Majoring in Speech

Our students obtain a liberal education of considerable breadth and depth in regard to communication theory and research, and are afforded ample opportunity to develop their communicative knowledge and skills by applying theory in diverse settings. Our curriculum is organized around four fundamental areas of emphasis: human message processing, relational communication, social influence and intercultural communication.

To Become a Speech Major

After completing one or two courses in speech, you may want to consider declaring Speech as your major. If so, please take the following steps:

Become familiar with the selection of classes available in the Speech Major program by visiting the Course Description web page. You can also learn about all courses offered in the department by referring to the General Catalog.

Make an appointment to meet with an Arts and Sciences Advisor at Keller Hall 3rd floor so that you can check on CORE and language requirements and upper division credits. Ask the college advisor for a "Declaration of Major" form that you will bring when meeting with a Speech Advisor.

Come to the Speech Department office in George Hall 326 to make an appointment with a Speech Advisor. Have the advisor sign the "Declaration of Major" form and return the form to Keller Hall 3rd floor. Also, you will be asked to complete departmental forms. A GPA of 2.00 or above is required for admission as a Speech Major.
If you would like to receive a Speech Major certificate of completion from the Department of Speech, submit your request to the Department of Speech Undergraduate Chair during your graduating semester or within a month after graduation.

Requirements/Electives for the Speech Major
To graduate with a B.A. in Speech, you will need to complete 33 SPEECH credit hours of which 18 are required and 15 are non-introductory electives.

The required courses are:
SP 251 Principles of Effective Public Speaking
SP 301 (formerly 201) Introduction to Speech Communication Theories
SP 302 Research Methods
SP 364 Persuasion
SP 381 Interpersonal Relations

and at least one of the following:
SP 370 Verbal Communication
or
SP 470 Nonverbal Communication

In addition to the 18 credit hours for required courses, Speech majors also must complete 15 additional credit hours in the form of non-introductory electives. You may visit the Course Description page to view more information about these classes.

SP 280 Interviewing (3)
SP 321 Speech for Classroom Teachers (3)
SP 333 Storytelling (3)
SP 335 Story Theatre (3)
SP 351 Professional Presentations (3)
SP 352 Group Decision-Making and Leadership (3)
SP 353 Argumentation and Debate (3) (formerly 253)
SP 361 Leadership Skills (3)
SP 370 Verbal Communication (3)
SP 380 Family Communication (3)
SP 385 Culture & Communication (3)
SP 386 Special Topics in Culture and Communication (3)
SP 390 Interrogation and Interviewing (3)
SP 395 Research on Speech Behavior (3)
SP 454 Political Communication (3) (new)
SP 455 Conflict Management (3)
SP 464 Analysis of Public Communication (3)
SP 470 Nonverbal Communication (3)
SP 481 Relational Management (3) (formerly 486)
SP 490 The Helping Relationship (3)
SP 493 Teaching Speech (6)
SP 495 Health Communication (3)
SP 499 Directed Reading (V)

Notes

1. Up to six (6) credit hours of SP 499 and/or SP 399 may be taken; however, only three (3) credit hours of SP 499 or SP 399 (or a combination of the two classes) may be applied to the Speech major degree.
2. Introductory courses do not count as electives. Electives must have a prerequisite or be numbered 300 or above.
3. SP 301 (formerly 201) and SP 302 should be taken no later than the semester after the major is declared.
4. In residence policy: A minimum of 15 credit hours must be taken in the Department of Speech at UHM.

For complete Speech course listings, refer to the General Catalog.