The Undergraduate Advising Center advises Pre-Communication
Studies students until they meet the following requirements for
Communication Studies:
Once a student meets these requirements, the student goes to the Communication
Studies Department for advising.
The following are steps to take when advising a Pre-Communication Studies
student:
Refer to the current catalog to view all Communication Studies major
requirements.
____Explain the “Communication Studies Major Requirements checklist”
1. Walk through the admission requirements for Communication Studies
(i.e. Credits, GPA, Courses)
a. The COMM department makes no exceptions when it comes to
the GPA requirement
2. Explain major requirements. Students need a minimum of 35 Communication
Studies credits to get the degree. 18 COMM credits must be Upper
Division
3. Walk though the Core Requirements with the student
a. Can only take lower division COMM courses while a Pre-Comm
major
b. COMM 460/461 co-requisites (depending on who is teaching 460
- refer to class schedule)
c. All statistics courses require completion of Math 117, plus
it meets the Math competency requirement (need a “C”
or better). Though Math 117 is not a direct requirement for COMM
majors, it can be looked upon as a “hidden” requirement
____Explain the “Option” situation for this major.
1. There are three Options from which to choose (Refer student
to the “Communication Studies Handbook” for option descriptions)
2. An option is recommended but not required
3. In addition to the Core requirements, students can choose to
select elective Communication courses to reach the 35 credit requirement,
or they can work on an option (backside of COMM checklist)
4. Option benefits: a) focuses the student’s area of study
b) increases work force marketability
____Appropriate referrals to the department are very important
1. Students with low GPA & many credits: (when it would be
extremely hard for them to increase their GPA to the 2.5 level):
a) Have them read the “Survival
Guide”
b) May need to consider an alternative major
c) Refer the student to the department (LA 301) with questions
or concerns
2. Transfer work evaluations:
a) Refer students to LA 301 for a transfer evaluation
b) Remind students to bring a transcript with them. Keep a copy
of the evaluation for their own file
3. Students close to achieving admission requirements:
a) Make sure students have a good grasp of GER’s and other
UM requirements
b) Students will choose their own COMM faculty advisor once they
are in that department
