Minors & Double Majors

Flexible minor & major programs in COMM enhance other degree programs across the humanities and social sciences. The media systems and critical communication theories we focus on have moved to the center of other disciplines in recent years. That means the study of communication is at the core of the questions we now ask in international studies, cognitive science, political science, visual arts, and psychology. A COMM degree is a natural fit for these departments and many others.

A minor or double major in Communication can also bring balance and perspective to your degree in STEM. In this department, you’ll gain skills for speaking & presenting, critical writing, analysis, and research. You will also encounter theoretical inquiries about science and technology that will change and enrich your thinking about yourself, your career, and the world around you.

The full list of majors offered by UCSD, with links to the departments that offer them, may be found here. 

Minor Requirements

The Communication minor requires 7 total courses, all of which must be taken at UCSD's Communication Department, and for a letter grade. 

1 Lower Division Core Course

• COMM 10: Introduction to Communication

2 Upper Division Core Courses

Choose 2 of: 

• COMM 100A: Communication, the Person, and Everyday Life 
• COMM 100B: Communication, Culture, and Representation 
• COMM 100C: Communication, Institutions, and Power

4 Upper Division Electives

• 1 advanced course elective (COMM 120 - 190)
• 3 additional upper division course electives, either Intermediate (COMM 101 - 119) or Advanced (COMM 120 - 190)

Note:

• Courses taken outside of the Communication Department or abroad cannot be petitioned to satisfy Communication Minor requirements.
• COMM 198 (Directed Group Study in Communication) or COMM 199 (Independent Study in Communication) cannot be petitioned to satisfy Communication Minor requirements.

Double Major Requirements

Many COMM students find they are able to accommodate adding a second major, also known as double majoring. Students pursuing a double major complete two sets of degree requirements and earn one bachelor’s degree when finished.

It is important to thoroughly review the University's double major policies (also found in the General Catalog). Your plan to complete the requirements of both majors must be feasible (within six quarters for transfer students; twelve quarters for first-year students). 

In addition, students must follow the Communication Department's double major policies:

• All courses taken for the Communication major must be taken for a letter grade (and receive a C- or better grade).
• Students must fulfill the separate requirements of each major, and the equivalent of at least ten upper-division courses (40 units) must be unique to each major.
• A maximum of 2 upper-division courses (8 units) may overlap between double majors. Both departments must approve the overlaps in the double major petition.
• A maximum of 2 upper-division courses (8 units) from outside the Communication Department may be petitioned to count towards the COMM major's Intermediate Elective requirement. Each course petitioned must be related to our department's curriculum. To petition, students must submit an Undergraduate Student Petition along with the course syllabus to commugrad@ucsd.edu. These will be forwarded to the Undergraduate Faculty Advisor to review.

The Communication Department Advising Office is happy to advise you on your double major paperwork. Please reach out to us via the VAC and/or in an advising appointment. Completed double major paperwork may be sent to commugrad@ucsd.edu for review and approval.