Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies

Communication Studies
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Conquer Communication & Lead the Conversation

Great communicators don’t just talk—they connect, inspire, and lead. At Eastern Washington University, you’ll gain the tools to do all three.

With a Communication Studies BA, you’ll build the skills and knowledge to launch a career in any industry. Our comprehensive, innovative program blends communication theory with hands-on experience. You can choose to earn your degree online or on campus—whichever works best for your schedule.

Whether you’re taking communication studies courses in person or from home, you’ll learn how to connect with different audiences, solve real-world communication challenges, and speak confidently in professional and everyday situations.

You’ll also strengthen essential skills like critical thinking, media literacy, public speaking, and conflict resolution. You can even pick electives that match your interests, such as social media, marketing, healthcare, sports, entertainment, or event planning.

Want to take your learning beyond the classroom? You can do that, too:

  • Join the PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America).
  • Collaborate with faculty on real-world projects.
  • Get valuable work experience through an internship.
  • Attend networking events to meet industry leaders.
  • Participate in workshops that help you create a strong resume and LinkedIn profile.

Your next chapter starts here. Take the first step toward an exciting career in communications.

Apply

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Communication Studies Major, Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Students graduating with a degree in Communication Studies are highly sought after due to their ability to effectively communicate with diverse audiences, critically analyze messages, and perform research. The curriculum in this major prepares students for employment in a diverse array of fields, including social media, public relations, marketing, recruiting, grant writing, teaching, law, consulting, and more. 

There are two options to declare this program:
In-Person: most of the classes will be in person, with some occasional online classes.
Online: all of the classes will be online. Note that the online option operates using a different tuition model.

Note: CMST 200 cannot be taken for credit towards the Communication Studies Major.

World Language Requirement: Two years of a single high school world language or one year of a single college-level world language is required.

Grade Requirements: a minimum cumulative GPA ≥2.0 by graduation.

Section A–Required Communication Foundation Credits
CMST 201PUBLIC SPEAKING5
CMST 208MASS MEDIA AND THE INFORMATION SOCIETY5
CMST 309COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION5
CMST 330INTEGRATED METHODS FOR COMMUNICATION RESEARCH5
or CSBS 320 STATISTICS FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
Section B–Required Upper Division Core Credits–choose three 5-credit 400-level CMST courses.15
Note: the following courses cannot count in this section (B): CMST 480, CMST 481 or CMST 495, CMST 499.
Note: any course used in Section B cannot count in Section C.
Section C–Electives20
Any Communication Studies course can count in this area with the exception of CMST 200.
Note: any course used in Section C cannot count in Section B.
Section D–The STAR Component (STudy/Act/Reflect)–please see STAR Component Coordinator, Dr. Shields, for any additional information.
Note: A minimum of 15 credits of CMST coursework at EWU must be taken before beginning the STAR component. Written and oral reports on the STAR experience must be completed successfully.
This requirement can be satisfied by: • A CMST or required JRNM class that has a built-in engagement component; • An internship; • Employment or volunteer activities.
Senior Capstone Requirement
CMST 490SENIOR CAPSTONE5
Total Credits60

The following plan of study is for a student with zero credits. Individual students may have different factors such as: credit through transfer work, Advanced Placement, Running Start, or any other type of college-level coursework that requires an individual plan.

Courses could be offered in different terms, checking the academic schedule is paramount in keeping an individual plan current. Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

All Undergraduate students are required to meet the Undergraduate Degree Requirements.

This major requires the completion of the World Language requirement.  Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree must complete two years of a single language in high school or one year of a single language in college.

First Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
CMST 2015CMST 208 (Social Science BACR 1)5MATH 1075
ENGL 1015ENGL 2015Diversity - graduation requirement15
Humanities & Arts BACR 115Humanities & Arts BACR 215Social Science BACR 215
 15 15 15
Second Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
CMST 3095Communications Studies Section B Elective25CMST 330 or CSBS 3205
Global Studies - graduation requirement15Communications Studies Section C Elective35Communications Studies Section B Elective25
Natural Science BACR 115Natural Science BACR 215Communications Studies Section C Elective35
 15 15 15
Third Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
Communications Studies Section B Elective25Communications Studies Section C Elective35Elective - minor or general elective5
Communications Studies Section C Elective35Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
 15 15 15
Fourth Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5CMST 490 (Senior Capstone - graduation requirement)5
Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
 15 15 15
Total Credits 180
1

University Graduation Requirements (UGR) and Breadth Area Course Requirements (BACR) courses may be less than 5 credits and additional credits may be required to reach the required 180 total credits needed to graduate.  Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

2

Section B–Required Upper Division Core Credits–choose three 5-credit 400-level CMST courses. The following classes cannot count in this section (B): CMST 480, CMST 481 or CMST 495, CMST 499. Any course used in Section B cannot count in Section C.

3

Section C–Electives- choose 20 credits, any CMST course can count in this area with the exception of CMST 200. Any course used in Section C cannot count in Section B.

University Competencies and Proficiencies

English 
Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning
Placement and Clearance 
Prior Learning/Sources of Credit AP, CLEP, IB

General Education Requirements (GER)

  • Minimum Credits—180 cumulative credit hours 
    • 60 upper-division credits (300 level or above)
    • 45 credits in residence (attendance) at Eastern, with at least 15 upper-division credits in major in residence at Eastern
  • Minimum Cumulative GPA ≥2.0

Breadth Area Core Requirements (BACR)

Humanities and Arts 
Natural Sciences 
Social Sciences

University Graduation Requirements (UGR)

Diversity Course List
World Language (for Bachelor of Arts)
Global Studies Course List
Minor or Certificate
Senior Capstone Course List

Application for Graduation (use EagleNET) must be made at least two terms in advance of the term expected to graduate (undergraduate and post-baccalaureate).

Use the Catalog Archives to determine two important catalog years.

  1. The catalog in effect at the student's first term of current matriculation is used to determine BACR (Breadth Area Core Requirements) and UGR (Undergraduate Graduation Requirements).
  2. The catalog in effect at the time the student declares a major or minor is used to determine the program requirements.

Students who earn a BA in Communication Studies from EWU should be able to:

  • apply ethical communication principles to message composition or analysis;
  • craft compelling written messages;
  • deliver an effective public speech;
  • demonstrate the ability to design or conduct sound communication research;
  • use communication theories to critically analyze the characteristics of mediated messages.

Sample Communication Studies Courses

CMST 241. EVENT PLANNING AND LOGISTICS. 3 Credits.

Includes varying aspects of professional event planners, what it takes to be a successful event planner, as well as the processes used to design, plan, and execute a variety of different events. Provides instruction on the basic structure of event planning, design, marketing, execution, and evaluation, as well as basic business and employment skills necessary to be successful in the event industry.

Catalog Listing

CMST 338. SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AND PLANNING. 3 Credits.

Notes: DESN 216 is recommended, but not required.
Pre-requisites: CMST 337.
Designed to discuss the differences between various social media platforms. Includes how to take advantage of the different platforms' strengths and get hands-on experience planning, creating, and posting content tailored to each individual channel. Covers well-established platforms as well as new and emerging services.

Catalog Listing

Why Study Communication at the Region's Polytechnic?

Get a hands-on education, real-world experience, and personalized support from faculty so you can launch your career with confidence.

Small Class Sizes

Most classes are limited to 30 students so you can get personalized guidance.

Expert Faculty

Learn from leading researchers and seasoned industry pros who provide valuable insights.

Hands-On Experience

Put theory into action through real-world case studies, projects, and internships.

High-Value Education

You don't have to sacrifice quality to get an education you can afford.

Career-Preparedness

Master in-demand skills and participate in workshops and networking events.

Where Our Graduates Work

  • Starbucks Corporate
  • Disney
  • Amazon
  • Washington State Legislature
  • Leading PR and marketing agencies
"When I started in the [Communication Studies] program, that is really when I found my community at EWU. The classes are small enough to create those one-on-one connections with professors and other students, and those connections have opened so many doors for me. Every staff member is eager to help propel students into their career and are willing to help in any way they can." — Mia Blomgren

Career Possibilities

  • Television producer
  • Radio host
  • Broadcast journalist
  • Multimedia journalist
  • News reporter
  • Investigative reporter
  • Video producer
  • Editor
  • Copywriter

  • Public relations specialist
  • Communications director
  • Social media manager
  • Marketing strategist
  • Advertising copywriter
  • Brand manager
  • Content creator
  • SEO specialist

  • Public speaking coach
  • Motivational speaker
  • Nonprofit communications manager
  • Advocacy campaign director
  • Community outreach coordinator
  • Fundraising communications specialist

  • Political communications director
  • Public affairs specialist
  • Speechwriter
  • Lobbyist
  • International relations specialist
  • Cross-cultural communication consultant
  • Diplomacy and communications officer

  • Communications consultant
  • Media analyst
  • Market research analyst
  • Consumer insights specialist
  • Event planner
  • Brand strategist
  • Communication strategy advisor

A Communication Studies degree gives you versatile skills that can take you almost anywhere, from digital marketing and consumer research to health communication, social media, and beyond. This option may be the right choice if you want to build in-demand communication skills that can translate across industries.

You won’t navigate your journey alone—your professors, EWU Career Center advisors, and the Eagle Career Network will be there to guide you. You’ll graduate ready to launch your career and thrive in it.

Explore what you can do with a Communication Studies degree:

Apply to EWU
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Location
Communications Building
110 Media Lane
Cheney, WA 99004

P: 509.359.2313
E: tlittell1@ewu.edu

 

We envision a future of creators, leaders, and innovators who elevate the human experience and change the world for the better.

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