Academic Programs Catalog

College of Communication Arts and Sciences

Undergraduate Programs

Students meeting the general requirements for admission as freshmen and sophomores to the university are enrolled in the Neighborhood Student Success Collaborative. Such students may declare a major preference in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences and be assigned an advisor from the college.

When students reach sophomore standing (28 credits), their academic records are evaluated to determine if they meet the requirements for admission into the college.

Students within the college are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor before they enroll in courses. Students are encouraged to elect courses in the college consistent with the requirements of their majors and consistent with their academic and career goals.

Students who are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs in the college may elect the Minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies. For additional information, refer to the statement on Minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies in the College of Natural Science section of this catalog.

Students who are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences may elect a Minor in Film Studies. For additional information, refer to the statement on Minor in Film Studies in the Department of English section of this catalog or contact the Department of English or the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.

Students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs in The Eli Broad College of Business, the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, and the College of Engineering may elect a Minor in Information Technology. For additional information, refer to the statement on Minor in Information Technology in The Eli Broad College of Business section of this catalog or contact The Eli Broad College of Business.

Admission to the College of Communication Arts and Sciences

The number of students admitted to advertising creative, advertising management, and journalism is limited. For additional information, refer to the statements on the Department of Advertising and Public Relations and the School of Journalism.

The minimal college criteria for admission to any of the majors in the college are:

  1. Completion of at least 28 credits acceptable to the college.
  2. An academic record in all work accepted by the college which at least meets the requirements of Academic Standing of Undergraduate Students. Included in this must be a grade–point average of not less than 2.00 in all courses taken in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.
  3. Acceptance as a major in a department or school of the college.

Graduation Requirements

  1. The university requirements for the bachelor's degree as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog.
  2. A minimum of 60 credits in courses given outside the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.
  3. The specific requirements of a major program, with no more than the maximum number of credits that is permitted in the major.  (Refer to the statements for the academic units in the college that follow.)
  4. A minimum grade–point average of 2.00 in courses taken in the student's major.
  5. At least 40 credits in courses numbered at the 300 and 400 levels.

Honors Study

The College of Communication Arts and Sciences encourages honors students to develop distinctive undergraduate programs in the fields offered by the academic units. A member of the faculty is selected to serve as advisor to Honors College students in each major field, and it is the advisor's responsibility to help the student plan a rigorous and balanced program which will also reflect the student's special interests and competencies. Independent study experience is strongly encouraged when relevant to the student's total program.