Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for the communication major?
In addition to completing all basic skills and disciplinary approach courses required by A&S, 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. See the major requirements.
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. See the general education requirements.
When should I see a COMMRC advisor?
A student should see a 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?
While campus visits and classroom visits are arranged through the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, visits to the Department of Communication may be scheduled through a COMMRC advisor.
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 broadcasting. 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.
How do I get an internship?
What undergraduate clubs, organizations, and opportunities are sponsored by the department?
The Department sponsors two undergraduate organizations: The Undergraduate Communication Club and the Omicron Psi chapter of Lambda Pi Eta (the Honors Society affiliated with the National Communication Association). The Communication Department also sponsors two competitions annually. The first is the Spiegel Essay Competition, and the second is the Undergraduate Oratory Competition.