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  • Communication Studies Minor

Contact the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Email:
sbs.dean​@nau.edu
Call:
928-523-2672
Get application information
For more information on minors available from the School of Communication, please visit the School of Communication website.


Communication Studies, Minor

Learning how to be an effective communicator is useful in whatever career you pursue. With a minor in Communication Studies from Northern Arizona University, you'll learn how verbal communication enhances relationships and builds cultural understanding.

This minor can be an excellent addition to any major. Faculty members emphasize critical thinking and research, preparing you to be a reflective citizen able to contribute thoughtfully and constructively to the world around you.

This minor is designed to help students become effective participants in a communication-rich world where oral, written, and nonverbal communication are paramount. Students will explore public, group, and interpersonal communication, professional communication, and how to express and defend their opinions as informed citizens in a representative democracy.

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Requirements Accordion Open

University Requirements

  • A minor is earned in conjunction with a bachelor's degree.

    To receive a minor (18 to 24 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. At least 12 units of the minor must be unique to that minor and not applied to any other minor.

Overview Accordion Closed

Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Please note that students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

No more than 50% of the units used to satisfy minor requirements may be used to satisfy major requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Relational literacy and communication:  Students will develop an understanding of how human relationships are constructed, negotiated and maintained through communication.
  2. Professional identity: Students will develop an understanding of the ways communication defines and strengthens their ability to navigate organizational and occupational relationships.
  3. Culture and communication:  Students will develop an understanding of the function of communication in the construction of diverse social, cultural and political identities.
  4. Inquiry and scholarship: Students will develop an understanding of and ability to apply research methods (quantitative, qualitative and critical) in multiple contexts of communication.
  5. Disciplinary identity: Students will develop an understanding of the evolution, status, and function of the communication field.
  6. Communication competencies:   Students will demonstrate competence in oral and written communication.
  7. Theoretical and critical thinking: Students will develop the ability to critically analyze messages, identify and evaluate underlying assumptions, forms of reasoning, use of evidence and conceptual frameworks.

Details Accordion Closed

Details

Minor Requirements
  • Take the following 21 units:

    • CST 111, CST 151, (CST 201 or COM 200), CST 271 (12 units)
    • Select, in consultation with a Communication Studies advisor, from the following (9 units):
      • COM 301, COM 305
      • CST 217, CST 311, CST 312, CST 314, CST 315, CST 321, CST 323, CST 361, CST 365, CST 370, CST 424, CST 451, CST 460, CST 465, CST 472, CST 475, CST 477, CST 498C
  • This minor is not available to students pursuing a Communication Studies BA, or a Communication Studies BS. 

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information click on the course or see your advisor.
     

Availability Accordion Closed

Campus Availability

  • Flagstaff
  • Online

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Richard A Rogers
Professor
School of Communication
Richard.Rogers@nau.edu
+1 928 523-2530
Communication , room 329
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Paulina Schutt-Swiatkowski
Associate Director, School of Communication; Lecturer, School of Communication
School of Communication
Paulina.Swiatkowski@nau.edu
+1 928 523-5325
Communication , room 301D
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Madrone Schutten
Associate Professor
School of Communication
Madrone.Schutten@nau.edu
+1 928 523-4531
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Sarah Marie Walker
Lecturer
School of Communication
Sarah.M.Walker@nau.edu
Communication , room 342
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Location
Room 200 Building 65
Raul H. Castro Building
5 East McConnell Drive
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Mailing Address
PO Box 15700
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Contact Form
Email
sbs.dean@nau.edu
Phone
928-523-2672
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