Open Communication Advising
Spring term 2074
Monday:
9 a.m.-noon
Chris (peer advisor)/1122 CL
1-4 p.m.
John/1122CL 624-1138
Tuesday:
12-5 p.m.
Mary (peer advisor)/1122 CL
Wednesday:
1-4 p.m.
John/1122CL 624-1138
Thursday:
12-5 p.m.
Mary (peer advisor)/1122 CL
Friday:
9 a.m.-noon
Chris (peer advisor)/1122 CL
10 a.m.-noon and 1-2 p.m.
John/1122CL 624-1138
Please call the main office at 412-624-6567 with general questions.
You do NOT need an appointment to stop by the advising office at 1122 CL during the regular above hours. You can call 412-624-6567 to verify advising hours for the week you wish to visit.
All advising hours are held in 1122 Cathedral of Learning (11th floor). You can call 412-624-1138 to talk to or leave a message for John Gareis. You can also e-mail Dr. Gareis at gareis@pitt.edu.
What are the requirements for the communication major?
In addition to completing all basic skills and disciplinary approach courses required by Arts and Sciences, a COMMRC major must complete 33 credits (11 courses) from the major. The distribution of these 11 courses is three introductory courses (0300, 0310, 0320), Public Speaking (0520), one additional 500-level course (0500, 0510, 0530, 0540, 0550), and any six of the 1000-level courses.
Is there a foreign language requirement or math requirement needed for the COMMRC major?
Because the Communication Department is part of the School of Arts and Sciences, the major has no general education requirements apart from those required of all students in Arts and Sciences.
When should I see a COMMRC advisor?
A student should see as COMMRC advisor when he or she:
- Has specific questions about the COMMRC major requirements or courses.
- Has questions about career or graduate school options.
- First declares the major, prior to group registration.
- Registers for each semester.
- Has applied for graduation to double check status.
How do I declare the major?
Before declaring a major in communication, students must complete the three core courses (COMMRC 0300, 0310, and 0320) with a minimum grade of a C. To declare, a student must fill out an Undergraduate Academic Program Change form available from the Arts and Sciences Advising Center in 201 Thackeray Hall.
Prior to declaration, communication advisors are available to answer questions related to the major. COMMRC advisors will not register a student until he or she has declared.
How do I apply for graduation?
A student applies for graduation as soon as he or she has registered for and confirmed the schedule of classes for his or her last semester. Application for Graduation forms are available in the Student Records Office (140 Thackeray). Students are urged to complete and return graduation applications by the stated deadline so that all requirements can be confirmed before the end of add/drop.
How do I schedule a visit to the Communication Department?
Although campus visits and classroom visits are arranged through the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, visits to the COMMRC department may be scheduled through a COMMRC advisor. Contact a COMMRC advisor by e-mailing Dr. Gareis.
Why doesn't the COMMRC department offer a major in public relations, advertising, or broadcasting?
Years ago, the Communication Department at Pitt decided that it was going to offer a liberal arts rather than a technical-based major. Despite that fact, most of our majors who use the degree as terminal (not for graduate school), find jobs in public relations, advertising, and broadcast. They accomplish this by coupling their course work with as many as four internships (12 credits) with agencies in Pittsburgh or beyond. Because of the University's proximity to the city and our connection with state, national, and international organizations, students find abundant opportunities to work with experts and state-of-the-art equipment in their chosen fields. For a listing of internship opportunities, visit here.
How do I get an internship?
What undergraduate clubs, organizations, and opportunities are sponsored by the Communication Department?
The Communication Department is proud to sponsor two student organizations offered exclusively for undergraduate majors.
The Undergraduate Communication Club is a student-run organization that attempts to answer the question, “What can I do with a communication major?” They hold monthly meetings and sponsor guest speakers, field trips, and workshops to help students make career and life decisions.
The Omicron Psi Chapter of Lambda Pi Eta is an honorary society sponsored by the National Communication Association. COMMRC majors are eligible for membership after they have completed 60 credit hours with an overall GPA of 3.0 and a COMMRC major GPA (at least 12 credits completed) of at least 3.25. There is a one-time membership fee of $30.00, payable to the National Communication Association. Membership entitles students to full participation in the society's activities and functions and recognition at the departmental graduation reception. For information, contact Dr. Gareis.
The Communication Department also sponsors two competitions annually. The first is the Undergraduate Oratory Competition, and the second is the Spiegel Essay Competition.
Are there any on-campus opportunities for student interested in broadcasting or journalism?
- UPTV21 is a student-run broadcast television station.
- WPTS is a student-run broadcast radio station.
- Pitt News is a student-run newspaper.
Please note that these are independent organizations and are not sponsored by the Communication Department.