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Fall 2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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Fall 2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Communication, BA

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Department of Communication, School of Communication and Journalism
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts in Communication
 
Dean: Dr. Laura Lindenfeld
Associate Dean and Director of Undergraduate Studies: Irene Virag
Office: Melville Library N-4004
 
Phone: (631) 632-7403
Advising: Visit SoCJ Undergraduate Advising for program resources and ways to connect with an advisor.
 
The Bachelor of Arts in Communication at Stony Brook University prepares students to analyze and synthesize the history, content, use, and effects of different forms of communication, and to apply this understanding to diverse situations. Rooted in social science research, students learn to understand, assess, and think critically about communication, including the examination of how communication shapes, reinforces, and intervenes in systemic inequalities, discrimination, and injustice. Students gain skills and real-world experience in designing communication with understanding and sensitivity toward issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Because interpersonal, intercultural, and team communication are integral to professional success, students develop core strengths in these areas.

Offered through the School of Communication and Journalism, this degree program offers students a blend of research and practice. Students become engaged leaders, collaborators, and problem solvers who are proficient in the study of complex communication challenges and capable of designing effective communication across contexts and industries. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced degree programs or to embark on dynamic competitive careers in an evolving global workforce that depends on outstanding communication.

Degree Requirements

Communication (COM) majors may double major or minor in Journalism (JRN) or Mass Communication (CMM). Required courses that overlap between programs will count towards each program. Double majors and minors cannot get double credit for the same elective. Elective courses will be counted once and only apply to one program. Communication majors may not minor in Communication and Innovation (CBI).

Required Courses (24 credits)

Electives (12 credits)

Choose four of the following:

SBC Courses

This table illustrates major courses that can also be used to fulfill SBC requirements. (See Note 1 & Note 2)

 

SBC Category Required Major Courses Optional Major Courses (see Note 3)
ARTS    
GLO COM 202  
HUM COM 100  
LANG (see Note 4)    
QPS    
SBS COM 100  
SNW    
TECH   COM 407
USA    
WRT    
STAS   COM 415
EXP+ COM 351 COM 496
HFA+    
SBS+ COM 314  
STEM+    
CER    
DIV (see Note 5) COM 202  
ESI COM 495  
SPK COM 120  
WRTD COM 495  

Note 1: Some course information may be subject to change. Please contact your major advisor for additional consultation.

Note 2: For majors that require study in a related area or completion of a minor, visit the respective program’s “Major SBC Courses” page to view expanded SBC options. 

Note 3: Denotes any course in which students can choose from more than one option. These may include, but are not limited to, major electives, concentration/track/specialization courses, or calculus/physics/chemistry sequences.

Note 4: CEAS majors, the Athletic Training major, the Respiratory Care major, and the Clinical Laboratory Sciences major are exempt from the LANG learning objective. Students enrolled in the major in Social Work are exempt from the LANG learning objective, but are required to enroll in and pass with a letter grade of C or higher the first semester of an elementary foreign language course numbered 111, or satisfy through alternate methods.

Note 5: Students are responsible for completing the general education requirements published in the Bulletin that was current as of the first semester of matriculation (or rematriculation). The following student groups must satisfy the DIV learning objective as part of their degree requirements:

  • Freshmen who matriculate in the Fall of 2019 or later
  • Transfer students who matriculate in the Spring of 2020 or later
  • Students who rematriculate in the Fall of 2019 or later

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