University Catalog

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Technology

About This Program 

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Technology equips students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and experiences to work in the field of digital media and user experience. Our courses focus on the intersection of communication, technology, society, and people. Through individual and collaborative hands-on projects and assignments, students develop critical thinking skills to effectively identify problems and enact customized solutions for clients using industry best practices, methods, and techniques. Students’ practical knowledge is enhanced with cognitive, social, and psychological principles relating to human communication and interactive user experience. This body of knowledge enables students to analyze the design, implementation, and effects of the constantly evolving communication technology.  Grounded in the Communication discipline, students also master skills in multimedia production and the mechanics of markup and scripting languages for effective communication via interactive digital media. 

Competencies

  1. Upon completion of this major, students will have competency in understanding the history, evolution, features, and implications of information and communication technologies (ICTs)
  2. Upon completion of this major, students will have competency in expanding critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address communication issues using ICTs for users and organizations.
  3. Upon completion of this major, students will have competency in strengthening digital media skills, such as multimedia production and internet-based scripting languages, for effective and impactful content creation
  4. Upon completion of this major, students will have competency in applying concepts and principles of computer-mediated communication, user experience, and other related fields to design, develop, analyze, implement, and evaluate interactive media, such as Web sites and mobile applications
  5. Upon completion of this major, students will have competency in developing oral, written, and visual communication skills necessary for ICT-related careers

Admissions Criteria

Declaring a Major

All undergraduate students seeking to declare a major in the Department of Communication must meet the following criteria:

  • Completion of a minimum of 12 hours in residence at The University of Texas at Arlington with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25/4.0.

Students who do not meet these minimum requirements can request to be admitted as an intended major. Please see restrictions below.

Intended Major

  1. Completion of a minimum of 12 hours in residence at The University of Texas at Arlington with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0/4.0.
  2. Intended majors may enroll in up to a total of 18 hours in the Department of Communication (ADVT, BCMN, COMS, CTEC, JOUR, PCOM, PREL)
  3. Students who do not achieve a cumulative UT Arlington GPA of 2.25/4.0 by the completion of 18 hours in the Department of Communication will not be cleared to continue in the department.

Dismissal from Intended Status

Students who do not meet the requirements for declaring a Department of Communication major after completing eighteen (18) hours of communication course work will not be allowed to take additional communication courses at UT Arlington. The student will be suspended from the Department of Communication Intended status and must choose a major not offered by the Department of Communication at that time in order to remain enrolled at UT Arlington.

Curriculum

Foundations
General Core Requirements 42
Students must complete specific courses in certain core areas.
For Communication select:
RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I
and RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION II
College of Liberal Arts Core
Select two courses (1441, 1442) in any foreign language.8
UNIV 1101CAREER PREPARATION AND STUDENT SUCCESS1
or UNIV 1131 STUDENT SUCCESS
Communication Technology Specialization
COMM 2311WRITING FOR MASS MEDIA 13
COMM 3300COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY3
COMM 3303COMMUNICATION GRAPHICS3
COMM 3310COMMUNICATION LAW & ETHICS3
COMM 3315COMMUNICATION THEORY3
COMS 2302PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING3
CTEC 2350WEB COMMUNICATION DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT 13
CTEC 3320MULTIMODAL COMMUNICATION AND DESIGN 13
CTEC 3323USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN PROCESS 13
CTEC 3350WEB COMMUNICATION DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT 2 13
CTEC 4309INTERNET MARKETING COMMUNICATION 13
CTEC 4323USER EXPERIENCE RESEARCH AND INTERACTION DESIGN PRINCIPLES 13
CTEC 4350WEB COMMUNICATION DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT 3 13
Electives in the department at the 3000/4000 level 6
Minor, Certificate, or Electives
Students may complete an optional minor consisting of 18 hours, six of which must be at the 3000/4000 level in the selected minor. The minor will be selected after consulting with an advisor. Students may also complete the Certificate in Digital Media, the Certificate in Professional Communication, the Certificate in Fundraising and Nonprofit Management, or the minor may be combined with the Certificate. Students must also take electives as needed to bring the total number of credit hours to 120.24
Total Hours120
1

CTEC majors must obtain a minimum grade of C (2.0/4.0 scale) or higher in all of these classes.

Program Completion

To graduate as a major in the Department of Communication students must:

  1. Meet the UT Arlington graduation standard of a minimum GPA of 2.0/4.0.
  2. Meet the department graduation standard of a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0/4.0 in all department courses (ADVT, BCMN, COMS, CTEC, JOUR, PCOM, PREL).

Advising Resources

Advisors assist with many tasks via email:

  • Remove enrollment holds.
  • Evaluate progress and make course suggestions.
  • Assist choosing majors/minors.
  • Help enrolling/dropping courses.

For more assistance students may schedule in-person or virtual appointments in advance, thru the advising resources webpage link, or drop by our office.

Location:

126 Fine Arts Building

Email:

commadvising@uta.edu

Phone:

817-272-5760

Web:

Department of Communication Advising Resources