Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology
Professional Communication and Digital Media Studies (BA)
The major in "Professional Communication and Digital Media Studies" focuses students on the concepts, principles, theories, and practices of the communication discipline while helping them develop and master spoken, written, and visual communication skills applicable in several different employment arenas. While the B.A. in Professional Communication and Digital Media studies is essentially a generalist degree in the field of communication studies, it offers students the option of pursuing specialty concentrations in "Professional and Technical Communication" or "Digital Media Studies."
At least one-half of the total semester credit hours for major requirements must be taken at UT Dallas.
Unless otherwise noted, courses in Professional Communication and Digital Media Studies are open to all students in the University.
Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication and Digital Media Studies
Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)
View an Example of Degree Requirements by Semester
Faculty
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours
Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from institutions of higher education. The courses listed are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at UT Dallas.
Communication: 6 semester credit hours
COMM 1311 Introduction to Communication Studies
COMM 1315 Public Speaking
Or select any 6 semester credit hours from Communication Core courses (see advisor)
Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Mathematics Core courses
Life and Physical Sciences: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Life and Physical Sciences Core courses
Language, Philosophy and Culture: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Language, Philosophy and Culture Core courses (see advisor)
Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Creative Arts Core courses
American History: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from American History Core courses
Government/Political Science: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Government/Political Science Core courses
Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Social and Behavioral Sciences Core courses
Component Area Option: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Component Area Option Core courses
II. Major Requirements: 37 semester credit hours beyond Core Curriculum
Major Preparatory Courses: 19 semester credit hours (10 semester credit hours beyond Core Curriculum)
AHTC 1100 First Year Seminar
COMM 1311 Introduction to Communication Studies
COMM 1315 Public Speaking
COMM 1320 Interpersonal Communication
COMM 2310 Introduction to Professional Communication
COMM 2314 Oral Interpretation
COMM 2351 History and Theory of Communication
Major Core Courses: 21 semester credit hours
COMM 3340 Team Dynamics
COMM 3350 Intercultural Communication
COMM 3352 Media and Culture
COMM 3353 Nonverbal Communication
COMM 4314 Persuasion and Interpersonal Influence
COMM 4360 Communication Ethics
or ATCM 4384 Ethics in New Media, Technology, and Communication
COMM 4370 Communication and Leadership
or COMM 4371 Communication and Professionalism
Advanced Research Requirement: 3 semester credit hours
COMM 3310 Research Methods in Communication Studies
Internship or Capstone Requirement: 3 semester credit hours
COMM 4398 Capstone
or COMM 4399: Internship
III. Elective Requirements: 41 semester credit hours
Major Prescribed Electives: 18 semester credit hours
Students may choose 18 semester credit hours from any of the following courses.
AMS 3350 Crisis Communication
ATCM 3323 Reading in a Networked Era
ATCM 3325 Global Media Cultures
ATCM 3388 Social Influence and Persuasive Design
AMS 4304 Communication in America
ATCM 4386 Journalism in a Networked Age
ATCM 4388 Political Communication
COMM 2335 Communication and Popular Culture
COMM 3302 Graphics and Images in Professional Communication
COMM 3303 Professional Communication in the Career Fields
COMM 3320 Readers' Theat
COMM 3321 Professional and Technical Presentations
COMM 3322 Relational Communication
COMM 3325 Advanced Oral Interpretation
COMM 3330 Public Address and the American Presidency
COMM 3360 TV and Radio Announcing
COMM 3342 Advanced Topics in Communication
COMM 4303 Advanced Editing
or RHET 4303 Advanced Editing
COMM 4305 Communication and Media Law
COMM 4320 Communicating for the World Wide Web
COMM 4330 Digital Media and the 21st Century
COMM 4341 Information Design and Usability
COMM 4352 Digital Advocacy Strategies for Influence
COMM 4353 Political Discourse in a Digital Era
COMM 4355 Organizational Communication
COMM 4362 Communicating in the World of AI
COMM 4365 Storytelling in Professional Contexts
COMM 4375 Professional Communication for Medicine
COMM 4395 Communication in International Contexts
COMM 4380 Communication and Culture in Japan
FILM 2332 Understanding Film
FILM 3321 Film in Historical Context
FILM 3325 Film Authorship
FILM 3326 World Cinema
RHET 4302 Advanced Writing and Research
RHET 4310 Topics in Editing and Publishing
VPAS 4310 Entertainment Law
Free Electives: 23 semester credit hours
Both upper- and lower-division courses may be used as electives.
Concentration Option (15 semester credit hours and 8 semester credit hours in Free Electives)
Professional and Technical Communication Concentration: 15 semester credit hours
COMM 3302 Graphics and Images in Professional Communication
COMM 3303 Professional Communication in the Career Fields
or COMM 3321 Professional and Technical Presentations
COMM 4303 Advanced Editing
or RHET 4303 Advanced Editing
or RHET 4302 Advanced Writing and Research
COMM 4341 Information Design and Usability
COMM 4355 Organizational Communication
Digital Media Studies Concentration: 15 semester credit hours
COMM 2335 Communication and Popular Culture
COMM 3360 TV and Radio Announcing
COMM 4320 Communicating for the World Wide Web
or COMM 4330 Digital Media and the 21st Century
COMM 4353 Political Discourse in a Digital Era
or COMM 4352 Digital Advocacy: Strategies for Influence
COMM 4362 Communicating in the World of AI
or COMM 4365 Storytelling in Professional Contexts
The plan must include sufficient upper-division courses to total 45 upper-division semester credit hours.