B.S. in Communication

Blonde woman in front of podium facing audience and giving a presentation

As modern society is increasingly influenced by developments in new media, science, and technology, the demand for skilled communicators continues to grow, with higher than average job growth for communication roles between 2020 and 2030. Embry Riddle’s unique Bachelor of Science in Communication (COMD) program equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a variety of communication-related careers, from public relations to technical writing to crisis communication.

The COMD program trains students to hone their communication skills; to practice gathering, analyzing, and disseminating information to a variety of audiences; to represent information through effective written, verbal, nonverbal, visual, and digital communication; and to integrate knowledge with practice in communication. Students explore communication in areas such as media literacy, public relations, law, visual design, and more!

Students specialize in one of two areas: Aviation, Science & Technology Communication or Crisis, Risk & Resilience Communication. Students also have the opportunity to minor in another field of study, such as International Relations, Marketing, or Project Management, to tailor their degree to their interests and career goals.

Finally, the program culminates in either a Senior Project or an Internship, giving students the ability to apply their communication knowledge and skills in a real-world setting.

Estimated Cost of Attendance

Students will:

Design effective visual and digital artifacts.
Analyze the development, principles, and goals of communication theories and put appropriate research methods into practice.
Apply the legal and ethical principles unique to the study and practice of communication.
Employ effective information gathering and news writing skills.
Create effective speeches and presentations.
Write professional documents for diverse audiences, purposes, and genres.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
General Education

General Education
Embry-Riddle courses in the general education categories of Communication Theory and Skills, and Humanities and Social Sciences may be chosen from those listed below, assuming prerequisites are met. Courses from other institutions are acceptable if they fall into these broad categories and are at the level specified.
Communication Theory and Skills		9
ENGL 123	English Composition	3
ENGL (above ENGL 106) and COMD 219		6
Humanities and Social Sciences		12
Lower-Level Humanities		3
Lower-Level Social Sciences		3
Lower-Level or Upper-Level Humanities or Social Sciences		3
Upper-Level Humanities or Social Sciences		3

Any Physical and Life Sciences		6

Any Mathematics 6-hour sequence above MATH 106		6

Any Computer Science / Information Technology		3

Total Credits		36

Core/Major

Communication Core		36
COMD 180	Media Literacy	3
COMD 230	Digital Photography	3
COMD 260	Introduction to Media	3
COMD 265	Introduction to Newswriting and Reporting	3
COMD 295	Rhetorical Strategies and Analysis	3
COMD 320	Mass Communication Law and Ethics	3
COMD 360	Public Relations	3
COMD 362	Communication and Organizational Culture	3
COMD 363	Communication and Society	3
COMD 364	Visual Design	3
COMD 415	Nonverbal Communication	3
COMD 495	Senior Project	3**
or COIN 496	Co-Operative Education
**When taken as a part of the BS Communication degree, COIN 496 is a 3 credit hour course, and credit hours are approved by the Program Chair.

Program Specialization		21
Choose one Specialization

Minors

Minor***		15-21
Select a minor, in consultation with your advisor.
***For students in the Bachelor of Science in Communication degree program the RSCH 202 prerequisite for courses in a minor is waived since RSCH 202 is not required for the program.

(View Minors)

Open Electives		6-12
Open elective credits are dependent upon the selected minor.

Total Degree Requirements

120

Program Specializations

Aviation, Science & Technology Communication Specialization

The Aviation, Science & Technology Communication Specialization focuses on the nexus of communication in aviation, science, and technology contexts. Students develop a foundational understanding of effective communication strategies within these dynamic fields, mastering the art of addressing communication challenges as well as gathering, analyzing, and disseminating scientific and technological information to a variety of audiences.
COMD 225	Science and Technology Communication	3
COMD 322	Aviation and Aerospace Communication	3
COMD 335	Technology and Modern Civilization	3
COMD 350	Environmental Communication	3
Select three courses (9 hours) from the following options
ASCI 110	Introduction to Space Flight	3
ASCI 202	Introduction to Aeronautical Science	3
ASCI 254	Aviation Legislation	3
BSAS 210	Introduction to Aerospace Safety	3
CSCI 123	Introduction to Computing for Data Analysis	3
PHYS 123	Science of Flight	3
PHYS 142	Introduction to Environmental Science	3
SFTY 205	Principles of Accident Investigation	3
WEAX 201	Meteorology I	3
Total Credits		21

Crisis, Risk & Resilience Communication Specialization

Students who select the Crisis, Risk & Resilience Communication Specialization cannot pursue the Crisis, Risk & Resilience Communication Minor.

The Crisis, Risk & Resilience Communication Specialization explores the intersections between communication and safe and secure societies and industries. Students gain a foundation in communication for risk management, crisis response and fostering resilience in multidisciplinary contexts; effectively communicating across the phases of the national preparedness cycle; knowledge of historical, legal and policy foundations of communication challenges and approaches in an all-hazards and whole-community context of civil security.
COMD 365	Communication for Resilience	3
COMD 420	Applied Cross Cultural Communication	3
COMD 460	Crisis Communication	3
COMD 480	Advanced Seminar in Crisis and Risk Communication	3
Select three courses (9 hours) from the following options
EMGY 310	Fundamentals of Emergency Management	3
EMGY 405	Disaster Policy and Management	3
EMGY 430	Emergency Management and Contingency Planning	3
ESVS 301	Community Risk Reduction for the Fire and Emergency Services	3
ESVS 305	Fire Prevention Organization and Management	3
ESVS 402	Fire and Emergency Services Administration	3
HLSD 110	Introduction to Homeland Security	3
HLSD 215	Introduction to Industrial Security	3
HLSD 280	Professional Skills in Homeland Security	3
HLSD 315	Critical Infrastructure Security, Resilience, and Risk Analysis	3
HLSD 360	Strategic Planning and Decision Making in Homeland Security	3
HLSD 410	Exercise Design and Evaluation in Homeland Security	3
Total Credits		21

COMD to MSHSR 4+1 Program: Accelerated Pathway

By combining the Bachelor of Science in Communication (COMD) with the Master of Science in Human Security and Resilience (MHSR), students gain a unique advantage, equipping them with advanced communication skills and interdisciplinary expertise to effectively address pressing global challenges.

Students accepted into the 4+1 program, spend three academic years in undergraduate-level study of Communication. Students pursuing the 4+1 must select the COMD Program Specialization in Crisis, Risk & Resilience Communication. At the beginning of the senior year (having earned at least 75 credit hours with a 3.0 CGPA), students will take 9 credit hours of MHSR coursework.

Upon completion of Bachelor of Science in Communication (COMD) requirements, students will be enrolled in graduate school and can complete their Master of Science in Human Security and Resilience (MHSR) degree in one year. Instead of COMD Open Electives, students will take MHSR 500 Introduction to Human Security and 2 courses from the following options: MHSR 515 International Law and US Security Policy, MHSR 520 Principles of International Conflict Resolution, MHSR 530 Environmental Security, or MHSR 540 Foundations of Resilience.

In any graduate course taken by an undergraduate student, a grade of B or better must be earned. If a grade of C or F is earned in the MSHSR graduate courses taken for COMD credit, the student will be removed from the 4+1 program, have credit awarded to the COMD degree only, and may continue to complete the COMD degree.

Students initiate program acceptance through their Academic Advisor or Campus Advisor to ensure program criteria are met. Student Advisors will complete the request for processing into the 4+1 program.