Communication
Students interested in journalism, public relations, and communication and media have the flexibility to create their course of study and can participate in professional learning opportunities before graduation.
Communication Program Overview
Are you interested in journalism, public relations, or communication and media? Studying communication offers a dynamic curriculum exploring how communication professionals adapt to the evolving ways people connect and share information.
ECU's Bachelor of Science (BS) program in communication offers the following concentrations:
- Communication and media
- Journalism
- Public relations
Pursue a career in communication and become a competitive professional in the national workforce. The School of Communication educates tomorrow’s leaders today through rigorous course study, professional training using cutting-edge technologies, and collaboration with business professionals and community leaders.
With an exceptional internship program and real-world opportunities offered through the Public Relations Student Society of America chapter, you will have the experience, training and network to apply communication skills to any field you choose.
ECU Advantage
Our students shine at internship placements including NBC, TNT, MTV, Live Nation, Pittsburgh Sports Radio, E!, Man v. Food, with major athletic teams and in high profile public relations firms. Some of our most famous alumni include Scott Avett (Avett Brothers) and Emily Procter (CSI: Miami). Our most celebrated future success story? You.
What You Will Study
Program Coordinator: Laura C. Prividera (102 Joyner East; 252-328-5304; privideral@ecu.edu)
The Communication, BS has concentrations in communication and media, journalism, and public relations. Students must be admitted to the School of Communication prior to pursuing the major. Admission may be requested upon acceptance to ECU. Students are required to meet with a School of Communication advisor in order to apply. Entering first year students must have a minimum 3.0 un-weighted high school GPA before declaring the major.
To declare the communication major, continuing and transfer students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.3. Transfer of writing courses and core skill courses in public relations and journalism from outside institutions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Transcripts from the institution of transfer, a syllabus, and writing or production samples may be requested.
A minimum grade of C- (1.7) is required in all COMM courses that count toward the major. In addition, a minimum grade of C- (1.7) must be achieved in all COMM prerequisites before students can advance in the curriculum.
Students majoring in communication cannot minor in communication.
The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:
Core Requirements:
1. General education requirements - 40 s.h.
(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)
2. Core - 6 s.h.
- COMM 1001 - Introduction to Communication
- COMM 1003 - Introduction to Mass Media
3. Concentration area - 36 s.h.
(Choose one)
Communication and Media - 36 s.h.
Concentration core - 12 s.h.
- COMM 2010 - Communication Criticism
- COMM 2030 - Communication Research
- COMM 2410 - Public Speaking
- COMM 3110 - Persuasion Theories
Choose 18 s.h. from:
- COMM 2120 - Public Relations Principles
- COMM 2420 - Business and Professional Communication
- COMM 3063 - Special Topics
- COMM 3142 - Small Group Communication
- COMM 3152 - Interpersonal Communication
- COMM 3160 - Organizational Communication
- COMM 3172 - Media Effects
- COMM 3180 - Intercultural Communication
- COMM 3380 - Mediated Communication
- COMM 3390 - International News
- COMM 3520 - Sports Media Survey
- COMM 3550 - Social Media and Strategic Communication
- COMM 3700 - Race, Ethnicity and Media
- COMM 4032 - Mass Media Law
- COMM 4040 - Media, Culture, and Society
- COMM 4046 - Digital and Media Literacy
- COMM 4081 - Directed Independent Study
- COMM 4082 - Directed Independent Study
- COMM 4083 - Directed Independent Study
- COMM 4091 - Internship–Seminar
- COMM 4130 - Conflict and Communication
- COMM 4135 - Gender and Communication
- COMM 4196 - Communication Honors Project
- COMM 4905 - Media Ethics
Choose a 3 s.h. free COMM elective.
Capstone course - 3 s.h.
- COMM 4060 - Special Problems in Communication OR
- COMM 4080 - Senior Communication Capstone
Journalism - 36 s.h.
Concentration core - 21 s.h.
- COMM 2225 - Video News Production
- COMM 2300 - Journalism Foundations
- COMM 2340 - Development of American Journalism
- COMM 2500 - Media Writing and Reporting
- COMM 3390 - International News
- COMM 3393 - Producing the News
- COMM 3421 - In-Depth Reporting
Choose 9 s.h. from:
- COMM 3300 - Entrepreneurial Journalism
- COMM 3310 - Copy Editing and Design
- COMM 3330 - Feature Writing
- COMM 3350 - Creative Design in Publishing
- COMM 3430 - Electronic News Performance
- COMM 3500 - Web Design for Communication Professionals
- COMM 3550 - Social Media and Strategic Communication
- COMM 4091 - Internship–Seminar
Choose 3 s.h. from:
- COMM 3172 - Media Effects
- COMM 3520 - Sports Media Survey
- COMM 3700 - Race, Ethnicity and Media
- COMM 4032 - Mass Media Law
- COMM 4040 - Media, Culture, and Society
- COMM 4046 - Digital and Media Literacy
- COMM 4135 - Gender and Communication
- COMM 4905 - Media Ethics
Capstone course - 3 s.h.
- COMM 4300 - Multimedia Storytelling Capstone
Public Relations - 36 s.h.
Concentration core - 15 s.h.
- COMM 2030 - Communication Research
- COMM 2120 - Public Relations Principles
- COMM 3104 - Public Relations and Corporate Writing
- COMM 4032 - Mass Media Law OR
- COMM 4905 - Media Ethics
- COMM 4180 - Public Relations Strategies
Choose 9 s.h. from:
- COMM 2225 - Video News Production
- COMM 2410 - Public Speaking
- COMM 3310 - Copy Editing and Design
- COMM 3350 - Creative Design in Publishing
- COMM 3430 - Electronic News Performance
- COMM 3500 - Web Design for Communication Professionals
- COMM 3540 - Digital Media for Communication Campaigns
- COMM 3550 - Social Media and Strategic Communication
- COMM 4046 - Digital and Media Literacy
- COMM 4091 - Internship–Seminar
Choose 6 s.h. from:
- COMM 3110 - Persuasion Theories
- COMM 3160 - Organizational Communication
- COMM 3172 - Media Effects
- COMM 3180 - Intercultural Communication
- COMM 3190 - Health Communication
- COMM 3390 - International News
- COMM 3520 - Sports Media Survey
- COMM 3700 - Race, Ethnicity and Media
- COMM 4040 - Media, Culture, and Society
- COMM 4130 - Conflict and Communication
- COMM 4135 - Gender and Communication
- COMM 4185 - International Public Relations
Choose a 3 s.h. free COMM elective.
Capstone course - 3 s.h.
- COMM 4500 - Public Relations Campaigns
4. Minor and/or electives to complete requirements for graduation.
Students who major in communication cannot minor in communication.
ECU Minor Requirements Policy
The university's policy regarding double counting credits between major and minor can be found in the Academic Advisement, Progression and Support Services section of this catalog. See "Minor Requirements".
If you have questions, please reach out to your program coordinator or director.
- No more than 9 credit hours required for satisfying a major can count towards the credits required for satisfying a minor, excluding specified cognates (required courses but outside of the major discipline).
- Individual programs may have additional restrictions.
- A student may not major and minor in the same discipline as defined by the program's 6-digit CIP code.
For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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