Communication Major Requirements

Graduation with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication requires a total of 34 course units, including 14 courses in the major:

• Two introductory core Communication courses designed to expose students to major topics in the field;
• COMM 2100 (formerly 210): Quantitative Research Methods (or an approved research methods course from other departments at Penn);
• Eight additional Communication courses.  A minimum of four of these must be at the 300 to 499 level;
• Three non-Comm elective courses from other schools and departments that support a student's interests in Communication. All non-Comm electives must be related to the student’s Comm major and be pre-approved by a member of the Comm Undergraduate Advising Team.
• Students who decide to enroll in a concentration or the Communication and Public Service program have more structured requirements for the completion of their 14 major credits.

Peruse our course offerings to learn more about the Communication major curriculum.

In addition, students can take advantage of our many academic opportunities including choosing a concentration, engaging in the Communication and Public Service (ComPS) program, completing a thesis and graduate with honors, creating their own independent study, participating in an internship for credit, conducting research with a faculty member, and studying abroad.

Communication majors are eligible for a variety of academic honors and awards.

Course Requirements

Introductory Core Courses

Students must complete two of the following three courses, all designed to introduce students to major Communication theories, research, and substantive topics of study. These courses must be completed by the second semester of their Junior year. If a student completes all three introductory core survey courses, the third course may count towards their intermediate COMM elective requirement. The three introductory courses are:

• COMM 1230 (formerly 123): Critical Approaches to Popular Culture
• COMM 1250 (formerly 125): Introduction to Communication Behavior
• COMM 1300 (formerly 130): Media Industries and Society

Research Methods

To fulfill the research methods requirement, students are required to complete: 

• COMM 2100 (formerly 210): Quantitative Research Methods in Communication

COMM 2100 is Annenberg’s flagship research methods course and is required of all majors*.  The course prepares students to understand the logic of social science research, to view research with a critical eye, and to conduct research independently. COMM 2100 is offered every semester. All Comm majors are encouraged to complete the research methods course requirement as early as possible; doing so will prepare students for all Communication courses. Students in the ComPS Program or those interested in writing a Senior Honors Thesis are required to complete the Research Methods course requirement no later than the second semester of their Junior year.

*If necessary, one of the approved courses below can be substituted for COMM 2100 (formerly 210). 

• MKTG 2120 (formerly 212): Data and Analysis for Marketing Decisions
• SOCI 2000 (formerly 100)/HSOC 2002 (formerly 100): Sociological Research Methods
• URBS 2000 (formerly 200): Introduction to Urban Research
• INTR 3500 (formerly 350): Research Methods/Practice in International Relations (Note: Only available to Communication and International Relations double majors.)

Communication Major Elective Courses

Students are required to complete eight COMM courses in addition to the two required introductory core survey courses, a research methods course, and three non-comm electives. Students who complete a third introductory core survey course can count the course toward their intermediate COMM elective requirement. A minimum of four COMM courses at the 3000 to 4999 level are required.

A complete listing of Communication courses can be found here. As you peruse the course list, bear in mind the following:
 

Non-Comm Elective Courses

Students may take up to three non-comm elective courses from other schools and departments that support a student's interests in Communication. All non-comm electives must be related to the student’s Comm major and be pre-approved by a member of the Comm Undergraduate Advising Team by emailing a full syllabus and a brief synopsis of why the course should be evaluated for non-comm elective consideration to nce@asc.upenn.edu. Students may also email nce@asc.upenn.edu to ask if a course has already been evaluated and approved for non-comm elective credit. Students who declare a concentration must have two of the three non-comm electives approved for their concentration. Students who declare the ComPS program must have all three non-comm electives approved for the ComPS program.

General Policies

All courses that count toward the major must be taken for a letter grade (not pass/fail). However, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, pass/fail courses from Spring '20, Fall '20 & Spring '21 can, per the College of Arts and Science's adjusted policies, count toward the major. From Fall '21 onwards the College's normal P/F policies once again apply. Courses taken during and after Fall '21 cannot count towards the major if they are taken P/F.

A maximum of three major courses may be transferred from another college or university, including courses completed while studying abroad. Undergraduates are generally ineligible to register for graduate level courses. Students who may have an interest in a specific graduate course are advised to contact the Registrar, Basha Starr, well in advance of the registration period.

Annenberg students, as members of the Penn community, are responsible for adhering to the principles and spirit of the Code of Academic Integrity.