolled at the University of Miami in a school
or college other than the School of Communication may apply
for admission into the School of Communication. Applications
are accepted every fall and spring semester. A minimum overall
grade point average of 2.5 is necessary for consideration.
Applications are available in the Admissions, Academic &
Alumni Services Office of the School of Communication and
must be submitted prior to the end of classes in either the
fall or spring semester. Admission decisions will be made
promptly after semester grades are final. Students will be
notified in writing of the School’s decision.
Transfer Students
A transfer student must complete in residence a minimum of
15 credits toward a Communication major or a minimum of 9
credits toward a Communication minor. Courses taken elsewhere
in Communication or related disciplines are not automatically
accepted for a major at the University of Miami. Students
who have obtained the written approval of the head of a Communication
major to use transfer credit to satisfy one or more requirements
of that major may be required to complete additional courses
in residence at the University before being admitted to that
major. Students should consult a School of Communication advisor
to determine whether the transfer of Communication courses
will increase beyond 120 the total number of credits required
for a degree. In general, transfer credit will not be accepted
to satisfy requirements for any course in any major or minor
at the 300-level or above. Student petitions to transfer credit
from ACEJMC-accredited or other accredited programs will be
considered on an individual basis.
Transfer credit may not be used to satisfy requirements for
any major in Communication without the written approval of
the heads of the programs concerned.
Academic Progress & Probation/Dismissal
Students must maintain a quality point average of 2.5 or
higher in courses taken in residence and submitted for their
School of Communication major. Following the first semester
in which any student’s quality point average in the
major falls below a 2.5, the School may issue a warning to
that student that his or her work does not meet School expectations.
Should that student’s QPA in the major be below a 2.5
in any subsequent semester, he or she may be placed on Academic
Probation. The School may dismiss from the University any
student who is on probation a total of two semesters (not
necessarily consecutive). A student who has completed 45 University
credits while enrolled in the School but who has not been
admitted to one of the Communication majors may be dismissed
from the School. A student who has completed 60 University
credits while enrolled in the School but who has not been
admitted to one of the Communication majors will be dismissed
from the School. A student who has been dismissed from the
School may apply for admission to one of the other schools
or colleges within the University but will not later be readmitted
to the School of Communication. Those who wish to appeal their
probation or dismissal must do so in writing to the Dean within
30 days of the notice of probation or dismissal. See also
GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING, WARNING, PROBATION, AND DISMISSAL,
in this Bulletin.
Internship Credit
Some programs allow students to complete multiple internships.
However, students will be permitted no more than three credits
in School of Communication Internship(s) toward their 39-
or 45-credit majors or toward their 120-credit University
degree.
Credit Hours and Advanced Placement Credit
Credits may be earned through Advanced Placement, IB, CLEP
Examinations, and Advanced Placement by Proficiency Examinations.
These credits may be applied to the appropriate Required Areas
of Study or as electives except: (1) where prohibited by a
specific program area; or (2) if the course is remedial (e.g.,
ENG 103, MTH 099). To earn credit toward the 66 credits required
in the liberal arts and sciences, and toward the 120 credits
required for graduation, each student must pay a recording
fee and have exempted course credits entered on his or her
University transcript. An exemption may be granted for ENG
105 by the Department of English, but this exemption will
not earn credit to be applied toward the 66 credits required
in the liberal arts and sciences or toward the 120 University
credits required for graduation.
Grade Point Average
A candidate for the B.S. in Communication must complete the
credit hours and achieve the quality point average specified
for students in the University at large as stated in the section
titled ACADEMIC PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION, subject to additional
requirements specified in School and Program sections of this
Bulletin.
Areas of Study
In applying these requirements to his or her course of study,
each student must carefully read School of Communication program
and major requirements that follow. In many cases, these requirements
will be more restrictive and more specific in describing how
each of these Required Areas of Study is to be satisfied.
DEGREE PROGRAMS
The School of Communication offers courses in nine Programs
of Study leading to the degree Bachelor of Science in Communication.
The programs are Advertising, Public Relations, Journalism,
Motion Pictures, Communication Studies, Electronic Media,
Media Management, Broadcast Journalism, and Visual Journalism.
MINORS
The School of Communication offers minors in each of its
nine Programs of Study.
CONCENTRATIONS
Each degree program offers concentrations or tracks of study
in specialty areas. See the individual program sections for
details on these concentrations.
Requirements for Graduation
Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication
Required University General Education Requirements
A. AREAS OF PROFICIENCY
Proficiency requirements are intended to ensure that students
either already possess, or will develop at the University,
the ability to express themselves effectively, to use mathematics
with facility, and to reason cogently. Superior scores on
the SAT or ACT examinations may waive students from ENG 105
(requirement 1) and superior placement test scores administered
by the Department of Mathematics may waive students from MTH
101 (requirement 2), but not from requirement 3.
1. English Composition
3 credits
Students fulfill this requirement by satisfactorily completing
English 105 and English 106 or its equivalent. Appropriate
Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB)
scores in English composition may be used to satisfy the
English 105/106 requirement. An appropriate score on the
SAT or ACT verbal examination may earn a student exemption
from, but not credit in, ENG 105.
Appropriate scores on other tests determined by the Department
of English may earn a student exemption from, but not credit
in, English 105.
Courses satisfying the English Composition requirement
may not be used to fulfill the Writing Across the Curriculum
Required Area of Study .
2. Mathematics
3 credits
Students fulfill this requirement by satisfactorily completing
a course in mathematics numbered above MTH 101 (excluding
MTH 107 and MTH 119), or MAS 110, or an approved course
in statistics. Exemption from the mathematics requirement
or placement in prerequisite courses is based on any of
the following tests: AP, IB, or an examination administered
by the Department of Mathematics during orientation.
3. Writing Across the Curriculum (W)
5 courses
Courses satisfying this requirement are those designated
as involving a substantial amount of writing and the preparation
of papers that are corrected for diction, syntax, style,
and content. Some courses satisfying this Writing Across
the Curriculum requirement will simultaneously fulfill a
requirement under B. Areas of Knowledge (below).
B. Areas of Knowledge
These requirements are designed to help students understand
and appreciate the intellectual achievements in major areas
of human inquiry and creative endeavor. In satisfying these
requirements students will explore the natural world, examine
human development and behavior, and appreciate creative expression
in the arts, literature, and philosophy.
No more than six credit hours may be taken in any
one department to satisfy the areas of knowledge requirement.
Most courses above the 100-level require prerequisites.
Natural World (6 credits) Courses in the
following areas: Biology; Chemistry;
Ecosystems Science and Policy; Geological Sciences; Marine
Science; Physics;
Physical Science; and the following courses: Anthropology
203; Geography 120; Freshman Seminars in the Natural Sciences
190-199.
People and Society (6 credits) Courses in the following
areas: Africana Studies;
American Studies (AMS); Anthropology (except APY 203); Economics;
Educational
Psychology; Geography (except GEG 120); History; International
Studies; Judaic
Studies (JUS); Political Sciences; Psychology; Sociology;
Teaching and Learning;
Women and Gender Studies (WOS); and the following courses:
CEM 102; COM 101;
COM 110; COS 112; COS 336; COS 472; Freshman Seminars in the
Social Sciences.
Arts and Humanities (12 credits) Courses
in the following areas: American
Studies (AMH); Architecture; Music; Art and Art History; Judaic
Studies (JUH);
Motion Pictures; Theatre Arts; English (200-level or above
except ENG 208); Foreign
Languages and Literatures (300-level or above); Philosophy;
Religious Studies; and the following courses: COS 211; DAN
250; Freshman Seminars in the Arts and
Humanities FFA 190-199. Students who do not have a separate
foreign language requirement may use foreign language courses
numbered at the 100 or 200 level to satisfy part of the arts
and humanities requirement, if the language differs from the
student’s native language and if, when beginning with
a 101-level course, they also take the 102-level course in
the same language.
Majors/Minors
Students majoring or minoring in the School of Communication
must complete a School of Communication course with a grade
of C or higher (a grade of C- or lower is not acceptable)
before taking another course for which the first course is
a prerequisite.
Major/Minor Requirements
The Major in the School of Communication
39 to 45 credits
A major in the School of Communication leading to a Bachelor
of Science in Communication requires 39 or 45 credits in School
of Communication courses specified in Program statements (below).
Each course within the 39- or 45-credit major must be completed
with a grade of C or higher (a grade of C- or lower is not
acceptable). In addition, students must maintain a quality
point average of 2.5 or higher in courses taken in residence
and submitted for their School of Communication 39- or 45-credit
majors.
Students majoring in Advertising, Public Relations, Journalism,
Visual Journalism, Electronic Media, Broadcast Journalism,
and Media Management will be permitted no more than 30 credits
in all these areas and in Motion Pictures, whether earned
at the University of Miami or elsewhere, toward their 120-credit
University degrees. Courses in these areas hereafter designated
Mass Communication courses in this Bulletin, do not include
COM 101, COM 110 or COM 250.
Students majoring in Motion Pictures will be permitted no
more than 36 credits in Mass
Communication courses, whether taken at the University of
Miami or elsewhere, toward their 120-credit University degrees.
Students majoring in Communication Studies will be permitted
no more than 36 credits of courses in these areas of study,
whether taken at the University of Miami or elsewhere, toward
their 120-credit University degrees.
Students who exceed the 30- or 36-credit limits set forth
above must complete a like number of credits more than the
120 credits normally required for a University degree .
The second major
24 to 40 credits
Each Communication student, in addition to completing requirements
for a Communication major (below), must choose a second major
field in the University curriculum. To find the requirements
for such a major, consult this Bulletin and confer with the
appropriate department representative. School of Communication
advisors will aid students in identifying the appropriate
representative. The candidate for a Communication degree may
choose from among any of the disciplines offering majors for
which they may qualify and complete the major’s requirements.
The choice of the second major should be made no later than
the beginning of the junior year and must be approved by the
discipline concerned. Each Communication student will be required,
by the time he or she has earned 72 credits, to submit to
his or her Communication advisor a statement of courses and
other requirements for the chosen major. This statement must
be signed by the second major’s program head concerned,
or by the head’s representative. Any student making
unsatisfactory progress in the second major subject may be
required to change majors or to relinquish candidacy for the
Communication degree.
Unless Communication Program statements otherwise restrict,
a maximum of six credits may count toward both a second major
and the Required Areas of Study in the School of Communication
(above); see Program Statements.
Minors
A minor is not required for a Bachelor of Science degree
candidate in the School of Communication. A student who wishes
to complete a minor offered by any program in the University,
in addition to the major in Communication and second major,
must consult the School of Communication Admissions, Academic
& Alumni Services Office. A student who wishes to take
a minor as well as a major in Communication must take into
account the credit limits in area courses specified above.
The School offers minors for students enrolled in the College
of Arts and Sciences and for other students who require minors
in their programs.
• A student minoring in the general area of Communication
must complete 15 credits at least six of which must be at
the 300-level or above.
• Courses taken for this minor must be approved in advance
through the School’s advising system in the office of
Admissions, Academic & Alumni Services.
• Other minors are in Advertising, Public Relations,
Journalism, Visual Journalism, Motion Pictures, Communication
Studies, and Electronic Media; see Program statements.
• Each course submitted for a Communication minor must
be completed with a grade of C or higher (a grade of C- or
lower is not acceptable).
Upper Division Credits
Minimum of 36 credits
In earning a Bachelor of Science in Communication, each School
of Communication student must complete a minimum of 36 credits
of course work at the 300-level or above. Upper division courses
taken in Required Areas of Study, in the School of Communication
major, in the second major, and as general electives will
count toward this 36-credit minimum requirement. Upper division
transfer credits also apply.
Electives
Only Free Elective courses may be taken under the University’s
Credit Only option (see CREDIT ONLY OPTION, this Bulletin).
Free Electives are defined as courses not taken to fulfill
the requirements of the major within the School of Communication,
of the second major, or of the School’s Required Areas
of Study (i.e., General Distribution requirements). Free Electives
are courses taken not to meet any of the above requirements
or their prerequisites, but taken solely to meet the requirement
of a total of 66 credits in the liberal arts and sciences
or the requirement of a total of 120 credits for the degree.
General electives
Sufficient for a minimum total of 120 credits
Electives in the University must be completed sufficient
for a minimum total of 120 credits. Electives may be chosen
from any courses offered by the University except certain
unapproved courses such as Dance 101, 102, 103, and activity
courses offered by the School of Education. Students should
consult a School of Communication advisor before selecting
elective courses. General electives may be taken in any School
or College outside of the School of Communication. Excess
credits in Communication will increase the total amount of
credits required for graduation. Because specific courses
are required in some School of Communication majors, students
are advised to read Program statements carefully and seek
the advice of a School of Communication advisor prior to taking
general University electives.
Electives in the Liberal Arts and Sciences
Sufficient for a total of 66 College credits
Students must earn a total of 66 credits in the liberal arts
and sciences, including those credits earned in Required Areas
of Study, in the second major, in electives in the College
of Arts and Sciences, in courses in the Department of Economics,
in approved courses in the School of Music and School of Education,
and in COM/COS courses 110, 211, and 333. Some majors require
specific courses; see Program Statements.
SCHEDULES
Fifteen or sixteen credits constitute a normal semester schedule
in the School of Communication. Students who wish to register
for more than sixteen credits must obtain prior approval.
Students who are on academic probation will be limited to
a maximum of thirteen credits.
Double Counting
A maximum of 6 credits from the second major, or from COM
101, or COM 110, may be used to satisfy the Required Areas
of Study in the School of Communication. No course may be
used to satisfy the requirements of more than one major or
of a major and a minor. Two Communication core courses (see
Program Statements) but no other courses submitted for a student’s
Communication major may be used also to satisfy School of
Communication Required Areas of Study. Unless Communication
Program statements otherwise restrict: (a) a course taken
to satisfy Additional Requirements of a student’s major
(and which appears on the list of courses accepted in satisfaction
of School Required Areas of Study) may also be used to satisfy
a School Required Areas of Study requirement; and (b) a maximum
of six credits may count toward both a second major and the
School Required Areas of Study. The foregoing notwithstanding,
any course designated as a Writing course, whether taken to
fulfill a major, minor, Additional Requirements, or Required
Areas of Study requirement, or as an elective, may also be
applied to the Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
Freshman Seminars
An approved Freshman Seminar may satisfy one of the School
Required Areas of Study requirements. Consult the School of
Communication Academic Services Office.
Aerospace Studies and Military Science
A maximum of six credits of Aerospace Studies and Military
Science courses at the 300-level or above may count toward
the 120-credit University degree but only as general elective
credit.
Additional program requirements
Most programs in the School require a student, in order to
obtain the School’s Bachelor of Science degree, to complete
specified courses in addition to those 13 or 15 courses that
comprise the majors. These courses may, in some cases, fulfill
requirements in Required Areas of Study or in the second major,
or may be electives in the College of Arts and Sciences or
general electives in the University. In completing these additional
course requirements, passing grades (D or better) are usually
acceptable. If a grade of C or better is required in any additional
course or courses beyond the 39- or 45-credit School of Communication
major, program statements will so state. Read program statements
carefully. Do not register for courses without a program advisor’s
signed approval.
HONORS
School of Communication students may graduate with School
Honors in Communication noted upon their diplomas and transcripts.
Students should contact the School’s Office of Admissions,
Academic & Alumni Services (2037 Wolfson Building) for
details about the School of Communication Honors Program.
Students may receive recognition as graduates cum laude,
magna cum laude, or summa cum laude if they meet the requirements
set forth under GRADUATION HONORS in this Bulletin.
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