Explore communication and culture through USI’s communication studies (CMST) program. USI offers a broad range of courses help you develop the communication skills and abilities needed to succeed at personal, professional, social and civic levels. USI’s professors are nationally and internationally recognized for their outstanding teaching and research. As a student in the CMST program, this knowledgeable and personable faculty will share their expertise with you—to make the difference at USI. In the CMST program, you will improve your communication skills (spoken, written and computer-mediated) to effectively communicate in a variety of contexts—relationships, small groups, and larger organizations. You’ll explore issues of power, politics, diversity and culture in both personal and professional settings. You’ll develop leadership skills while working effectively in teams.
JUMP programs are geared toward outstanding undergraduate students who plan to continue their education by enrolling in a related USI master’s degree program. Approved JUMP programs offer students an alternative pathway to degree completion by providing the opportunity to complete both an undergraduate and graduate degree in approximately five years.
This innovative pathway accelerates the time it takes to complete the graduate degree by allowing students in a JUMP program to complete 12 hours of graduate-level coursework during the final semesters of their undergraduate program. After completing the 12 hours of graduate coursework, special credit will be awarded at the undergraduate level and will apply toward the undergraduate program requirements. Students pay undergraduate tuition and fees for undergraduate coursework and pay graduate tuition and fees for graduate coursework (including the 12 credit hours completed while still an undergraduate).
UG = Undergraduate, GR = Graduate
| Fall | Spring | Summer | |
| UG, Year 3 | Complete JUMP application; Apply to Graduate Studies (conditional admission) |
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| UG, Year 4 |
15 hours UG credit |
3 hours UG credit 6 hours GR credit |
6 hours GR credit |
Upon successful completion of all UG requirements and 12 hours of GR credit, the BA/BS degree will be awarded and full admission to Graduate Studies (Master of Arts in Communication degree) will be granted.
| GR, Year 1 | 9 hours GR credit | 9 hours GR credit | 6 hours GR credit |
39 hours total; 2.25 minimum major GPA
The Communication Studies major requires 39 credit hours. The Master of Arts in Communications degree requires 36 credit hours. Students in the JUMP option complete 27 hours of undergraduate-level CMST coursework and 36 hours of graduate-level COMM coursework. After completing 12 hours of COMM electives, special credit will be awarded at the undergraduate level and will apply toward the undergraduate program requirements.
You must earn a C or better in all major courses.
To be eligible for the Communication Studies JUMP option with the Master of Arts in Communication, students must:
At least 18 hours in the major must be completed at the 300 and 400 level; at least six hours must be completed at the 400-level.
Additional credit hours could indicate a second major, minor, or certificate. A minimum of 120 credit hours is required to graduate.
To apply to the University of Southern Indiana (USI) for undergraduate enrollment:
Once USI has processed your application, transcript(s) and scores (if needed), a decision will be made by Undergraduate Admissions and you will receive a notification.
Upon acceptance to USI, you'll receive detailed information about next steps, including orientation, registration and housing.
A degree in CMST supports a wide range of careers, community services and personal development opportunities. As a graduate of the CMST program, you will emerge as a proficient, critical consumer and producer of messages and interactions at the personal, social, civic and professional levels. You will be prepared to meet the current needs of business and industry leaders, who demand college graduates who demonstrate effective communication skills, problem-solving abilities and leadership experience in addition to the ability to think critically and conceptually. As a student admitted to the Joint Undergraduate-Master's Path (JUMP) program, you'll earn 12 hours of graduate-level coursework in your senior year that apply toward both your undergraduate degree and graduate degree. This accelerated path allows you the opportunity to finish both degrees in approximately 5 years.
*income information provided by O*NET Online. Occupation opportunities vary by region and experience.
The University of Southern Indiana is committed to making college accessible to those wishing to further their education by providing numerous scholarships, grants, and financial aid options to assist students in managing tuition expenses.
