University Scholars Program in Communication Studies

Communication Studies majors admitted into this program will be able to earn both the B.A. and M.A. in Communication Studies at the University of Alabama in five years.   For the highly motivated and academically gifted student, this program offers several distinct advantages:

 

¨      Faster, more economical plan of study than earning the two degrees separately

¨      Richer undergraduate degree experience, fewer unrelated core courses and more courses in the major

¨      Stronger mentoring relationship with the faculty

¨      Greater opportunity to develop understanding of the field in preparation for doctoral work

 

Admission into the University Scholars Program occurs in two phases.  Phase I begins at the beginning of the third year, after the successful completion of 61 semester hours of study with a 3.3 GPA or better.  Phase II begins after the completion of 91 semester hours, with a 3.3 GPA or better, when the student applies for admission to the Graduate School.  Upon admission to the Graduate School, the student will be allowed to take graduate-level courses and begin a program of study leading to the Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies.   A typical five-year plan of study for the University Scholars Program in Communication Studies is shown below.

 

The first two years focus primarily on completing University core requirements and courses fundamental for the major in Communication Studies.

Fall

Spring

Courses

Hours

Courses

Hours

Year One

COM 100 (HU) or COM elective                                     

EN 101                                                   

Fine Arts elective (FA)             

General elective                                                  

Natural Science (N)                                               

                                                                 

3

3

3

3

4

16

COM 101 (SB) or COM elective                              

EN 102                                                                    

Mathematics  (MA)                                                        

SB course or Minor elective
Natural Science (N)

3

3

3

3

4

16

Year Two

COM 121/122, 123, or 210 (HU)
FL or C course            

History sequence I (HI)

Literature course (L)   

SB course                     

 

3

4/3

3
3
3
16/15

COM electives                                                        

FL or C course

History sequence II (HI)
Minor elective                                                 

                                                                    

6
4/3
3
3
16/15


Phase I of University Scholars Program

 

Admission to Phase I is chiefly determined by the department's recommendation of a student's talents, motivation, and potential for graduate study to the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies in CIS and to the Dean of the Graduate School.   Students who are designated as University Scholars in Phase I will have academic advisors who help guide them through the completion of their B.A. degree and prepare them for the process of applying for Graduate School.  These students will take at least four more undergraduate courses in Communication Studies during their third year.

Year Three

COM 300                                     

COM elective, 300-400 level (W)                

Minor electives                                                     

Special requirement                                 

3
3
6
3
15

COM 310 (W)                                                  

COM 499                                                                                                    

Minor electives                                                         

Special requirement                                    

3
3
6
3
15

 

 

Phase II of University Scholars Program


Admission to Phase II occurs when the student is officially admitted to the Graduate School.  Application for graduate study is also by invitation and is facilitated by, but not dependent upon, participation in Phase I.  Students may apply for Graduate School if they have grade point averages of not less than 3.3 in all courses. Transfer students are subject to residence regulations and must have completed the last 30 hours in residence. Admission to the Graduate School will be granted if the student has (a) met all the admission criteria for the graduate program, (b) completed three-fourths of the hours required for the major and the minor, and (c) been recommended by the department. (In special circumstances, the department may elect to invite an application and recommend acceptance of an applicant with a GPA of 3.0 or higher).

 

Upon admission to Phase II at the start of the fourth year, the University Scholar student completes requirements for the B.A. degree, begins a program of study leading to the Master Arts degree in Communication Studies, and becomes eligible to apply for a graduate assistantship.

 

Year Four

COM elective, 300-400 level                  

COM 500 level elective (not an M.A. core course)

Minor electives, 300/400 level                              

Special requirement                                 

3
3
6
3
15

COM 500 level elective

COM 513, 569 (or approved course in diversity)

Minor electives, 300/400 level                                                                                        

Special requirement                                    

General elective                                           

3

3

3
3
3
15


In the fifth year of the program, University Scholars may hold graduate assistantships and choose from three plans of study:  Plan 1-thesis option, Plan 2-comprehensive exam, and Plan 2-professional practicum.
 

Year Five

Plan 1: Thesis Option  (available only to COM majors enrolled in the Univ. Honors College)

COM 545
Research Methods Course                                        

COM 561  

COM 599 Thesis research                              

 

3
3
3
3
12

CIS 605 or COM 541                                                    

COM 548                                                    

COM or MC 500/600 level                                              

COM 599 Thesis research                           Thesis Defense

3
3
3
3
12

Plan 2: Comprehensive Examination Option

COM 545                                                     

Research Methods Course

COM 561
COM elective, 500 level                          

 

3
3
3
3
12

CIS 605 or COM 541                                                   

COM 548                                                                                                   

COM or MC 500/600 level

Comprehensive Exam 

3
3
3
9

Plan 2: Professional/Practicum Option

COM 545                                                     

COM 561                           

COM elective, 500 level
COM or MC 500/600 level                        

 

3
3
3
3
12

CIS 605 or COM 541                                                                                                       
COM 548
COM 590 or COM 598

Final Practicum Report                                      

3
3
3
9

 

For more information about this program, please contact --

 

Dr. Beth S. Bennett, Department Chair

 

Phone: 205-348-8073

E-mail: bbennett@ua.edu