About our Major and Minors
Communication Major and Minor
Communication is the primary social process in all aspects of personal, professional, and public life. As a major or minor in communication, students are exposed to the breadth of the discipline and will learn how to create, critique, and connect messages in a variety of formats. In communication, students take courses that focus on communication patterns in relationships and organizations, they will learn how communicative practices can be used in social justice advocacy and be exposed to journalism and media studies. Courses in communication also satisfy various Core Curriculum requirements.
Students can gain practical experience by participating in student media (the Vista, USDtv, and USDRadio) or working as an intern in a communication related field. Taken together the communication curriculum prepares students to become ethical and effective leaders in any professional field.
Read our Communication Learning Outcomes.
Public Relations Minor
The public relations (PR) minor at USD prepares students to build and maintain mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their stakeholders. Students in the PR minor will create and critically analyze communication strategies that organizations employ to cultivate mutual trust and respect, while also effectively influencing and empowering their stakeholders.
Learn more about our PR Minor.
Student Resources
Learn more about our courses, advising or see a list of equipment communication students can rent by clicking on a button below.
Units Needed
26 units
Communication Major
18 units
Communication Minor
18 units
Public Relations Minor
- Communication Major
- Communication Minor
- Public Relations Minor
The Communication Major
Preparation for the Major
Required Lower-Division Core | ||
COMM 100 | Communication in Everyday Life | 3 |
COMM 103 | Public Speaking | 3 |
COMM 200 | Communication Inquiry | 3 |
Select 1 Course (3 Units) from the Following: | 3 | |
COMM 210 | Topics in Communication | |
COMM 220 | Journalism and Public Relations Writing | |
COMM 230 | Topics in Communication as a Social Science | |
COMM 240 | Topics in Domestic Communication Diversity | |
COMM 250 | Topics in Global Communication Diversity | |
COMM 260 | Topics in Communicating Data | |
Total Units | 12 | |
Major Requirements
Required Upper-Division Theory Course: | ||
COMM 300 | Communication Theory | 3 |
Select 1 Methods Class (3 Units) from the Following: | 3 | |
COMM 302 | Quantitative Communication Research | |
COMM 304 | Qualitative Communication Research | |
COMM 306 | Communication Criticism | |
Select 1 Course (3 Units) from the Following Courses Focused on Social Justice and Advocacy | 3 | |
COMM 335 | Media Law and Policy | |
COMM 338 | Media and Conflict | |
COMM 360 | Public Relations and Community Advocacy | |
COMM 370 | Rhetoric | |
COMM 384 | Media and the Marginalized | |
COMM 442 | Critical Whiteness Communication | |
COMM 445 | Gender Communication | |
COMM 460 | Persuasion and Influence | |
COMM 462 | Political Communication | |
Select 1 Course (3 units) from the Following Courses Focused on Relational and Organizational Development | 3 | |
COMM 325 | Interpersonal Communication | |
COMM 326 | Nonverbal Communication | |
COMM 340 | Health Communication | |
COMM 350 | Small Group Communication | |
COMM 353 | Organizational Communication | |
COMM 358 | Public Relations | |
COMM 422 | Family Communication | |
COMM 455 | Interviewing and Negotiating | |
COMM 475 | Intercultural Communication | |
COMM 481 | International Topics in Human Communication | |
COMM 488 | Global Team Development | |
Select 1 Course (3 Units) from the Following Courses Focused on Media Studies and Production | 3 | |
COMM 320 | Contemporary Print Journalism | |
COMM 330 | Media Processes and Effects | |
COMM 333 | Podcast Storytelling | |
COMM 356 | Strategic Communication | |
COMM 380 | International Media | |
COMM 421 | Multimedia Journalism | |
COMM 432 | Film and Cultural Politics | |
COMM 433 | American Independent Cinema | |
COMM 434 | Documentary Film | |
COMM 480 | Advanced Topics in International Media | |
COMM 482 | Children and Media | |
COMM 483 | Teens and Popular Culture | |
Select 9 Units of Upper-Division Communication Electives, if not used to Satisfy Other Upper-Division Requirements (Above) | 9 | |
Select 1 class (2-3 units) from the following: | 2 | |
COMM 492 | Communication Seminar | |
COMM 498 | Communication Internship | |
Total Units | 26 | |