Frequently Asked Questions
Undergraduate Program in Communication
Here are some frequently asked questions about the undergraduate Communication program. If your question is not answered here, contact the department office or your advisor.
Where is the Communication Sciences Department located?
The Communication Sciences Department is located in the Phillips Communications Sciences Building (PCSB),on the northwestern side of campus. The building is located to the left of the Nathan Hale Inn. Click here for a map.
Communication faculty and graduate students have offices on the second floor as well as in the IPUA (Institute of Public and Urban Affairs) Building. The address is 850 Bolton Rd., Unit 1085, Storrs, CT, 06269-1085
When is the department office open?
The department office is open from 8:00AM - 4:30PM Monday through Friday. The staff are on lunch break from 12-1PM. Hours may be shorter when classes are not in session. You do not need to make an appointment to come, but you can call 860-486-2817 if you want to check.
Where are the faculty mailboxes?
The Communication Sciences mailroom is in the Conference Room, 2 nd Floor, of the Phillips Communication Sciences building which is open from 8 AM to 4:30 PM on Monday through Friday.
How do I find my professor's office?
A list of offices, office hours, and phone numbers can be found by clicking here.
I need the department head's signature for a form. How do I get it?
Ask at the department office, and the staff can tell you what to do next. They can take care of routine forms, or set up an appointment with the head if necessary.
Majoring in Communication
How do I declare Communication as my major?
Please see the section on Declaring a Major.
Which catalog year am I under?
It is important for you to know which catalog year you are under because this lets you know exactly which course requirements you need to take. Typically, your catalog year is the academic year in which you declared a major in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (e.g., a Communication major). Perhaps the easiest way, however, is to look on your PeopleSoft transcript / degree progress report for your "Requirement Term."
NOTE: It is easy to get this wrong, and it might postpone your graduation if you do. Please contact your advisor if you need clarification.
What are the grade requirements for a major?
You need to maintain a 2.0 average for the courses listed on your final Plan of Study. As such, some of your Communication grades can be "C-", "D+", "D", or "D-", so long as your grades in other Communication courses are high enough to bring your average to 2.0. If you have completed more credits in Communication than you need to graduate, you can omit the "extra" courses with lower grades in doing this calculation. However, the required courses must be included.
How do I calculate my GPA?
It can be rather complicated, especially if you have classes with different number of credits. The undergraduate catalog tells you how to do it in the section on grading. Click here for additional information on your GPA: http://www.catalog.uconn.edu/acadm.htm
Can I retake one of my Communication courses to raise my GPA?
Any retake of a course means that the highest grade received is used in the GPA calculation. All grades received do remain on the transcript. Sometimes a retake will not improve the student's GPA very much. A better approach might be to take a different class that you enjoy more and will do well in.
Which courses qualify as "related" courses?
This is to be decided by you and your Communication advisor. Faculty members differ in what they accept as related courses, so make sure to talk about it with your advisor.
What role does my advisor serve?
Advisors serve multiple roles. As described in the UConn Undergraduate Catalog, advisors help you with the goals of higher education, class registration, class requirements, educational opportunities, and miscellaneous academic issues that arise.
When should I talk to my advisor?
Common times to visit advisors include when you first become a Communication major, when you register for classes, and when you are ready to graduate. Click here for current Office Hours.
How do I set up a meeting with my advisor?
You can go during office hours, which are listed here, or call or send your advisor an e-mail asking for an appointment.
Tip: Many advisors have extended office hours during registration week, and you can sign up for them on a sign-up sheet outside their office.
What is a plan of study and how do I fill one out?
A plan of study is a form that summarizes all the courses that you need to take for your major. They are available on the shelves in front of the communications office and on this website.
Caution: Which plan of study you need depends on when you entered CLAS. Look for your "required term" on your PeopleSoft degree progress report. If you're not sure which one to use, talk to your advisor.
Caution: To graduate, you need to turn in a final plan of study in the first four weeks of your last semester at UConn.
Minoring in Communication
How do I minor in Communication?
A student must take 15 credits or more in 200-level Communication courses. 1) Students must take COMM 200Q or the equivalent. 2) Students must take at least two courses from: COMM 210, 220, and 230. 3) If you take only two course out of COMM 210, 220, and 230, you must take at least one from COMM 270W, 250, 271, 272, 273W, 251W, 225W, 226, 215, 211,242W,245, 205,260,243,264,241,262 and with COMM Key Advisor's permission 297 and 298. 4) No more than one (1) from COMM 280,282,288,290, and 291. 5) You must submit a final copy of this Plan of Study to the Registrar during the first four weeks of the semester in which you will graduate. You need to obtain a grade of "C" or better in all courses for your minor.
Communication Courses
I need to overenroll in a class. Who should I talk to?
You need to ask the instructor who teaches the course. If the instructor is not listed in PeopleSoft, contact the department office (486-2628) to find out her/his name. The earlier you ask to overenroll, the better chance you have of getting in. The department has no standardized overenrollment forms.
Can I take Communication classes during the summer and during inter-session?
Yes, we offer Communication classes at Storrs and some of the regional campuses. In fact, if you sign up as soon as the classes are announced, you can usually get any class you want.
Which classes is Communication offering next semester?
To see current classes, check Peoplesoft at www.studentadmin.uconn.edu
Can I take a Communication course pass/fail?
Yes you can, but you cannot apply any pass/fail course to the major or general education requirements. However, they cannot be listed on your Plan of Study. Please see the catalogue for more details.
Graduation
Can I walk in December or May if I'm not completely done with my classes?
The exact rules about when you can go through graduation ceremonies can vary from year to year, but typically you can walk in May if you graduate in Spring or Summer semesters.
What forms do I need to fill out to graduate?
Make sure that you have met all department and college graduation requirements: click here for a full list of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences requirements (1) You need to meet with your advisor to fill out a final plan of study. You turn this in to the registrar's office. (2) You need to apply to graduate, which you can do online at the registrar's office web site
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