Communication
| Degree: | Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) |
| Major: | Communication |
| Specializations: | Advertising Public Relations and Social Media Communication Studies Digital Storytelling and Journalism |
| Minors: | General Communication Leadership Communication Strategic Communication for the Sciences |
| Certificate: | Social Media Communication |
| Department: | Communication Building 36, Room 178 850-474-2874 http://uwf.edu/communicationdept |
| College: | Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities |
| CIP Code: | 09.0102 |
| Semester Hours Required For Degree: 120 | |
A degree in Communication means professional agility in a rapidly changing world. The Department of Communication empowers students to creatively manage professional communication challenges. Students learn how to design and deliver effective audience-centered messages across a variety of media platforms. Students engage in hands-on learning in the department’s video production and podcasting studios, video editing room, and social media lab. Internships, capstones, and a professional ePortfolio prepare graduates for the workforce. Graduates speak effectively, write clearly, communicate persuasively, solve problems, lead, and practice professional ethics. The Communication major offers three tracks, all with elective options to pursue individual interests. All tracks consist of 48 credit hours.
The Advertising, Public Relations, & Social Media Track builds from a core of integrated advertising, public relations, and social media strategies and tactics. Students in this track choose from concentrations in either Advertising or Public Relations while earning a certificate in Social Media Communication.
The Digital Storytelling & Journalism Track engages in the theory, writing, production, and practice of journalistic, documentary, and cinematic storytelling in a converged media environment. Students can choose between Multimedia Journalism or Digital Cinema & Film concentrations.
The Communication Studies Track provides students the flexibility to build their own areas of specialization according to their professional goals. The Communication Specialist concentration explores the contexts and professional skills needed for public, private, or non-profit industries, while the Communication Studies concentration allows students to draw knowledge from each of the tracks and concentrations.
Program Requirements
Students who are majors in the Department of Communication must complete the Department of Communication core. The 12-hour core consists of the following courses:
| SPC 2608 | Public Speaking + | 3 |
| COM 2713 | Introduction to the Communication Professions + | 3 |
| COM 2203 | Communication Dynamics + | 3 |
| COM 4301 | Applied Communication Research + | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
- +
Courses included in the major GPA.
A maximum of 12 semester hours (sh) of lower division course work in the Department of Communication may be applied to degree requirements. No grade below a "C" in a Department of Communication course may be applied toward graduation.
A minimum grade of "C" is also required for SPC 2608 Public Speaking and COM 2713 Introduction to the Communication Professions.
Internships can be taken more than once, for a maximum of 6 sh, and are available in a variety of settings.
Students must take 18 hours of lower-division courses outside their major beyond the 36 sh of General Education requirements. Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 sh in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4999) to meet this elective requirement.
Students must complete 9 hours of 3000/4000 level electives to meet UWF’s requirement of 48 semester hours in the upper division. Students must complete an additional 3 hours of electives at any level to meet UWF's requirement of 120 semester hours overall.
The department offers three minors for students from other disciplines in which communication plays a vital role.
The General Communication minor is for students from other disciplines in which communication plays a vital role. The minor consists of at least 15 sh of communication courses.
The minor in Leadership Communication promotes leadership communication competencies, self-confidence, ethical character, and service to others. The program involves hands-on learning activities that empower students to apply and to develop leadership skills in a range of university, community, and professional environments.
The minor in Strategic Communication for the Sciences promotes competencies in developing communication strategies, tactics and messaging of scientific knowledge for general audiences. Scientific illiteracy is a significant problem amongst the American public which may lead to increased politicization of scientific issues, misuse or misinterpretation of data, and poor or inaccurate media coverage.
The certificate in Social Media Communication prepares students for the digitally converged communication industry. Courses train students in key skillset areas including public relations, advertising, writing, branding, and the basics of social media. This certificate is offered to any student who wishes to add credentials as they pursue their degree, including Communication majors.
General Education
ADDENDUM - 06/12/2025
In addition to the General Education requirements, students must satisfy all additional State of Florida requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Civic Literacy, and Foreign Language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the State University Requirements and Degree Requirements sections of this catalog.
General Education Curriculum:
Students should take SPC 2608 Public Speaking to meet the Humanities component and MMC 2000 Principles of Mass Communication to meet the Social Sciences component.
Civic Literacy Requirement
The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy by passing an assessment or taking AMH 2020 United States Since 1877 or POS 2041 American Politics.
The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. In 2024, the Board of Governors made an additional revision, recognizing two new courses meeting the Civic Literacy requirement, AMH 2010 United States to 1877 and AMS 2010 Civil Discourse and the American Political Order. As a result, there are four cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions that are subject to varying requirements.
As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.
| Students Included in Cohort | Civic Literacy Competency Requirement |
| Cohort 1: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS before fall 2018 | None |
| Cohort 2: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2018 through Academic Year 2020 | Complete a course or Assessment. |
| Cohort 3: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2021 through Academic Year 2023 | Course and Assessment. |
| Cohort 4: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2024 and thereafter | Course and Assessment. |
Additionally, for Cohorts 3 and 4, approved accelerated mechanisms may meet the course and/or assessment requirement, and students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE) in high school are exempt from the postsecondary exam requirement.
There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan.
Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website, SUS regulation BOG 8.006, and Florida Statute s.1007.25(4,a-b).
Mathematics Pathway
Students are advised to complete the following courses to fulfill the mathematics pathway that aligns with the mathematics skills needed for success in their program and their career goals. Students should refer to their academic advisor for questions about the math pathway for their program. For information about this requirement, refer to the catalog page for Mathematics Pathways. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.
| Mathematical Thinking in Context | ||
| MGF 1130 | Mathematical Thinking | 3 |
| MGF 1131 | Mathematics in Context | 3 |
Common Prerequisites
State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.
| 1000/2000 level courses outside major and beyond the 36 semester hours of General Education requirements. | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Lower Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 semester hours (sh) in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4999) to meet this elective requirement. | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
It is recommended that these courses be taken at the lower division because they are required for the degree.
All students must complete the Department of Communication Core, consisting of 12 credit hours.
Communication Studies Major
| Common Core | 12 | |
| SPC 4680 | Rhetoric, Media, and Civic Life | 3 |
| Choose one writing intensive course: | 3 | |
| Screenwriting for Film, TV, and Digital Media | ||
| Digital and Multimedia Journalism | ||
| Writing Critical Reviews | ||
| Writing for Public Relations | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Choose one of the two concentrations below:
Communication Specialist Concentration
| COM 3014 | Gender Communication | 3 |
| COM 3461 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COM 3465 | Conflict Management | 3 |
| COM 4110 | Business and Professional Communication | 3 |
| COM 4120 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| SPC 3301 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| 9 hours at the 3000/4000 level from ADV, COM, FIL, JOU, MMC, PUR, SPC, or RTV ** | 9 | |
| Capstone: | 3 | |
| Leadership Communication | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- **
COM 4940 Internship in Communication is highly recommended but not required.
Communication Studies Concentration
| 27 hours at the 3000 level or above from ADV, COM, FIL, JOU, MMC, PUR, SPC, or RTV ** | 27 | |
| Capstone: | 3 | |
| Leadership Communication | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- **
COM 4940 Internship in Communication is highly recommended but not required.
Major-Related
Upper-Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 3000/4000 level electives to meet UWF's requirement of 48 hours in the upper division or complete all departmental requirements at the 3000/4000 level, whichever is greater. | 9 | |
| Students must complete sufficient electives to meet UWF's requirement of 120 semester hours overall. | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Major GPA Calculation
The upper-division courses (3000-4000 level) with the following prefixes will be used in calculating the major grade point average: ADV, COM, FIL, JOU, MMC, PUR, SPC, and RTV.
Digital Storytelling and Journalism Specialization
General Education
ADDENDUM - 06/12/2025
In addition to the General Education requirements, students must satisfy all additional State of Florida requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Civic Literacy, and Foreign Language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the State University Requirements and Degree Requirements sections of this catalog.
General Education Curriculum:
Civic Literacy Requirement
The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy by passing an assessment or taking AMH 2020 United States Since 1877 or POS 2041 American Politics.
The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. In 2024, the Board of Governors made an additional revision, recognizing two new courses meeting the Civic Literacy requirement, AMH 2010 United States to 1877 and AMS 2010 Civil Discourse and the American Political Order. As a result, there are four cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions that are subject to varying requirements.
As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.
| Students Included in Cohort | Civic Literacy Competency Requirement |
| Cohort 1: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS before fall 2018 | None |
| Cohort 2: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2018 through Academic Year 2020 | Complete a course or Assessment. |
| Cohort 3: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2021 through Academic Year 2023 | Course and Assessment. |
| Cohort 4: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2024 and thereafter | Course and Assessment. |
Additionally, for Cohorts 3 and 4, approved accelerated mechanisms may meet the course and/or assessment requirement, and students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE) in high school are exempt from the postsecondary exam requirement.
There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan.
Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website, SUS regulation BOG 8.006, and Florida Statute s.1007.25(4,a-b).
Mathematics Pathway
Students are advised to complete the following courses to fulfill the mathematics pathway that aligns with the mathematics skills needed for success in their program and their career goals. Students should refer to their academic advisor for questions about the math pathway for their program. For information about this requirement, refer to the catalog page for Mathematics Pathways. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.
| Mathematical Thinking in Context | ||
| MGF 1130 | Mathematical Thinking | 3 |
| MGF 1131 | Mathematics in Context | 3 |
Common Prerequisites
State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.
| 1000/2000 level courses outside major and beyond the 36 semester hours of General Education requirements. | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Lower Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 semester hours (sh) in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4999) to meet this elective requirement. | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
It is recommended that these courses be taken at the lower division because they are required for the degree.
Major Requirements
| Common Core | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Digital Storytelling & Journalism Major Core
| ADV 3216 | Advertising Graphics I | 3 |
| JOU 4342 | Media Convergence | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Select one of two concentrations below:
Multimedia Journalism
| JOU 3101 | Digital and Multimedia Journalism | 3 |
| JOU 4181 | Public Affairs Reporting | 3 |
| COM 3471 | Fundamentals of Social Media Communication | 3 |
| RTV 3533 | Digital Video Production | 3 |
| RTV 3511 | Video Storytelling | 3 |
| MMC 4201 | Media Law and Ethics | 3 |
| 9 hours at the 3000/4000 level from ADV, COM, FIL, JOU, MMC, PUR, SPC, or RTV ** | 9 | |
| Capstone: | 3 | |
| Practicum: Voyager Multimedia News | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- **
COM 4940 Internship in Communication is highly recommended but not required.
Digital Cinema & Film
| FIL 3427 | Film Production I | 3 |
| FIL 3833 | Film Styles | 3 |
| FIL 4036 | History of Motion Pictures | 3 |
| FIL 4102 | Screenwriting for Film, TV, and Digital Media | 3 |
| FIL 4364 | Documentary Film and Television | 3 |
| FIL 4435 | Film Production II | 3 |
| FIL 4514 | Film Production III | 3 |
| 9 hours at the 3000/4000 level from ADV, COM, FIL, JOU, MMC, PUR, SPC, or RTV ** | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- **
COM 4940 Internship in Communication is highly recommended but not required.
Major-Related
Upper Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 3000/4000 level electives to meet UWF's requirement of 48 semester hours in the upper division or complete all departmental requirements at the 3000/4000 level, whichever is greater. | 9 | |
| Students must complete sufficient electives to meet UWF's requirement of 120 semester hours overall. | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Major GPA Calculation
The upper-division courses (3000-4000 level) with the following prefixes will be used in calculating the major grade point average: ADV, COM, FIL, JOU, MMC, PUR, SPC, and RTV.
General Communication Minor
The department offers a Minor in Communication for students from other disciplines in which communication plays a vital role. The minor consists of at least 15 semester hours (sh) of communication courses. Communication majors may not earn this minor.
| To fulfill the requirements for the minor, a student must complete 15 sh of the required courses in a program of study (advertising, journalism, communication, public relations, telecommunication and film). | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Leadership Communication Minor
The Leadership Communication program promotes leadership communication competencies, self-confidence, ethical character, and service to others. The program involves hands-on learning activities that empower students to apply and to develop leadership skills in a range of university, community, and professional environments. Communication majors may not earn this minor.
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Great Speeches in American History | ||
| Leadership Communication | ||
| Propaganda and Persuasion | ||
| Choose three of the following: | 9 | |
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Gender Communication | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
Advisor Approved Elective | ||
| If not taken at the lower division: | 0-3 | |
| Public Speaking | ||
| Total Hours | 12-15 | |
Strategic Communication for the Sciences Minor
The minor in Strategic Communication for the Sciences promotes competencies in developing communication strategies, tactics and messaging of scientific knowledge for general audiences. Scientific illiteracy is a significant problem amongst the American public which may lead to increased politicization of scientific issues, misuse or misinterpretation of data, and poor or inaccurate media coverage. This minor provides future professionals in the sciences and/or professional communication fields with the skills and knowledge to become effective advocates for the sciences. A "C-" or greater must be earned in all required courses in the minor.
| COM 2713 | Introduction to the Communication Professions | 3 |
| JOU 3101 | Digital and Multimedia Journalism | 3 |
| or SPC 2608 | Public Speaking | |
| or COM 3003 | Integrated Advertising & Public Relations Concepts | |
| Select two 4 semester hour Science Courses With Lab at the 3000 / 4000 level from the following list of prefixes: | 8 | |
BCH, BOT, BSC, CHM, ESC, EVR, EVS, GEA, GEO, GIS, GLY, MCB, OCB, OCC, OCE, OCE, OCG, OCP, PCB, PHY, PHZ, ZOO ++ | ||
| COM 4250 | Strategic Communication for the Sciences | 3 |
| Total Hours | 17 | |
- ++
3000 and 4000 level science courses generally require additional prerequisites which students should consider when fulfilling general education science requirements.