Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Communication Sample Online Curriculum
The sample course of study below is based on the 2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog. This is not an official advising document. It can serve as a guide for how your existing college credits may transfer to ODU. All efforts have been made to provide accurate program information. However, this information is subject to change by the department.
The Bachelor of Science degree program is available completely online at ODU, which means you can start as a freshman. You can also transfer college credits for lower division coursework, which means you would take the major courses at ODU to complete the BS degree.
The Bachelor of Arts is a degree completion program, which means you should already have college credits for the lower division coursework.
Our online enrollment coordinators can provide a free unofficial transfer evaluation before you apply to ODU. Official review of your student records happens when you apply to and are admitted to ODU.
Look Up Course Equivalencies for Transfer
- VCCS-to-ODU Transfer Recommendations
- Course-by-Course Equivalencies from Colleges & Universities Nationwide
- Or contact us for a free unofficial transfer evaluation before you apply!
Lower Division General Education and Departmental Requirements
If you already have college credits, you may be able to transfer them to ODU and satisfy many of these lower division course requirements.
| Old Dominion University Course | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 110C English Composition | 3 | Satisfies GEN ED Written Communication |
| GEN ED. Written Communication II | 3 | ENGL 211C Intro to Academic Writing |
| GEN ED. Literature | 3 | |
| GEN ED. (DEPT) Oral Comm Skills (COMM 101R) | 3 | |
| GEN ED Mathematical Skills | 3 | For the BS degree, take STAT 130M Elementary Statistics |
| GEN ED. Language and Culture* | 0-12 | |
| GEN ED. Information Literacy/Research Skills | 3 | |
| GEN ED. Human Creativity | 3 | COMM/THEA 270A and COMM 200S may not be used |
| GEN ED. Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| GEN ED. Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| GEN ED. The Nature of Science | 4 | |
| GEN ED. The Nature of Science | 4 | |
| GEN ED. Impact of Technology | 3 | Any ODU "T" course. Can be met with COMM 372T |
| GEN ED. Human Behavior | 3 | COMM/THEA 270A and COMM 200S may not be used |
*For the Bachelor of Arts degree, you must have language competence through the 202 level. You may receive credit for prior coursework in high school or college, or through demonstrated competence.
Core Courses
All communication bachelor's students take a set of core courses. A couple of courses vary depending on whether you pursue a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.
In addition, all communication students must take a writing-intensive COMM course. This requirement can be met by choosing a W course in the major area.
| Old Dominion University Course | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 101R Public Speaking | 3 | |
| COMM 200S Intro to Human Communication | 3 | |
| COMM 260 Understanding Media | 3 | |
| B.A. only: COMM 335W or COMM 445 | 0-3 | Pre-requisites: ENGL 110C and ENGL 221C |
| B.S. only: COMM 302 Communication Research Methods I | 0-3 | Pre-requisites: STAT 130M and COMM 200S |
| B.S. only: two 300/400-level Social Science electives | 0-6 | Select from African-American Studies, Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Economics, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, or Women's Studies |
Major Area (choose one)
Each major has a defined set of Foundation and Applied Theories courses to choose from.
Strategic Communication; Media Studies; or Communication Studies: Relating Across the Lifespan (Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts)
- Choose three Foundation courses (nine credit hours)
- Choose five Applied Theories courses (15 credit hours)
- Choose two additional COMM elective courses (six credit hours)
Professional Communication (available as Bachelor of Science only)
- Choose two Foundation courses (six credit hours)
- Choose six Applied Theories courses (18 credit hours)
- Choose four Professional Communication elective courses (12 credit hours)
Upper-Division General Education Requirement
- Option A. An approved minor, second degree or second major (12 credit hours minimum)
- Option B. Interdisciplinary Minor (12 credit hours)
- Option D. Two upper division courses from outside the College of Arts and Letters (6 credit hours)
View this program in ODU's Undergraduate Catalog
This bachelor's degree requires a minimum of 120 credit hours total.
To complete this degree at ODU as a transfer, a minimum of 30 credit hours must be earned at ODU.