gareis@pitt.edu
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMMUNICATION MAJOR?
In addition to completing all basic skills and
disciplinary approach courses required by A&S, a COMMRC major must
complete 33 credits (11 courses) from the major. The distribution of
these 11 courses is 3 Intro courses (0300, 0310, 0320), Public Speaking
(0520) and 1 additional 500 level course (0500, 0510, 0530, 0540, 0550)
and any six of the 1000 level courses. (Link to requirement sheet)
IS THERE A FOREIGN LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT OR MATH REQUIREMENT NEEDED FOR THE COMMRC MAJOR?
Because the Communication Department is part of the
School of Arts and Sciences, the major has no general education
requirements apart from those required of all students in Arts and
Sciences. For a listing of those general education requirements visit
here.
WHEN SHOULD I SEE A COMMRC ADVISOR?
A student should see as COMMRC advisor when they:
Have specific questions about the COMMRC major requirements or courses.
Have questions about career or graduate school options.
First declare the major, prior to group registration.
Register for each semester.
Have applied for graduation to double check status.
HOW DO I DECLARE THE MAJOR?
Before declaring a major in Communication, students must
complete the three core courses (COMMRC 0300, 0310, and 0320) with a
minimum grade of a C. To declare, a student must fill out an Undergraduate Academic Program Change form available from the A&S Advising Center in 201 Thackeray Hall.
Prior to declaring, the Communication advisors are
available to answer questions related to the major. COMMRC advisors
will not register a student until s/he has declared.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR GRADUATION?
A student applies for graduation as soon as s/he has
registered for and confirmed the schedule of classes for his or her
last semester. Application for Graduation forms are
available in the Student Records Office (140 Thackeray). Students are
urged to complete and return graduation applications by the stated
deadline so that all requirements can be confirmed before the end of
add/drop.
HOW DO I SCHEDULE A VISIT TO THE COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT?
While campus visits and classroom visits are arranged
through the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, visits to the
COMMRC department may be scheduled through a COMMRC advisor. Contact a
COMMRC advisor by emailing
Dr. Gareis.
WHY DOESN'T THE COMMRC DEPARTMENT OFFER A MAJOR IN PR, ADVERTISING, OR BROADCASTING?
Years ago, the Communication Department at Pitt decided
that it was going to offer a Liberal Arts, rather than a technical
based major. Despite that fact, most of our majors who use the degree
as terminal (not for graduate school), find jobs in PR, Advertising,
and Broadcast. They accomplish this by coupling their course work with
up to four internships (12 credits) with agencies in Pittsburgh or
beyond. Because of the University's proximity to the city and our
connection with state, national, and international organizations,
students find abundant opportunities to work with experts and state of
the art equipment in their chosen fields. For a listing of internship
opportunities visit here.
HOW DO I GET AN INTERNSHIP? Please visit here.
WHAT UNDERGRADUATE CLUBS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES ARE SPONSORED BY THECOMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT?
The Communication Department is proud to sponsor two student organizations offered exclusively for undergraduate majors.
The Undergraduate Communication Club
is a student-run organization that attempts to answer the question,
“What can I do with a Communication Major?” They hold
monthly meetings and sponsor guest speakers, field trips, and workshops
to help students make career and life decisions.
The Omicron Psi Chapter of Lambda Pi Eta
is an honorary society sponsored by the National Communication
Association. COMMRC majors are eligible for membership after they have
completed 60 credit hours with an overall GPA of 3.0 and a COMMRC major
GPA (at least 12 credits completed) of at least a 3.25. There is a one
time membership fee of $30.00, payable to the National Communication
Association. Membership entitles students to full participation in the
society's activities and functions and recognition at the Departmental
graduation reception. For information contact Dr. Gareis.
The Communication Department also sponsors two
competitions annually. The first is the Undergraduate Oratory
Competition, and the second is the Spiegel Essay Competition.
ARE THERE ANY ON-CAMPUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN BROADCASTING OR JOURNALISM?
UPTV21 is a student-run broadcast television station.
WPTS is a student-run broadcast radio station.
The Pitt News is a student-run newspaper.
Please note that these are independent organizations, and are not sponsored by the Communication Department.
