Change of Major Policy
Cal Poly provides for the possibility that students may decide to change to a major other than that under which they originally were admitted to the university. The change of major process may not be initiated until a student has completed at least one quarter of instruction at Cal Poly. Each academic department has its own set of criteria students must satisfy prior to being accepted into the major. Until such time as a student has been accepted into a new major, s/he is responsible for continuing to satisfy degree progress requirements for her/his current major.
Any student wishing to change to the Communication Studies major who meets the minimum application requirements and for whom a change of major to Communication Studies appears feasible may, after consultation with the department chair, enter into an Individualized Change of Major Agreement (IMCA) with the department. By university policy, any student who enters into an IMCA with a major will be allowed a maximum of two quarters to satisfy the change of major requirements, after which the agreement expires. Students who fail to complete ICMA requirements within the two quarter timeframe cannot subsequently re-apply to the major.
Communication Studies Major Minimum Application Requirements
- Have completed a minimum of 16 graded units at Cal Poly, at least 12 units of which must be General Education coursework.
- Have satisfied all GE Area A requirements.
- Have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher for all Cal Poly General Education coursework attempted.
- Be in good academic standing (not currently on academic probation).
Individualized Change of Major Agreement Process
- Consult with the Communication Studies Department Chair regarding the feasibility of changing to the Communication Studies major.
- Provide a Projected Path to Graduation Schedule Worksheet demonstrating the feasibility of completing all outstanding degree requirements as a Communication Studies major within a maximum of 204 total units (see form below).
- Provide a Communication Studies Change of Major Worksheet (see form below).
- If a change of major appears feasible, complete an Individualized Change of Major Agreement. Select, with approval of the Department Chair, 12 units of ICMA-eligible Communication Studies coursework, at least 4 units of which must be at the 300-400 level. Applicants are responsible for having completed any necessary prerequisites prior to registering for approved courses. Approved courses may not be taken on a credit/no credit basis.
- Complete the 12 units of approved Communication Studies courses within two quarters of the ICMA start date.
- Earn a grade point average of 3.20 or higher for the 12 units of approved Communication Studies coursework.
List of ICMA-eligible courses.
- COMS 201 Advanced Public Speaking
- COMS 208 Performance of Literature
- COMS 212 Interpersonal Communication
- COMS 217 Small Group Communication
- COMS 226 Applied Argumentation
- COMS 301 Business and Professional Communication
- COMS 308 Group Performance of Literature
- COMS 311 Communication Theory
- COMS 315 Intergroup Communication
- COMS 322 Persuasion
- COMS 330 Classical Rhetorical Theory
- COMS 331 Contemporary Rhetoric
- COMS 385 Media Criticism
- COMS 416 Intercultural Communication
- COMS 418 Health Communication
- COMS 419 Media Effects
- COMS 420 Nonverbal Communication
- COMS 421 Gender and Communication
- COMS 424 Classroom Communication
- COMS 435 American Political Rhetoric
- COMS 470 Selected Advanced Topics
