The Global Education Office and the Communication, Media, and Performance Department have compiled the following information for Communication and Media Studies (COMM) majors, to assist in planning for a semester of study away. Students should let their Academic Advisor know as soon as possible about their plan to study away so they can help fit this experience into the student’s graduation plan.
Academic Planning Prior to Going Away
In order to be eligible to study away, students in the Communication and Media Studies (COMM) major must successfully complete the following courses at Allegheny prior to studying away: It is recommended that students in the Communication and Media (COMM) major should study away in the Fall or Spring semesters of their Junior Year, provided they have completed the core courses mentioned above. If COMM majors plan to study abroad in the fall semester of their Junior year, they must have it in writing, from the department chair, that they will be able to take the COMM seminar upon their return in spring, and before they start their Senior Year. The Communication and Media major requires a two-semester senior project. Therefore, students typically cannot study away during their senior year. Furthermore, Allegheny’s graduation requirements state that a student’s final 16 semester credit hours before graduation must be taken in academic residence on campus. Therefore, studying away during the second semester of the senior year is not allowed without the permission of the Dean’s Exemption Committee. For COMM students, such an appeal is only possible if they have successfully completed and defended their Senior Thesis Project in the previous semester. The junior seminar for Communication and Media (COMM) majors is usually offered in both the fall and spring terms. Therefore, students who study abroad in the junior year must take their junior seminar in the term that they are on campus, that year. Because of sabbaticals/staffing issues, students studying abroad in the fall of their junior year are advised to have written confirmation from the department chair that they will be able to take the COMM Junior Seminar in the spring. There are no course substitutes for the Junior Seminar. Students who are double-majoring must also make sure they have completed the Junior Seminar in the second major, if required, prior to their study abroad semester. It is not recommended that a student register for two Junior Seminars in the same semester. The Communication and Media major requires a two-semester senior project. Therefore, students cannot study away during their senior year. The following courses in the Communication and Media Studies major cannot be taken during a study away program: Successfully Complete the Following Courses Before Studying Away
When should I study away?
Plan Around Your Junior Seminar/Senior Project
Courses that Must Be Taken on Campus
How Studying Away Counts Towards the Major
Students in the Communication and Media (COMM) major should focus on coursework for the 200-level topics section of the major while studying away. These include:
- COMM-235 Advanced Public Speaking,
- COMM-251 Gender and Popular Culture,
- COMM-256 Politics and Communication,
- COMM-261 The Business of Media,
- COMM-281 Integrated Marketing, and
- a suitable course on Digital media that, with prior departmental approval, may be substituted for one of the 200-level topics courses.
Students in the COMM major can transfer in 8-course credits from department-approved study away coursework toward major requirements. Approval must be obtained prior to the student registering for courses in the study-abroad program.
Suggested Programs for COMM Majors in the Communication and Media Studies Department
All Communication and Media students must consult with the Communication, Media and Performance department at Allegheny College to make sure that the study abroad courses they plan to transfer back meet the departmental requirements and are pre-approved to count towards the COMM Major/Minor.
The following is a highlighted list of sponsored study away programs that have approved coursework for the COMM major:
| Program Name | Distinguishing Features |
| England: Lancaster University | Students can take courses in Film, Media and Cultural Studies, advertising, marketing, marketing research, digital marketing, social media marketing, brand strategy, and consumer behavior. COMM students should get department pre-approval for 200-level topics courses they plan to transfer towards the COMM major/minor. |
| Morocco: Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (Exchange) | Offers undergraduate Communication courses in New Media Technology, Global Communication and Media Policy, Public Relations Communication, Marketing Communication, and Art and Design Production. COMM students should get department pre-approval for courses they plan to transfer towards the COMM major/minor. |
| USA: American University (The Washington DC Semester Program) | The program offers tracks in several distinct areas: American politics; public law; justice; foreign policy; peace and conflict resolution; international business and trade; economic policy; journalism; international environment and development; the arts; education policy and special education; transforming communities; and women and public policy. Each track consists of an 8-credit seminar (two courses), a 4-credit internship, and a 4-credit research project. In addition, students participating in specific programs may take national and international trips. COMM students should get department pre-approval for courses they plan to transfer toward the COMM major/minor. |
| USA: New York Arts Program (Film and Media) | Media, film and technology merge together, offering students endless internship possibilities across disciplines. Participants work alongside professional filmmakers, videographers, editors, studio engineers, composers, and test their communication skills in broadcast news or PR organizations. COMM students should get department pre-approval for courses they plan to transfer towards the COMM major/minor. |
| USA: Pennsylvania (The Philadelphia Center Program.) | Combines city living seminars, academic electives, and internships. Students usually work 32 hours/week in an internship they choose, and create individualized learning plans of action based on what they want to achieve and learn while participating in the program. COMM students can take the Internship/Field Placement Course – 8 credits / 2 units.The City Seminar and Elective course may not transfer back for COMM major/minor credit, so please check with the Communication, Media, and Performance department regarding the electives being offered at the Philadelphia Center during the semester in question. |