Courses | B.A. in Communication
Below are the course requirements for this academic program. In addition to these program-specific requirements, all majors include Biola's traditional undergraduate core curriculum. For more program details, including a sample course sequence, .
Writing Competency Requirement
Every Biola student must fulfill the Writing Competency Requirement (WCR). Students fulfill the WCR by passing with a C+ or better or by earning a C+ or better in the writing capstone project of for students in the Torrey Honors College. If they fail to meet this requirement, they must consult with their major advisor for an alternative WCR pathway. For more information, see the .
GPA Requirements
Communication, B.A. majors must achieve a minimum grade of a C in all major courses taken at Biola. Anyone receiving a lower grade must repeat the course with a higher grade to receive credit for the course.
Communication Forum
Students in the Division of Communication are required to attend the Communication Forum each semester. During this event, students will complete their academic advising, as well as participate in conversations valuable to their curricular and co-curricular experience within the program.
When a student is unable to attend the Communication Forum, they must complete a formal proposal for the absence, to the division, at least one month prior to the event. The student is responsible to obtain the required form from the department. It is also the responsibility of the student to complete and submit the form by the deadline.
Students who have an accepted proposal for absence are required to individually make up the missing information through an additional assignment. A written report is required from students, two weeks before class registration, in order to complete their requirement for missing the forum.
Internship
Internship, comprising a total of 3 credits, is required for graduation in the Communication, B.A. major. Students will complete the 1-credit course //, as well as the 2-credit course, //. Students may take the internship courses multiple times to complete more internships for credit. Students, guided by their academic advisor, are encouraged to pursue other (non-credit) internships to gain as much hands-on experience as possible before their senior year. Students must take the internship courses as ordered by prerequisites, but internships (for credit or for non-credit) may be completed any semester or during the summer under supervision of department faculty, guided by stipulations of the Internship packet.
No more than 6 credits of Internship may be applied toward major requirements.
Digital Journalism and Media Concentration
Senior Portfolio Review
All students in the Digital Journalism and Media concentration are expected to complete a portfolio review before graduating.
The portfolio consists of the student's best work, completed through coursework or internships during the time they have been enrolled in the concentration. The review will be completed by a committee of full-time faculty (with input from a professional outside of the institution) as well as by the instructor for the Media Capstone course during the selected semester.
The student's portfolio will be rated for competency or non-competency. Competent work can also be rated as exemplary. Students whose portfolio does not earn at least a competency rating must re-submit their portfolio to the Review Committee or retake the course (if the grade requires such).
Timing of the portfolio review ideally will be the semester before graduating (typically fall semester of the senior year in a normal four-year undergraduate cycle).
Traditional students should schedule a preliminary portfolio review with their academic advisor at the end of five semesters to plan successful completion of the portfolio review. Transfer students should schedule a preliminary portfolio review after two semesters.
Scheduling of the Senior Portfolio review will be completed as part of the Capstone course requirements. Any exception to this plan must be approved by the full-time faculty.
Public Relations Concentration
Senior Portfolio Review and Certificate
All students in the Public Relations concentration are expected to complete a portfolio review as well as the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations examination prior to graduation.
The portfolio consists of the student's best work during the time they have been enrolled in the major. The review will be completed by a committee of full-time faculty.
The student's portfolio will be rated for competency or non-competency. Competent work can also be rated as exemplary. Students whose portfolio does not earn at least a competency rating must re-submit their portfolio to the Review Committee or retake the Senior Portfolio and Certificate course (if the grade requires such).
Also as part of the graduation requirements as well as the Senior Portfolio and Certificate course, students will prepare and complete the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations examination.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Communication majors meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 6 credits in communication and mathematics within the major. | ||
| Program Courses | ||
| The following program courses are requirements for all concentrations. | ||
| The Rhetorical Act 1 | 3 | |
| Interpersonal Communication | 3 | |
| Communication Theories | 3 | |
| Methods of Communication Research | 3 | |
| Organizational Communication | 3 | |
| Communication and Diversity | 3 | |
| Foundations of Journalism | 3 | |
| Business Statistics 2 | 3 | |
| Introduction to Public Relations | 3 | |
| Writing for the Field (Select one as appropriate for the chosen concentration detailed below): | 3 | |
| History of Communication | ||
| Writing Across Media | ||
| Writing for Public Relations | ||
| Internship Requirements (Select one as appropriate for the chosen concentration detailed below): | 3 | |
& | Communication Internship and Advanced Communication Internship | |
& | Media Internship and Advanced Internship and Career Preparation in Media | |
& | Public Relations Internship & Applied Experience and Advanced Internship and Career Preparation in Public Relations | |
| Program Course Requirements: 33 credits | ||
| Select a concentration below | 27 | |
| 68 | ||
| Total Credits | 128 | |
- 1
Fulfills the Communication Core Curriculum requirement.
- 2
Fulfills the Mathematics Core Curriculum requirement.
Concentrations
Students must choose one of three concentrations:
- Communication Studies
- Digital Journalism and Media
- Public Relations
Communication Studies
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Communication Studies students must take the following courses: | ||
| Small Group Communication | 3 | |
| Communication in the Workplace | 3 | |
| Persuasive Communication | 3 | |
| Nonverbal Communication | 3 | |
| or | Political Communication | |
| Organizational Rhetoric | 3 | |
| Health Communication | 3 | |
| or | Religion and American Public Life | |
| or | Communication and Calling | |
| Intercultural Communication | 3 | |
| Family Communication | 3 | |
| or | Gender Communication | |
| or | Marriage and Relationship Communication | |
| or | Leadership Communication | |
| Advanced Methods of Research | 3 | |
| or | Rhetorical Criticism | |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
Digital Journalism and Media
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Journalism and Media students must take the following courses: | ||
| Multimedia Reporting | 3 | |
| Introduction to Broadcast Journalism | 3 | |
| Audio Workshop | 1 | |
| TV Directing Workshop | 1 | |
| Video Workshop | 1 | |
| Studio Production | 3 | |
| Editing and Digital Media Management | 3 | |
| Media Law | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics of Media | 3 | |
| Media Capstone | 3 | |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Sports Media | ||
| Data Reporting and Visualization | ||
| Media Narrative Project | ||
| Soc Media, SEO, and Digital Strategy | ||
| Total Credits | 27 | |
Public Relations
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations students must take the following courses: | ||
| Public Relations: History & Foundations | 3 | |
| Multimedia Channels | 1 | |
| Media Design Essentials | 3 | |
| Public Relations Career Readiness | 1 | |
| Soc Media, SEO, and Digital Strategy | 3 | |
| PR Ethics | 3 | |
| Crisis Communication & Reputation Management | 3 | |
| Media Relations | 3 | |
| PR Principles, Law, & Global Influence | 3 | |
| Public Relations Leadership and Advanced Campaign Analysis | 3 | |
| Portfolio and Certificate | 1 | |
| Total Credits | 27 | |