Communication, BA, Communication Studies Specialization Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan for the Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a Specialization in Communication Studies
Sample Plan for New Students
The sample shows a typical plan to complete the degree based on current degree requirements and course offerings, and is not the only possible plan. The number of credits for each course is in parentheses. Some classes have prerequisites, and the order of courses in the sample plan accounts for these. Each new student, in consultation with their advisor, will complete a personal academic plan tailored to their specific goals and interests.
- Semester Degree Plan (for students who enroll in Summer 2027 or beyond)
- Quarter Degree Plan (for students who enroll prior to Summer 2027)
For more information about Seattle University's transition to the semester calendar, visit SU Moves to Semesters.
Important Major Information
Minimum Credits to Graduate: 120 semester credits or 180 quarter credits
Credits in Major: 36 semester credits or 60 quarter credits
Minimum Major GPA: 2.0
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0
Semester-Based Degree Plan
Four-Year Sample Plan For New Students
For students who enroll in Summer 2027 or beyond
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 |
CMME 2000: Introduction to Media Studies (3) |
CMME 2010: Introduction to Communication (3) |
| Course 2 |
UCOR 1000 (3) |
UCOR Stage I (3) |
| Course 3 |
UCOR Stage I (3) |
UCOR Stage II (3) |
| Course 4 |
UCOR Stage I (3) |
College History Requirement (3) |
| Course 5 |
College Language Requirement |
College Language Requirement |
Year 1 Steps for Success
- Meet with your Academic Advisor
- Create plan in Student Planning
- Get Involved
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 |
CMME 3100: Intercultural Communication (3) |
CMME 3000: Communication Law (3) |
| Course 2 |
CMME Elective (3) |
CMME 3101: Language, Power, and Advocacy (3) |
| Course 3 |
UCOR Stage II (3) |
UCOR Stage II (3) |
| Course 4 |
UCOR Stage II (3) |
UCOR Stage II (3) |
| Course 5 |
UCOR Stage II (3) |
General Elective (3) |
Year 2 Steps for Success
- Meet with your Academic Advisor(s)
- Plan for Study Abroad
- Meet with Career Engagement Office
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 |
CMME 34XX (3) |
CMME 4000: Practical Experience in Communication or CMME 4950: Internship (3) |
| Course 2 |
CMST Elective (3) |
CMST Elective (3) |
| Course 3 |
UCOR Stage III (3) |
General Elective (3) |
| Course 4 |
General Elective (3) |
General Elective (3) |
| Course 5 |
General Elective (3) |
General Elective (3) |
Year 3 Steps for Success
- Find Internship or Research Opportunities
- Meet with Faculty Advisor
- Review Educational Plan
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 |
CMME 4010: Research Seminar in Communication (3) |
CMME 4020: Project Capstone (3) |
| Course 2 |
UCOR Stage III (3) |
UCOR Stage III (3) |
| Course 3 |
General Elective (3) |
General Elective (3) |
| Course 4 |
General Elective (3) |
General Elective (3) |
| Course 5 |
General Elective (3) |
General Elective (3) |
Year 4 Steps for Success
- Meet with Faculty Advisor
- Apply for Graduation
- Continue Post Graduation Planning
University Core Requirements
UCOR classes are listed in the sample plan as Stage I, II, and III. See below for UCOR course titles listed by Stage. For more information, please visit the University Core Website.
Stage I: Foundations
- UCOR 1000/2000 Signature Seminar
- UCOR 1100 Academic Writing Seminar
- UCOR 1200 Quantitative Reasoning
- UCOR 1500 Philosophies of Humanity
Stage II: Inquiry
- UCOR 2100 Theological Explorations
- UCOR 2300 Inquiry Seminar in Creative Arts and Expression
- UCOR 2400 Inquiry Seminar in Literature, Art, or History
- UCOR 2600 Inquiry Seminar in the Social Sciences
- UCOR 2800 Inquiry Seminar in the Natural Sciences
- UCOR 29XX Ethical Inquiry
Stage III: Engagement
- UCOR 3100 Religion in a Global Context
- UCOR 3200 Global Perspectives
- UCOR 3300 Responsibility and Action
Curriculum Notes
- CMME 2000 is held for incoming FTIC and new Transfer students in the Fall term.
- Any CMME course not required by the major or your specialization can count as an elective. These electives may also be used as credit toward an additional specialization as long as all specialization requirements are met.
- CMME Practical requirement: 3 credits. Choose from CMME 4000 Practical Experience in Communication, 4001 Strategic Communication Consultancy, 4950 Internship, or advisor-approved leadership course such as study abroad or debate.
- CMME 4010 (Research) and 4020 (Capstone) can be taken during any term of your senior year and can be taken in any order.
- For complete information on courses, prerequisites, etc., please consult the Explore & Compare Programs page.
Plan your courses and work closely with your academic advisor on your educational plan. You are responsible for tracking changes and ensuring you meet all degree requirements.
Visit the Seattle U Advising Services page for support or reach out to the Advising Center. Email CAS Advising at ASCAdvising@seattleu.edu.
Resources for Success
Soar during your time here:
- Find support for academic success, inclusion, and professional formation from the Student Success division.
- Receive equal access to courses, programs, and activities with Disability Services.
- Get answers to common questions at the Student Resource Network.
Excel in every class:
- Sign up for academic support with Learning Assistance Programs.
- Strengthen your writer’s voice at the Writing Center.
- Level up your skills at the Math Lab.
Source the best research:
- Connect with your librarians for support on research and assignments.
- Search the expansive network of books, eBooks, databases, journals and more.
Graduate on time:
- Map out your degree plan with academic advising.
- Keep your momentum going with Summer Programs.
Build your future career:
- Meet with a Career Advisor from the Career Engagement Office.
- Explore career options at the “What Can I Do With This Major” page.
Expand your horizons:
- Apply for Undergraduate Research Funding Opportunity.
- Create something at the Media Production Center or Billodue Makerspace.
Quarter-Based Degree Plan
Four-Year Sample Plan For New Students
For students who enroll prior to Summer 2027
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | Language I 1150 (5) | Language II 1250 (5) | Language 1350 (5) |
| Course 2 |
CMME 2000 – Intro to Media Studies OR CMME 2010 – Intro to Communication (5) |
†HIST 1200, 1210, OR 2310 (5) | CMME 2000 – Intro to Media Studies (5) OR CMME 2010 – Intro to Communication (5) |
| Course 3 | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) |
†Choose HIST 1200 – Constructing Past & Present I (5), HIST 1210 – Constructing Past & Present II (5), OR HIST 2310 – US in the World (5)
Year 1 Steps for Success
- Meet with your Academic Advisor
- Create plan in Student Planning
- Get Involved
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | CMME 2100 – Interpersonal Communication (5) | General Elective (5) |
| Course 2 | General Elective (5) | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | General Elective (5) |
| Course 3 | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) |
Year 2 Steps for Success
- Meet with your Academic Advisor(s)
- Plan for Study Abroad
- Meet with Career Engagement Office
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | UCOR 3100 – Intercultural Communication (5) | CMME 3101 – Language, Power, & Advocacy (5) | CMME 3000 – Communication Law (5) |
| Course 2 | General Elective (5) | CMME Elective (5) | CMME Practical Requirement (5) |
| Course 3 | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) |
Year 3 Steps for Success
- Find Internship or Research Opportunities
- Meet with Faculty Advisor
- Review Educational Plan
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | CMME 4010 – Research Seminar in Communication (5) | CMME 4020 – Project Capstone (5) | CMME 3102 – Topics in CMST OR CMME Approved Course (5) |
| Course 2 | CMME Elective (5) | General Elective (5) | General Elective (5) |
| Course 3 | General Elective (5) | UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) | General Elective (5) |
Year 4 Steps for Success
- Meet with Faculty Advisor
- Apply for Graduation
- Continue Post Graduation Planning
University Core Requirements
UCOR classes are listed in the sample plan as Module I, II, and III. See below for UCOR course titles listed by Module. See my.seattleu.edu for prerequisites and www.seattleu.edu/core for course descriptions. Honors and Matteo Ricci students have different Core requirements.
Module I:
- UCOR 1100 Academic Writing Seminar
- UCOR 1200 Quantitative Thinking
- UCOR 1300 Creative Expression & Interpretation
- UCOR 1400 Inquiry Seminar in the Humanities
- UCOR 1600 Inquiry Seminar in the Social Sciences
- UCOR 1800 Inquiry Seminar in the Natural Sciences
Module II:
- UCOR 2100 Theological Explorations
- UCOR 2500 Philosophy of the Human Person
- UCOR 2900 Ethical Reasoning
Module III:
- UCOR 3100 Religion in a Global Context
- UCOR 3400 Humanities and Global Challenges
- UCOR 3600 Social Sciences and Global Challenges
- UCOR 3800 Natural Sciences and Global Challenges
Curriculum Notes
- CMME 2000 is held for incoming FTIC and new Transfer students in the Fall quarter.
- Any CMME course not required by the major or your specialization can count as an elective. These electives may also be used as credit toward an additional specialization as long as all specialization requirements are met.
- CMME Practical requirement: 5 credits. Choose from CMME 4000 Practical Experience in Communication, 4001 Strategic Communication Consultancy, 4950 Internship, or advisor approved leadership course such as study abroad or debate.
- CMME 4010 (research) and 4020 (Capstone) can be taken during any quarter of your senior year and can be taken in any order.
- For complete information on courses, prerequisites, etc., please consult the Explore & Compare Programs page.
Use MySeattleU Student Planning to plan your courses and work closely with your academic advisor on your educational plan. You are responsible for tracking changes and ensuring you meet all degree requirements.
Visit the Seattle U Advising Services page for support or reach out to the Advising Center. Email CAS Advising at ASCAdvising@seattleu.edu.
Resources for Success
Soar during your time here:
- Find support for academic success, inclusion, and professional formation from the Student Success division.
- Receive equal access to courses, programs, and activities with Disability Services.
- Get answers to common questions at the Student Resource Network.
Excel in every class:
- Sign up for academic support with Learning Assistance Programs.
- Strengthen your writer’s voice at the Writing Center.
- Level up your skills at the Math Lab.
Source the best research:
- Connect with your librarians for support on research and assignments.
- Search the expansive network of books, eBooks, databases, journals and more.
Graduate on time:
- Map out your degree plan with academic advising.
- Keep your momentum going with Summer Programs.
Build your future career:
- Meet with a Career Advisor from the Career Engagement Office.
- Explore career options at the “What Can I Do With This Major” page.
Expand your horizons:
- Apply for Undergraduate Research Funding Opportunity.
- Create something at the Media Production Center or Billodue Makerspace.