Students with a passion for media, choose the Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunication Media Studies (TCMS). The BA in TCMS features a broad, liberal arts approach to media topics and is supported by classwork from across the College of Arts and Sciences, and beyond. The BA in TCMS requires study in communication technology skills, technology and communication, research methods and media theory, and then branches out to permit choices among a number of TCMS electives in communication, film studies, journalism and business. The BA is a flexible, liberal arts, media-oriented degree and is supported by study of a foreign language.
Coursework for incoming Freshmen begins with a dedicated first semester experience which introduces them to the breadth of the field of Communication and of Media while also involving them in small groups and acquainting them with Texas A&M University, our resources and our opportunities. We also welcome Transfer students, meeting them where they are and integrating them into the Communication, Media and Journalism family.
A Bachelor of Arts degree in Telecommunication Media Studies serves well in a broad variety of careers. Our students may become social media experts, online marketers, broadcasters, producers, filmmakers, digital media specialists, industry leaders, government regulators, spokespeople, politicians, writers, artists, activists, and informed citizens. The curriculum is designed to educate citizens for a productive future in an ever-changing world, preparing students for media-related positions in business, government, non-profit organizations, and higher education, and emphasizing the story.
TCMS-BA students will select a minor. They have the option to select a certificate in Health Communication, Leadership and Conflict Management, Social Media, and in Strategic Communication.
Plan of Study Grid | First Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| ENGL 104 | Composition and Rhetoric | 3 |
| 3 |
| Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences | |
| Business Calculus | |
| Engineering Mathematics I | |
| Engineering Mathematics II | |
| Introduction to Logic | |
| Elementary Statistical Inference | |
| 1 | 4 |
| 2,3 | 4 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 14 |
| Spring |
|---|
| COMM 230/JOUR 230 | Communication Technology Skills | 3 |
| 3 |
| Public Speaking | |
| Communication for Technical Professions | |
| Argumentation and Debate | |
| Introduction to Rhetoric and Composition | |
| Writing about Literature 4 | |
| Technical and Professional Writing | |
| 3 |
| Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences | |
| Business Calculus | |
| Engineering Mathematics I | |
| Engineering Mathematics II | |
| Introduction to Logic | |
| Elementary Statistical Inference | |
| 1 | 4 |
| 5 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
| Second Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| COMM 330 | Technology and Human Communication | 3 |
| ECON 202 | Principles of Economics | 3 |
| 5 | 3 |
| 1 | 3 |
| 4 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
| Spring |
|---|
| 1 | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 4 | 3 |
| 3 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
| Third Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| COMM 308 | Research Methods in Communication | 3 |
| 3 |
| 6 | 3 |
| 6 | 3 |
| 2,3 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
| Spring |
|---|
| COMM 350 | Theories of Mediated Communication | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 6 | 3 |
| 3 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
| Fourth Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| 3 |
| 5 | 3 |
| 5 | 3 |
| 6 | 3 |
| 3 | 2 |
| 1 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
| Spring |
|---|
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 6 | 3 |
| 6 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
| | Total Semester Credit Hours | 120 |
Graduation requirements include 3 hours of International and Cultural Diversity courses and 3 hours of Cultural Discourse courses. A course satisfying a Core category, a college/department requirement, or a free elective can be used to satisfy this requirement. The required 6 hours may be met by courses satisfying other areas of a degree program. See your academic advisor for further information.
Students take 21 credit hours of the required program core courses and 12 credit hours of telecommunication elective courses for a total of 33 credit hours. At least 12 credits must be at the upper-division level. At least 12 credits must be taken in residence at Texas A&M University. Minimum grade of C in each course. No more than 3 credit hours of COMM 484; no more than 6 credit hours of COMM 485.
Teaching Certification
Students desiring certification to teach communication in secondary schools of Texas may either major in communication (College of Arts and Sciences) or in another field, but in either case, they must include the following courses in their degree plans:
Course List | Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
| COMM 203 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| COMM 210 | Group Communication and Discussion | 3 |
| COMM 243 | Argumentation and Debate | 3 |
| COMM 301 | Rhetoric in Western Thought | 3 |
| COMM 305 | Theories of Communication | 3 |
| COMM 315 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMM 330 | Technology and Human Communication | 3 |
| or COMM 340 | or Communication and Popular Culture | |
| or COMM 435/FILM 445 | or Rhetoric of Television and Film | |
| COMM 350 | Theories of Mediated Communication | 3 |
| PERF 407 | Performing Literature | 3 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 27 |
Additional education courses are required. More complete information on the requirements for teacher certification may be found in the College of Education and Human Development section under secondary teacher certification.
