•Solely responsible for this Directed Independent Study (DIS) degree program initiating proposal •Over 6 years proficient experience in evaluating transfer equivalencies and course requirements •Experience in post-secondary curriculum and transfer articulation •Compiled, evaluated and presented in written proposal institutional degree program data to support the advantages of adding a B.S. degree to Communication Studies department. •Collaborated with Dr. Olsen (Faculty) and Teresa Rodgers (Staff) to effectively interpret, analyze and select relevant data to include in final proposal summary.

1. UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAM PROPOSAL
TITLE:
Proposal to institute a B.S. degree in Communication Studies at University North Carolina at
Wilmington.
DATE OF PREPARATION:
July 24, 2009
INTRODUCTION:
The objective of establishing a B.S. degree program in Communication Studies is to give
students more extensive curriculum options in this area of study. The Bachelor’s of Science
degree affords students a more mathematically and scientifically inclined challenge throughout
the program by introducing applied quantitative research in communications, statistics, survey
sampling and stronger math skill requirement courses. In addition to options for students, the
prospective student population will also have this new degree program option for those students
that have an inclination towards a B.S. degree, mathematics, quantitative research and
business/professional communication and those who simply gravitate more towards math or
demonstrate exceptional mathematical abilities through high school AP, math placement, SAT
and ACT scores.
The B.S. degree in Communication Studies needs to be approved by the Communication Studies
faculty, Department Chair and other departmental administrators providing assistance with
courses stated as “gateway” or “core requirements” not offered by the Department of
Communication Studies.
The program is expected to become available to students Fall 2009 semester. No new faculty
hires are required or necessary at this point to establish this degree program. Course approvals
are still pending degree program approval by the department in order to begin first availability of
course offerings Fall 2009. The preparation and availability of catalog copies may have to be
extended to the 2010-2011 catalog. A formal program proposal will have to be submitted to the
Registrar’s Office following approval for the development of articulation agreements with North
Carolina Universities, Community Colleges and other accredited universities/colleges.
1. Admission year for first cohort of freshman: Spring 2010
2. Admission year for first cohort of junior transfers: Fall 2009
3. Anticipated year of awarding first degrees: Fall 2010 (If student has most of the degree
program requirements and has Senior Standing)
The proposed B.S. in Communication Studies program is modeled after the already existing B.A.
degree program offered by the Communication Studies department. The academic plan was
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2. modified using the University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL) B.S. in Communication Studies
program. The reason why the proposed curriculum can be offered effectively as of Fall 2009
semester beginning August 19, 2008 is because the program has been modeled after an existing
degree program structure at UNCW. The effect of the proposed program on other programs
offered by the sponsoring department will be minimal and can be modified gradually as student
interest and enrollment in the degree program increases. There will be an interrelationship of this
program with other University of North Carolina campuses and/or regional public or private
institutions if applicable following approval of revised/modified articulation agreements. Based
on the research of 117 four-year university institutions in 41 out of 50 U.S. states offering a
degree in Communication Studies only 2 schools (University of Miami and Southeast Missouri
State University) have the possibility of becoming competition based on the similarities of the
B.S. degree program to be offered by UNCW.
PROGRAM
Pedagogical goals:
Students will have to demonstrate an understanding of communication contexts such as
intrapersonal, organizational, public speaking, business and professional public communication
skills. Students will also have the ability to demonstrate an understanding of generating
knowledge relating to the human communication process and social interaction using appropriate
methods focused mainly on quantitative analysis and research (surveys, experimental design, and
content analysis).
Admission requirements:
To be accepted into the B.S. in Communication Studies degree program the student will be
required to become a Pre-Communication Studies (PCOM) major. The same terms will apply as
those students applying for the B.A. program. Students who have earned a minimum 24 semester
credit hours and successfully complete COM 105 Introduction to Communication Studies with a
grade of "B" or higher are eligible to declare PCOM by completing an application.
B.S. Requirements:
A PCOM major becomes a communication studies (COM) major by earning a grade of "B" or
above in CSC 105 Introduction to Computing and Computer Applications; MAT 111 College
Algebra or MAT 115 Pre-calculus; COM 105 Introduction to Communication Studies and
COM 200 Research Methods. All UNCW continuing and transfer students are subject to this
gateway at the time of application.
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3. To earn a B. S. degree in communication studies, the following core courses must be completed:
Course requirements:
"GATEWAY" CORE COURSES:
CSC 105- Introduction to Computing and Computer Applications
MAT 111- College Algebra or MAT 115- Pre-calculusi
COM 105- Introduction to Communication Studies
COM 200- Research Methods
CORE COURSES:
COM 110- Public Speaking
COM 220- Interpersonal Communication
COM 223- Mediation and Conflict Management
COM 270- Writing for Strategic Communication
COM 325- Business and Professional Communication
COM 327- Organizational Communication
COM 360- Applied Quantitative Research in Communications
STT 215- Introduction to Statistics
STT 350- Survey Sampling
Majors must also complete 18 hours of additional COM course work by selecting (2) courses
from the 300 level options and (2) courses from the 400 level options below:
ELECTIVE COURSES:
Choose (2) from 300 level
COM 311- Communication and Leadership
COM 322- Introduction to Public Relations
COM 342- Diversity in Public Communication
COM 375- Communication Ethics
COM 390- Intercultural Communication
COM 391- Interracial Communication
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4. ELECTIVE COURSES:
Choose (2) from 400 level
COM 420- Advanced Interpersonal Communication
COM 422- Advanced Public Relations
COM 423- Negotiation
COM 427- Advanced Organizational Communication
COM 428- Communication Training and Development
COM 430- Communication Consulting
A minimum 2.50 GPA is required for the core classes (27 hours) and required "18 additional
hours" of communication studies course work.
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Math placement exam may be required to place student in degree program required math course of MAT 11 or
MAT 115 or AP and CLEP scores may be evaluated to fulfill math requirement
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