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Program Description
A Bachelor of Arts in Organizational and Professional Communication provides increased understanding and practice in how people communicate to influence others and shape the world around them. Modern society requires effective communication in professional, personal, social, and multicultural settings. The flexibility of the program offers preparation for a variety of careers, such as law, business, communication, health, administration, social services, and human relations. The bachelor of arts program will facilitate students' learning of effective oral and written communication, specifically helping students to understand and generate professional texts in a variety of genres.
What is Organizational and Professional Communication?
This program prepares its students to:
- Apply and critique communication concepts and principles to a variety of organizational contexts
- Apply qualitative research methods to organizational and professional contexts
- Demonstrate logical, critical, creative, and ethical thinking about communication
- Generate communication appropriate to audience, purpose, and context
- Synthesize and assimilate information and for communication analysis and practice
- Engage diverse communities and function as a member of society
You Might Like This Program If...
You are a working professional seeking an applied learning experience that cannot only help you advance your career, but also empower you to make critical contributions toward improved organizational practices at work, in society, and beyond.
Direct Admission to the Major
Incoming first-year students who meet the program admission requirements are admitted directly into the major. Admission restrictions may apply for change-of-major and/or change-of-campus students.
For more information about the admission process for this major, please send a request to the college, campus, or program contact (listed in the Contact tab).
Degree Requirements
For the Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational and Professional Communication, a minimum of 120 credits is required:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 45 |
| Electives | 12 |
| Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements | 24 |
| Requirements for the Major | 48 |
9 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 3 credits of GH; and 6 credits of GS courses.
Requirements for the Major
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the major. To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn at least a C grade in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| CAS 204 | Communication Research Methods | 3 |
| CAS 301 | Rhetorical Theory  | 3 |
| CAS 303 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| CAS 390 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| CAS 426W | Communication Ethics | 3 |
| CAS 452 | Organizational Communication Theory and Research | 3 |
| CAS 496 | Independent Studies 1 | 3 |
| LA 201W | Experiential Learning Portfolio | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 3 credits in speaking and argumentation from: | 3 | |
| Professional Public Speaking | ||
| Argumentation | ||
| Business and Professional Communication | ||
| Communication and Civility | ||
| Select 3 credits in interpersonal communication or conflict management from: | 3 | |
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Social Influence | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Select 3 credits in written communication from: | 3 | |
| Advanced Technical Writing and Editing | ||
| Advanced Business Writing | ||
| Writing for the Web | ||
| Communication Design for Writers | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 15 credits from the following courses; at least 9 credits must be at the 400-level. 2 | 15 | |
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Professional Public Speaking | ||
| Argumentation | ||
| Business and Professional Communication | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Communication and Information Technology I | ||
| Social Influence | ||
| Communication and Civility | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Conflict Resolution and Negotiation | ||
| Topics in Gender and Communication | ||
| Studies in Public Address | ||
| Principles of Strategic Communications | ||
| Advanced Technical Writing and Editing | ||
| Advanced Business Writing | ||
| Writing for the Web | ||
| Communication Design for Writers | ||
| Communication Skills for Leaders in Groups and Organizations | ||
| Collective Decision Making | ||
| Leadership in a Global Context | ||
- 1
A student may only apply up to 6 credits of CAS 496 in Requirements for the Major.
- 2
A student may not use a course as both an Additional course and as a Supporting course.
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Arts (GA): 3 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 3 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
Integrative Studies
- Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits
Exploration
- GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
- GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits
University Degree Requirements
First Year Engagement
All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.
First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
Cultures Requirement
6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
- United States Cultures: 3 credits
- International Cultures: 3 credits
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
B.A. Degree Requirements
World Language (0-12 credits): Student must attain 12th credit level of proficiency in one world language in addition to English. This proficiency must be demonstrated by either examination or course work. See the Placement Policy for Penn State World Language Courses.
B.A. Fields (9 credits): Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arts, World Languages, Natural Sciences, Quantification (may not be taken in the area of the student's primary major; world language credits in this category must be in a second world language in addition to English or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the first language). Credits must be selected from the list of approved courses.
World Cultures (0-3 credits): Select 3 credits from approved list. Students may count courses in this category in order to meet other major, minor, elective, or General Education requirements, except for the University Cultural Diversity (US/IL) requirement.
Program Learning Objectives
- Application of Communication Theory and Concepts: Students in this program should discover relevance of coursework to their professional lives
- Core Research Knowledge: Students majoring in the program should obtain essential research skills in the core courses
- Professional Relevance: Apply communication concepts, principles, theories, and perspectives to a variety of organizational and professional contexts in a way that is relevant and meaningful to PSU students
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park and World Campus
Undergraduate Academic Advising
100 Innovation Blvd
Suite 225
University Park, PA 16803
814-863-3283
advising@worldcampus.psu.edu
Career Paths
Careers
The flexibility of the Bachelor of Science in Organizational and Professional Communication program offers preparation for a variety of careers, including law, business, communication, health, administration, social services, and human relations.
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
The flexibility of the Bachelor of Science in Organizational and Professional Communication program offers preparation for graduate studies in a variety of fields, including law, business, communication, health, administration, social services, and human relations.
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION ARTS AND SCIENCES
234 Sparks Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-3461
amw306@psu.edu
World Campus
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION ARTS AND SCIENCES
234 Sparks Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-3461
amw306@psu.edu