Communication and Public Service (ComPS) Program
A focus on the ways communication is used in public service offers ComPS students the ability to combine individual research opportunities with hands-on experience in the public arena.
For students in the Communication and Public Service major, classes, seminars, internships, field experiences and individual research projects provide opportunities to meet and learn from current and former officeholders, journalists, and public servants who have been leaders in government and civil society.
ComPS-Specific Requirements
The program is closely matched to the requirements of the undergraduate Communication major. ComPS students must complete the following 14 courses:
- Two Core Survey Courses required for Communication majors
- COMM 2100 (formerly 210): Quantitative Research Methods (or another approved Research Methods Course)
- Three COMM elective courses from the full course list. A minimum of one of the three courses must be at a 3000 to 4990 level. Up to two approved Study Abroad courses can be used toward this requirement.
- One core ComPS course, either COMM 3230 (formerly 323): Contemporary Politics, Policy and Journalism or COMM 3950 (formerly 395): Communication and the Presidency.
- Two specially-designated ComPS courses
- COMM 4797 (formerly 494): Honors and Capstone Thesis and COMM 4897 (formerly 495): ComPS Capstone Thesis
- ComPS students are required to complete a capstone thesis project over two semesters during the senior year. Students choose the topic of the capstone thesis from a range of public policy or public service issues. During the year they work with a thesis advisor and are enrolled in a thesis seminar to complete their project. A credit is earned in both semesters. Students who receive an A- in the course and achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher will graduate with honors.
- Three non-Communication elective courses from other schools and departments that support a student's interests in Communication and Public Service. All non-Comm Electives must be related to the student’s Communication and Public Service program and be pre-approved by a member of the Comm Undergraduate Advising Team. Only one non-Comm elective may be an introductory level.
How and When to Apply
Students interested in applying to the ComPS program are encouraged to consult with David Eisenhower, Director of the Institute for Public Service, as early as possible to match the requirements for the major and the ComPS program with their own individual goals.
Annenberg In Public Service Program
Comm majors interested doing a public service internship this summer have an opportunity to apply to Annenberg in Public Service (AIPS), which provides financial support for students doing un- or under-paid Comm related public service internships.