An emphasis in Organizational Communication prepares students for careers in business, nonprofit organizations, and government. These organizations depend on effective communication among individuals and units within the organization as well as with customers or other constituencies on the outside in order to achieve their goals. One of the primary causes of organizational malfunction is a failure to meet communication challenges, and these challenges are especially great in our multicultural society and in a world made small by travel and communication technology. Experts in organizational communication have the competencies needed to identify the barriers to effective communication within organizations, and between organizations and their customers or other constituencies, and to remove those barriers through organizational structural changes, policy changes, use of communication technologies and media, and training/development of employees. Students who complete their degree with this emphasis are prepared for careers such as that of communication trainer, community relations director or representative, conflict manager, customer service representative, director of corporate communications, executive manager, human resource manager, industrial and labor relations representative, mediator, negotiator, public information officer, or sales representative.

The organizational communication emphasis, combined with a business administration minor; provides an exceptional background for those with an interest in careers that focus on communication in the business environment.

• Degree Requirements

  Speech communication majors take a total of 42 units in the major, including 18 units of core requirements, 9 units of theoretical core, and 15 units in the area of emphasis. An internship (Human Comm 437) is strongly recommended in each areas of emphasis to give you experience applying the principles of excellent communication in a real-life setting.

  Core Requirements (18 units)

  HCOM 102 Public Speaking (3)
  HCOM 200 Human Communication (3)
  HCOM 235 Essentials of Argumentation (3) (OR)
  HCOM 236 Essentials of Debate (3)
  HCOM 300 Introduction to Research (3)
  HCOM 308 Quantitative Research Methods (3)
  HCOM 420 Communication Theory (3)

  Breadth Experiences: (12 units; select a course from each of the following categories)

  HCOM 330 Rhetoric of Popular Culture (3) OR
  HCOM 332 Process of Social Influence (3) OR
  HCOM 437 Internship (3)

  HCOM 313 Interpersonal Communication Theory (3) OR
  HCOM 318 Family Communication (3) OR
  HCOM 437 Internship (3)

  HCOM 320 Intercultural Communication (3) OR
  HCOM 422 Applications of Intercultural (3) OR
  HCOM 437 Internship (3)

  HCOM 324 Communicating in Groups arid Teams (3) OR
  HCOM 326 Organizational Communication Dynamics (3) OR
  HCOM 437 Internship (3)

Emphasis in Organizational Communication (12 units)

HCOM 220 Interpersonal Conflict Management (3)
HCOM 324 Communicating in Teams and Groups (3)
HCOM 325 Interviewing: Principles and Practices (3)
HCOM 326 Organizational Communication Dynamics (3)
HCOM 333 Communication in Business and Professions (3)
HCOM 433 Training & Development (3)
HCOM 437 Internship (3)
HCOM 479 Mediation: Principles & Practices (3)
HCOM 492T Proseminar (e.g., Leadership) (3)

• Second Language Graduation Requirement

Students in the B.A. in Speech Communication program who enter Cal
State Fullerton as first-time freshmen in fall 2005, or who enter a commu-
nity college in fall 2006 with intent to transfer to Cal State Fullerton, will be
required to show proficiency in a second language as a condition of graduation
with a bachelor's degree. (See "Graduation Requirements for the Bachelor's
Degree" in the 2005-2007 University Catalog.)

• Transfer Courses
  Courses that are equivalent to Human Comm 102 (Public Speaking) and Human
  Comm 236 (Essentials of Debate) will transfer and provide credit in the major.

• Student Association:
  CommGrads is the department's student group that sponsors career workshops, special programs and social activities. The CSUF Speech and Debate Team competes with other colleges and universities and consistently ranks near the top in the nation. CSUF students involved in the Southern California Urban Debate League (SCUDL) teach argument skills to students from underserved high schools.

• Advisement
  You can make an appointment with the department's undergraduate adviser by
  calling the Department of Human Communication Studies (714) 278-3617.
  For further information, including available scholarships, please contact
  the department's undergraduate adviser at:

  Department of Human Communication Studies
  College Park 420-1
  California State University, Fullerton
  PO. Box 6868
  Fullerton, CA 92834
  (714) 278-3617