Undergraduate Program
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many Communication Studies classes should I take each semester?
Usually two to three classes is a good pace. There may be some semesters during which you take few, if any, Communication Studies classes and in some semesters more than two or three. The major requires 36 credits; you would
take an average of 9 credits a year.
Why am I limited to 51 credits in Communication Studies as a maximum and what happens if I exceed the 51 credits in
Communication Studies?
First,
we need to have students who are broadly educated. Second, we need the seats
for other Communication Studies students. If you exceed the 51 credits, then
you are adding to the total number of credits you need to graduate. For
example, if you took 54 Communication Studies credits, then you would need 123 credits to
graduate! If you took 57 credits in Communication Studies, then you would need 126 credits
to graduate!
May I complete a culture cluster instead of my foreign language requirement?
No. Students with documented learning disabilities through the Office of Student
Life may complete a culture cluster instead of of the usual foreign language
requirement. If you are a double major and earning a B.S. in addition to your B.A. in
Communication Studies, check with your respective Deans to verify your foreign language
requirement.
Does study abroad fulfill my foreign language requirement?
Usually, approved programs of study in a foreign country in the Spring and Fall
semesters fulfill the requirement. Summer programs do not fulfill the
requirement. Be sure to obtain all prior approvals before studying abroad. More
information on study abroad can be found at www.uri.edu/international/study_abroad.
When I study abroad do I receive the six credits for my foreign language requirement?
No, you do not get credits towards graduation just for studying abroad. Normally, your
foreign language requirement will be satisfied by study abroad, but you receive
academic credit towards graduation only for those courses you actually take
(assuming they are approved classes) while studying abroad.
May I take more than one Com310 class?
Yes, if they are different topics, usually noted by a different letter (i.e., Com310B
is different than Com310G or Com310N).
May I substitute a Com310
class for a 400 level class to help satisfy my Communication Studies requirements?
Possibly. You would process such a request
with the department chair.
May I use Com491, 492, 471, and 472 towards my Communication Studies requirements?
No. These courses are treated as electives that fit in that window of Communication
Studies credits beyond the 36 required and within the maximum of 51 credits.
Requests for exceptions would come to the department chair.
May I take Com491, 492, 471 or 472 more than once?
No. However, in some circumstances Com491 has a specific topic (denoted by a
letter, i.e, Com491A, or Com491B) and in those cases repeating Com491 is
permissible. That is, if you have taken an independent study for 3 credits of
Com491 and you want to take the Digital Portfolio class (Com491B), then you may
do so.
May I take classes from another department and have that class count towards my Communication Studies
requirements?
Sometimes courses are offered by other departments that are relevant to your work in
Communication Studies, each course will have to be approved by the department chair and
recorded at the Dean's office.
When should I have a senior audit?
After you've completed your junior year, but before you start your senior year. You
could do the senior audit during your first senior semester, but the earlier
the better.
Should everyone have a senior audit? Why?
Yes. Senior audits are designed to discover any anomalies in your record that may
prevent you from graduating, anomalies of which you may not be aware. By doing
the audit in a timely fashion, you can prevent unexpected troubles that may
prevent you from graduating.
Remember, you cannot graduate without notifying the Dean's office.
If I am pursuing a double degree, may I use a courses from one major to fulfill the requirements for both
majors?
Yes, one 3-credit class may be used for both
majors with the chairpersons approval. Check the the Dean's staff to confirm
that they have credited your Academic Progress Report (APR).
If I have a double minor may I use one or more of those minor courses to apply to both minors?
Yes. Up to two 3-credit classes may be used to
fulfill the requirement for two minors.
