Current Undergraduate FAQs
- What can I do with a degree in Speech Communication?
Our graduates work in Business, Media and Government in a variety of fields such as public relations, event planning, human resources, and sales to name a few. Graduates also report finding employment as media account executives, press secretaries, news writers, speech writers, and community affairs specialists. Recent graduates report they are working for Accenture, McDonald’s, Star Com, State Farm, Edelman and Associates, Lexis Nexus and Midwest Living. A number of SPCM graduates go on to graduate school or law school. For more information, go to Careers Link.
- If I have taken SPCM 111 and 112 can I get credit for 101 and 102?
Not 101, but you do get credit for 102. If you took SPCM 111/112 and are a SPCM major, you will receive three hours credit towards the major and six hours towards your degree.
- Do SPCM classes require students to give speeches?
Some do, such as SPCM 101, 111/112, 113, 211, 220, and 321, but not all. Many of our courses help you improve your oral communication skills. See courses for further information.
- What is a Major Plan of Study and Supporting Coursework?
The Major Plan of Study form lists your major courses (30 hours minimum) and supporting coursework (12-18 hours). To complete this form you need to make an appointment with an Advisor. This should be done by the second semester of your junior year. You will not be allowed to graduate without having completed this form.
The Supporting Coursework consists of 12 -18 hours of courses that reflect a student's interests outside of SPCM. Supporting coursework allows you to take classes in political science, history, business, etc…or a variety if courses from different disciplines without having to follow a specific curriculum in another field. Students may choose to use a minor or a second major for their supporting coursework.
- Does SPCM offer internships?
We offer credit for two different types of internships. SPCM 204 is a teaching internship in which a student assists an instructor with teaching a class. You must be a junior or senior and have at least a 3.5 GPA in the major and a 3.0 cumulative GPA to qualify. You do not necessarily have to have taken the course you intern for, but it helps. We recommend that qualified students interested in graduate school register for this course. To apply, download the PDF version of the application form here or go to 241 Lincoln Hall to ask for the paper version.
We also encourage our students to intern for various for-profit and non-for-profit businesses and governmental offices. For more information, contact Dr. Robert Husband (rhusband@uiuc.edu) or Jennifer Knapp (jkknapp@uiuc.edu).