This information is for students who have been admitted to the SCOM major.
If you have not successfully completed the SCOM 240/240L requirement for admission, please refer to the advising information for declared students.
Working with your Advisor
Once students are fully admitted into the major, they are assigned a new major advisor. Advising is an interactive relationship. We strongly encourage that you meet with your advisor once each semester. This helps ensure you are progressing toward the timely achievement of your degree and avoids issues that may prevent you from graduating on time. Advisors can also help talk through your career goals and how to ensure that you are positioning yourself well for future success.
Steps for successful advising
- Map out a plan. Due to course offerings and the number of credit hours required, you should expect it to take 4 semesters after the completion of SCOM 240/240L to complete the remaining Communication Studies coursework. This is generally the time period required to complete all major coursework in addition to a minor/second major/cognate.
- Plan to meet with your advisor at least 1-2 weeks before your enrollment date to register for classes for the next semester
- Come prepared by using your concentration checklist in conjunction with MyMadison to determine what you still need to take and make a plan to review with your advisor
Helpful Tips: Finding Classes on MyMadison
Read notes on classes to see if courses have any required pre-requisites or limitations on enrollment. Notes will also let you know if a class is only offered in particular semesters (fall or spring). Note that sections that start with “OP” are NOT open to traditional undergraduate students. These sections are part of the Adult Degree Program. Sections that start with “SA” are Study Abroad sections open only to students in the study abroad programs in those locations.
Review Your Info on MyMadison
- Does your MyMadison reflect the concentration you want to pursue?
- Does it correctly list your intended degree (BA or BS)?
- Have you declared a minor, a second major OR cognate credit (one of these three is required for all SCOM majors)? Instructions on declaring a minor/second major can be found here.
The cognate option is for students who wish to study a broad range of topics, rather than concentrating on one particular area of study in addition to their major. The cognate requires completing 12 credit hours at the 300 level or above outside of the SCOM department. Courses in other disciplines at this level may have prerequisites or be available only to people majoring in those areas. Those pursuing a cognate should be prepared to spend time searching for courses online and plan ahead to ensure the coursework can be completed to allow for timely graduation.
Note: Public Relations Concentration
Students interested in the Public Relations concentration should note that this concentration takes the longest out of any concentration due to the fact that the concentration scaffolds skill-building from course to course. The capstone class, SCOM 461, requires each of the PR concentration courses and the Advanced Research Methods course to be completed before you can enroll. As such, students intending to complete the Public Relations concentration should plan to have these concentration and research methods courses completed by the end of the first semester of senior year in order to enroll in SCOM 461 and complete the concentration.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the most recent numbers we have, approximately 96% of SCOM alumni are in full-time jobs, internships, or graduate programs right after graduation – but like all majors in the College of Arts and Letters, our alumni may take a few years to find their path. We have very successful alumni in a wide range of fields, including human resources, public relations, health care, advertising, and sales. One of the strengths of the major is the many possible careers after graduation.
Other College of Arts and Letters majors and minors are very common – WRTC (Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication), History, Sociology, foreign languages. Other typical minors include music industry, human resource development, and nonprofit studies.
Yes – absolutely, we encourage internships and hands-on practicum which provide the opportunity to earn academic credit for applied learning. See the descriptions of these options here.
Yes, the department does have several study abroad options in places like Ireland, Korea, Nepal, and multiple European countries through our “public relations in Europe” study abroad program. One of the more common minors is British Communication and Media, which involves a semester in London. We’re also always willing to consider giving credit for study abroad classes through other universities, including “Semester at Sea.”
Ours is one of only a very small number of communication departments nationally which requires students to take two research methods courses. In that second course, students typically produce work alone or in groups which is of sufficient quality to be presented at an academic conference, and our students have had excellent success in presenting papers at conferences and even publishing in academic journals. In addition to undergraduate research, our department prides itself on experiential learning, as many students in multiple classes are working on projects in the community. One excellent example is the award-winning Bluestone Communication student-run public relations firm. As members of that firm, students work with actual clients to develop public relations strategies and materials.
On occasion you may be interested in exceeding the 19-credit hour limit on a term. To do so, you must complete and submit this form. You will be notified if you are approved to exceed 19 credit hours.
New Graduation Requirement: Senior Compass
Senior Compass is a non-credit Canvas course all undergraduate students must complete the semester leading up to graduation. Graduating students will be enrolled in the Senior Compass Canvas course automatically when they apply to graduate through the Registrar’s Office (in MyMadison). The course has multiple modules with information pertinent to graduation, and two required assignments. Students must complete the two requirements by the end of the semester to receive access to their diploma after graduation.
Once you apply to graduate, the Senior Compass Hold will be placed on your account automatically at the beginning of the semester in which you intend to graduate; the hold will be removed once the two Senior Compass requirements are completed. Email SeniorCompass@jmu.edu or visit jmu.edu/SeniorCompass for more information.
