Communication Studies
at San Francisco State University
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies must complete a 40 unit program consisting of 6 units of lower-division courses at the 100 or 200-level or equivalent courses from a transfer institution, one 4 unit GWAR course, 8 upper-division units in Rhetorical and Performative Communication, 8 upper-division units in Social Context and Interaction in Communication, 8 elective units in Communication Studies with a COMM prefix, 4 units in Communication Inquiry, and a 2 unit Senior Seminar in Communication Studies, taken in the last semester.
Course Overview
Students must successfully complete a GWAR (Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement) class to enroll in upper-division Communication Studies courses. The major includes 8 units of electives. With advisor approval, up to 2 units of lower-division courses may be counted in the electives that were not otherwise counted in the major. Similarly, upper-division courses in Communication Studies not otherwise counted in the major may be counted in electives. Any combination of Projects in the Teaching of Communication (COMM 685), Internship in Communication Studies (COMM 695), and Independent Study (COMM 699) may be used in the electives, but none of these three courses can be repeated for credit in the major. Any course that is used to fulfill the GE Areas A or B4 requirements cannot be counted within the major; however, Fundamentals of Oral Communication (COMM 150) and GE Area A2, or equivalent courses, must be completed as prerequisites to enrollment in any upper-division course in the Communication Studies major.
SFSU Campus Life
San Francisco State University, located in the heart of Northern California, is one of the most sought-after places to study in the United States. Students are drawn to its world-class academics, diverse campus community, and unbeatable San Francisco location.
- One of the top feeder schools for employees at Apple, Google and more
- Dedicated student accommodation with meal plan
- Well-connected public transportation to the whole city
SF State is among the top 25 most diverse universities in the US – USA Today.
San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University (SF State) is one of the most desirable places to study in America. In a globally influential city that’s also home to some of the world’s biggest tech companies, students have the chance to build the connections and experience that will transform their careers.
Why choose San Francisco State University
For social mobility
U.S. News & World Report has ranked San Francisco State University 8th in the nation for social mobility in its 2024 Best Colleges list.
Student organizations
Clubs include fun topics like Anime, K-Pop, and Ultimate Frisbee; academic topics like Marketing and Cyber security; as well as cultural and religious associations.
Alumni have won Oscars
As well as 16 Oscars, SF State alumni have also won: 54 Emmys, 22 Pulitzers, 10 Grammys and 12 Tonys.
Entry Requirements for
Tawjahiya Secondary School or Azhar certificate with 60% average or 12
International Student Fees
You can find the applicable international student course fee for your chosen pathway study route listed below.
| Study Route | Tuition Fees (2025-26) |
|---|---|
| Pre-Sessional English | 6 weeks – January, May, August – $5,995 12 weeks – January, May, August – $11,990 |
| International Year One | IELTS 5.5 Entry – January, May, August – $26,000 IELTS 5.0 Entry – January, May, August – $28,500 |
| Fees are not inclusive of scholarships. All applications are subject to a non-refundable admin fee. Stated fees for International Year One do not include tuition applicable for degree course continued at the university. Pre-sessional English (PSE) fees are in addition to your pathway fee and is not available on all pathways. If PSE is required, you will progress onto the pathway programme once this has been successfully completed. Contact our admissions team for more information. | |
Scholarships at San Francisco State University
Reach out to our admissions team for details about scholarships available to you.
